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Disputes between landlords and tenants can be stressful, whether they involve residential or commercial properties.
At TV Edwards, our landlord and tenant dispute solicitors provide solutions adapted for the case at hand, protecting the rights of our clients and ensuring that disputes are settled fairly.
What are Landlord and Tenant Disputes?
When there are disagreements over tenancy agreements, rent arrears, property conditions, or possession claims, landlord and tenant disputes might arise.
When they do, the landlord and tenant dispute solicitors at TV Edwards help both sides navigate the conflict and come to a satisfactory resolution, regardless of whether residential leases or commercial properties are involved.
Here are some common issues that lead to landlord and tenant disputes:
Here are some common issues that lead to landlord and tenant disputes:
- Rent Arrears or Non-Payment Disputes: If a tenant fails to pay their rent on time, a landlord might face financial difficulties, which can lead to disputes that can then escalate to possession claims. Our landlord and tenant dispute solicitors can help recover any arrears through negotiation or legal action, helping landlords get back what they’re owed.
- Breaches of Tenancy Agreements: Lease terms can be violated if a tenant causes damage, makes unauthorised alterations, or sublets without permission. Landlords can also violate these terms by failing to meet repair obligations. In these situations, legal intervention can be required.
- Possession Claims: If a landlord wishes to sell their property or make personal use of it, they will need to reclaim it. The same goes for if there are tenant breaches due to anti-social behaviour. These possession claims can be complex.
- Lease Disputes: When disagreements arise over lease terms, relationships between landlords and tenants can strain. For commercial leases, disputes may involve the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, whereas a residential lease might face issues with assured shorthold tenancies. TV Edwards’ landlord and tenant dispute solicitors guide clients through negotiations or tribunal applications to resolve these conflicts.
- Deposit Disputes: It’s common for tenants and landlords to clash over deposit deductions, especially if they disagree over damages or cleaning costs. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, deposits must be protected in a scheme, and disputes can be resolved through adjudication.
- Leveraging expertise in UK property law, our team resolves disputes fairly and satisfactorily. If you’re a landlord looking to recover possession we’ll give you clear, actionable, empathetic advice to help you achieve the right outcome.
Contact us to discuss your case.
Why Disputes Arise?
If miscommunication, unclear lease terms, or financial pressures are present, disputes can start. For example, if a property is in disrepair, a tenant may withhold rent, while landlords may seek possession for non-payment.
Without legal intervention, these conflicts can escalate, which leads to costly and time-consuming court proceedings.
Additionally, external factors such as economic volatility can exacerbate tensions, creating an environment where, for example, a tenant can no longer afford to meet rent obligations, or a landlord faces increased financial difficulties.
We employ proven strategies to de-escalate these strains early, while our alternative dispute resolution methods can help avoid litigation.
When to Seek Legal Advice?
When you’re facing a dispute, early legal advice is crucial. If you’re a landlord, consult a landlord and tenant dispute solicitor before issuing a notice.
If you’re a tenant, seek help if you think you might be evicted. With prompt action, you can stop a dispute escalating and keep your rights protected.
Not only that, but addressing it before it reaches court can save you a great deal of time and money. Our team will keep you fully informed every step of the way.
Related Dispute Resolution Services
How We Handle Landlord and Tenant Disputes
TV Edwards’ landlord and tenant dispute solicitors provide comprehensive support for landlords and tenants, whether they’re involved in residential or commercial disputes.
Our aim is to resolve these conflicts efficiently, minimising stress, cost, and time spent. Our process includes:
- Case Assessment: In order to understand the dispute in question, we’ll review your tenancy agreement, notices, and any relevant correspondence.
- Legal Advice: We’ll explain your rights under laws like the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 or Housing Act 1988.
- Notice Service: If you’re a landlord, we’ll make sure that notices (such as Section 8 or Section 21) are legally compliant.
- Negotiation: We use mediation to settle disputes, drawing on our injunctions expertise to secure immediate, interim solutions if needed.
- Court Representation: If it’s absolutely necessary to litigate, we’ll represent you robustly through the court.
- Post-Resolution Support: We’ll assist you with enforcing orders or recovering costs.
For Landlords Seeking Possession
If you’re a landlord and your tenant has breached their tenancy agreement, you may need to recover possession.
Similarly, if you wish to sell the property or recover it for personal use, you’ll need the tenant to vacate the property. Here are the steps to recover possession:
- Serve a notice on the tenant (e.g., Section 21 for no-fault eviction or Section 8 for breaches like rent arrears).
- If the tenant does not comply, you can file a possession claim in the County Court.
- You’ll then need to attend a hearing where the court may grant a possession order or bailiff enforcement (if required).
If you’re a commercial landlord and a tenant fails to vacate your property after the expiry of the lease, you can apply for possession under Section 25 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Alternatively, you can seek forfeiture under the Law of Property Act 1925.
Advice for Tenants
For tenants who have received a Section 8 or Section 21 notice, TV Edwards housing team can provide actionable advice on defences, such as invalid notices or disrepair claims, in order to protect your tenancy rights.
Our approach ensures clarity and fairness, as seen in our case studies.
Common Landlord and Tenant Disputes
There is a wide range of conflicts that can come up during tenancies, each of which the TV Edwards team is experienced in and can offer advice on. Beyond possession claims, here are some other common disputes that can arise:
- Unlawful Eviction: If a landlord tries to evict a tenant without following legal procedures
- Harassment Claims: Tenants facing harassment, which might be in the form of landlords cutting off utilities or entering the property without permission, can seek legal solutions like injunctions.
- Rent Repayment Orders: If a landlord fails to license a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) under the Housing Act 2004, tenants are able to apply for rent repayment of up to 12 months’ worth.
- Disrepair Disputes: It’s possible to claim compensation if a landlord fails to fix any repairs, such as leaks or heating issues, under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
- Service Charge Disputes: In commercial tenancies, disputes over excessive service charges are resolvable through negotiation or tribunal applications.
Legal guidance is essential in these disputes, as complex regulations can be difficult to navigate, and securing a fair outcome harder still. Contact us to see how we can help.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
- Highly ranked in legal directories – Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK
- Proven success – A track record of securing favourable settlements and court wins
- Cost-effective solutions – We prioritise practical resolutions to keep costs manageable
- Specialist expertise – Dedicated teams for commercial, civil and property litigation
- Client-first approach – Clear, honest legal advice from start to finish
Client Testimonials
Landlord and Tenant Dispute Frequently Asked Questions
What are landlord and tenant disputes?
In short, conflicts between landlords and tenants, which can arise as a result of rent arrears, possession claims, or lease disagreements.
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Breaches of tenancy agreements, property disrepair, or eviction proceedings will often be involved in these disputes. TV Edwards’ landlord and tenant dispute solicitors give legal advice and representation, helping clients resolve their issues fairly and satisfactorily.
How can landlord and tenant dispute solicitors help?
Solicitors can provide legal advice, serve notices, negotiate settlements, and represent clients in court.
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Our landlord and tenant dispute solicitors assist with possession claims, rent recovery, and lease disputes, while maintaining compliance with UK laws like the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
What are the steps in a possession claim?
You can expect a possession claim to look like this:
- Serve a notice.
- File a claim in court.
- Attend a hearing for a possession order.
Landlords must serve a Section 8 or Section 21 notice. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord then files a claim. In response, the court may issue a possession order or bailiff enforcement.
How long does a possession claim take?
6-16 weeks on average, though this is dependent on court schedules and tenant responses.
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For a standard claim, 6-8 weeks is typical, but contested cases may extend to 12 weeks or beyond. Our solicitors expedite the process by ensuring notices and filings are legally sound, which reduces delays.
Can I sue my landlord for harassment in the UK?
Yes. If your landlord has acted unlawfully, such as cutting utilities or entering the property without permission, you can sue them.
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Tenants can seek damages or injunctions under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 if harassed by their landlord. Our landlord and tenant dispute solicitors will assess your case and pursue appropriate remedies to stop the harassment and secure compensation.
To see how we can help you, contact our team, and we’ll take you through it, step-by-step.
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