How we can help
At Slater Heelis, with specialists in this area of the law, Daniel Stern and his team provide wise, cost-effective and strategically sound advice and guidance for our clients. Agreeing a tailored approach to each situation at the outset is extremely important to us and our clients.
Commercial disputes
We deal with many landlord and tenant disputes relating to commercial properties. These commonly include:
- Dilapidation claims – when damage or disrepair is discovered by the landlord, commonly at the end of the lease
- Breach of covenant – when a tenant fails to comply with the terms of the lease
- Commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR) – helping you recover unpaid rent by serving prior notice of seizure to the tenant
- Forfeiture and recovery of possession – taking your property back if the tenant fails to pay rent or breaches covenants
- Lease renewal disputes
- Rent review disputes
- Service charge disputes/recovery
Residential disputes
Renting domestic properties is commonplace in the UK now. As a result, legal issues between tenants and landlords are more frequent than ever, including:
- Breach of covenant – when a tenant fails to comply with the terms of the lease
- Possession claims – taking back the property if rent is not paid or covenants are not performed
- Service charges
- Rent arrears
- Property damage, maintenance & repairs
- Rental deposits
- Eviction notices
FAQs
Who do you work with?
We provide legal support for landlords and tenants, so regardless of what side of the dispute you’re on, we’re here to help. We have substantial experience with both commercial and residential property, too.
I’m having an issue with my tenant/landlord, what should I do?
Regardless of whether you’re the tenant or landlord, you should begin by raising the issue with the other party in a calm, sensible manner. You can try to resolve the problem collaboratively or, alternatively, find an agreeable compromise. Make sure to keep a record of your communications (and any agreements you make), in case you need to refer back to them later.
If the issue can’t be resolved, or the other party is proving difficult, speak to a legal advisor to get their thoughts on the matter and find out whether it’s worth pursuing legal action.
Can I evict a tenant?
There are two main routes for removing a tenant from your property: serving a Section 8 Notice or serving a Section 21 Notice. Both are used in different situations, and serving an eviction notice doesn’t necessarily mean the tenant has done anything wrong (you may just need the property back for repairs, to sell it, or to live in it yourself).
A section 8 notice is generally used where the tenant has breached the terms of the agreement (such as rent arrears) or there are discretionary grounds for removal (such as property neglect).
A section 21 notice is known as a no-fault eviction. It can only be used for tenants on Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) and must be served with at least two months’ notice. There are other requirements too – for example, you must have protected the tenant’s deposit and provided several key documents.