Property and Insolvency Solicitors
Whether you’re a commercial property landlord facing a tenant who can’t pay, or a tenant dealing with a landlord’s insolvency, the situation can unravel quickly, and the wrong move early on can cost you. Our property and insolvency solicitors across Manchester, Sale and Chester give you clear, practical advice on where you stand and what to do next.
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Alternatively, talk to one of our team members on 0330 111 3131 or via our online enquiry form.
What is property insolvency?
Property insolvency isn’t a single legal process, it’s a term that covers situations where insolvency affects a property arrangement, usually a tenancy. That might mean a tenant who can no longer meet their rent obligations, or a landlord whose debts have led to bankruptcy or a company entering administration. In either case, the insolvency doesn’t cancel the tenancy overnight, but it does change who is responsible for what, and acting quickly matters.
Property insolvency services we offer
Advice for landlords dealing with tenant insolvency
When a tenant enters insolvency — whether that’s administration, liquidation or bankruptcy — your options as a landlord change overnight. We help landlords understand exactly where they stand, recover unpaid rent where possible, and decide whether to forfeit the lease, pursue guarantors or negotiate with an insolvency practitioner.
Protecting your position when a commercial tenant becomes insolvent
Commercial tenant insolvency can affect everything from your cash flow to your long-term property plans. We advise on Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR), lease forfeiture, and how to handle administrators or liquidators who may want to disclaim or assign the lease.
Advice for residential tenants when a landlord becomes insolvent
If your landlord has been made bankrupt, your tenancy doesn’t simply end, but your situation does become more complicated. We help residential tenants understand their rights, deal with a trustee in bankruptcy and protect their home.
Advice for commercial tenants facing landlord insolvency
A landlord’s insolvency can leave commercial tenants uncertain about who to pay rent to, whether their lease is secure and what happens next. We give businesses clear, practical guidance on their obligations and how to safeguard their position.
Lease disclaimers and vesting orders
When an insolvency practitioner disclaims a lease, the consequences for both landlords and tenants can be serious. We help clients understand the impact of a disclaimer and, where appropriate, apply to court for a vesting order to protect their interest in the property.
Restructuring and negotiated solutions
Formal insolvency proceedings aren’t always the only route. We work with both landlords and tenants to explore negotiated solutions, including rent deferrals, lease variations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), that avoid unnecessary cost and disruption.
How the dilapidations process works
- Initial advice
You tell us your situation and we assess your position honestly, including options you may not have considered. Speed matters here as insolvency processes move quickly and early advice often opens doors that close later.
- Reviewing the lease and insolvency process
We examine the tenancy or lease agreement alongside the type of insolvency involved. The two interact in ways that aren’t always obvious, and the wrong assumption at this stage can limit your options significantly.
- Agreeing a strategy
We set out your realistic options, the risks attached to each and our recommended approach. You make the final call, we make sure it’s an informed one.
- Taking action
Whether that means negotiating with an insolvency practitioner, pursuing arrears or protecting your tenancy, we handle the legal process and keep you updated throughout.
Why choose Slater Heelis for dilapidations
Experience across both disciplines
Property and insolvency are two areas of law that need to work together — and not every firm has genuine depth in both. Our solicitors understand how different insolvency processes affect leases, landlord remedies and tenant rights, and we act for both sides, so we know how the other party is likely to approach things. Whether you’re a landlord trying to recover rent or a tenant trying to hold on to your home or business premises, we’ll give you a straight assessment of where you stand.
Local solicitors who know the area
We’re based in Manchester, Sale and Chester, and we’re well placed to advise on property and insolvency matters across the country. These situations often involve real financial pressure on both sides, so it helps to have local solicitors who understand the property market and can meet you face-to-face when you need to talk things through. We also have experience working nationwide.
Recognised excellence you can trust
We’re listed in The Times Best Law Firms for 2026, and The Legal 500 recognises us as one of the leading firms in the North West. With over 1,400 reviews and an average rating of 4.9/5 on ReviewSolicitors, our clients trust us enough to recommend us to their families and friends.
If you’re a landlord dealing with an insolvent tenant, or a tenant uncertain about your position following a landlord’s insolvency – our team is here to help.
Call us on 0330 111 3131 or get in touch through our online enquiry form to speak with our property and insolvency solicitors.
We’re based in Manchester, Sale, and Chester with offices open for face-to-face meetings, and we also work with clients across the UK. You’ll get regular updates at every stage while we handle all the legal work and take the pressure off you during what’s already a stressful situation.
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