Landlord & Tenant Disputes
At Cocks Lloyd, we represent both landlords and tenants in disputes involving rented properties.
We have a strong reputation for resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation and mediation, thereby saving our clients the cost and stress of litigation.
When court action is unavoidable, our expertise and experience ensure that our specialist solicitors almost always secure a positive outcome for our clients. Our success in quickly and cost-effectively resolving landlord and tenant disputes has made our Residential Conveyancing Solicitors some of the busiest in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and throughout the Midlands and UK.
Based in Nuneaton city centre, we are a diverse, multi-lingual law firm that utilises best-in-class technology to offer clients streamlined, modern, and highly effective residential property advice and representation. Our extensive experience in conveyancing law has established our robust reputation for excellence with the UK’s top Barristers and King’s Counsel, Estate Agents, Independent Financial Advisers, Surveyors, and Mortgage Brokers, who can provide additional support to our Residential Conveyancing Department if needed.
We hold a Law Society Conveyancing Quality Accreditation, recognising our capability to provide quality conveyancing advice, use a regulated process to identify and reduce risk, and meet Law Society standards in delivering conveyancing services.
Below are some common questions we receive about landlord and tenant disputes.
My tenants are always late paying rent – can I evict them?
Evicting a tenant can be one of the most stressful situations for a landlord. You can rely on our Residential Landlord and Tenant Disputes Solicitors to handle the matter, providing the advice and support needed to manage this challenging process.
We encourage you and your tenant to attend mediation to establish a plan for timely rent payments and addressing any arrears. If mediation fails or the tenant refuses to participate (mediation is voluntary), you can legally evict your tenant by issuing:
- A Section 21 Notice, indicating that you will repossess the property at the end of the fixed term.
- A Section 8 Notice, if the tenant has breached the terms of the tenancy agreement, allowing you to evict them before the fixed term ends.
There are several conditions to be met when serving either a Section 21 or Section 8 Notice. Additionally, if your tenant started their tenancy before 27 February 1997, they might have an assured or regulated tenancy with additional protections. We will advise you on the best way to repossess your property and collect any outstanding rent.
My landlord refuses to fix certain things in my house – can I force them to make repairs?
Your landlord must make repairs to:
- The property’s structure and exterior
- Basins, sinks, baths, and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains
- Heating and hot water systems
- Gas appliances, pipes, flues, and ventilation
- Electrical wiring
- Any damage they cause while attempting repairs
If you live in a block of flats, your landlord is usually responsible for repairing common areas, such as staircases and entrance damage.
Withholding rent in protest of repairs not being made is not legally permitted.
There are legal methods to ensure your landlord makes the necessary repairs. Our Solicitors are skilled negotiators and can quickly identify the reasons behind your landlord’s delay. By instructing us, you can be confident that repairs will be organised without damaging your relationship with your landlord.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to return my deposit?
When you sign a Residential Tenancy Agreement, your landlord must place your deposit in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme.
If there is damage to the property, your landlord can use part or all of the deposit to pay for repairs. Deposits must be returned within 10 working days of you and your landlord agreeing on how much will be refunded.
If your landlord refuses to return your deposit or you feel they have taken too much to cover damages, the first step is to contact the tenancy deposit scheme holding your deposit and access their dispute resolution procedures. If your landlord has not placed your deposit in an approved scheme, you can bring a claim in the County Court to have your money returned.
Why Choose Us?
Regardless of whether you are a landlord or a tenant, our Solicitors will take the time to understand the reason for your dispute and work diligently to resolve it quickly. An ongoing dispute can drain your finances and peace of mind. Let us handle the situation for you.
Cocks Lloyd Solicitors provides exceptional Landlord & Tenant Disputes and Residential Conveyancing services to clients. People choose and recommend us not just in Nuneaton, Tamworth, Atherstone, Hinckley and Leicester, but across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, and the whole of the UK, because we get results.
To receive expert advice and representation regarding Landlord & Tenant Disputes and Residential Conveyancing, please contact us using the form below, call us on (0247) 6641642, email via the Request a Callback form on this contact page.