Housing disputes
Your home is a sanctuary where you should feel safe and secure. However, housing disputes can turn your home into a source of anxiety. It's essential to resolve these disputes promptly, and often, legal assistance is necessary to navigate the complexities of housing law. Our Housing Solicitors are experts in this field, advocating for clients on issues involving housing associations and residents’ rights.
At QualitySolicitors, we provide free legal advice to help you understand your housing issues and explore your legal options. Housing law covers a wide range of landlord and tenant issues, from criminal damage to breach of contract, as well as matters related to homelessness, disrepair, and boundary disputes. Contact us at 0808 274 7557 for more details.
Read on to discover how housing and property solicitors can help and why their involvement is so important.
Key Services Included:
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Housing Dispute Solicitors
Housing disputes can arise for a variety of reasons. Alternative dispute resolution, including informal mediation and structured arbitration, helps resolve issues without litigation. Our solicitors offer conditional fee agreements, allowing you to pursue claims without upfront costs. We advise on the best course of action and, if necessary, prepare and advocate for you in court.
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Landlord Disputes
Landlord and tenant issues can arise for many reasons, including when either party breaches their contract or when their interests conflict. Common disputes relate to the extension or forfeiture of the tenancy agreement, repairs, eviction, deposits, late payments, and access to common areas. Housing solicitors can expertly advise you on any landlord housing law issue, including the formal eviction process, and can protect your interests as a landlord by drafting a watertight rental contract that is right for you.
Additionally, local authorities have legal obligations and responsibilities concerning housing, such as adhering to court rulings on housing duties, allocation schemes, and property maintenance.
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Leasehold Disputes
Housing leasehold agreements detail the terms of one party living in a property for a specified amount of time in exchange for specified regular payments being made to the owner – the lessee only ‘owns’ the property for a fixed number of years. Housing associations also play a crucial role in managing rental properties and maintaining property conditions to ensure they are safe and habitable for tenants.
Disputes can arise in the form of lease forfeiture and extension, service charges, access or repairs, among others. Housing experts can draft pre-action letters, advise on your rights and responsibilities under the Housing Act and instruct other building experts, such as surveyors and architects.
Housing solicitors can also advise you on your leasehold rights and responsibilities, such as whether you’re able to make alterations to the property or apply to extend your lease and mitigate the risk of disputes further down the line.
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Tenancy Disputes
Landlord and tenancy disputes can be delicate and highly stressful, and they can escalate quickly if legal assistance is not sought early on. Common disputes relate to the extension or forfeiture of the tenancy agreement, repairs, unlawful eviction, payments, deposits, and common area access. Social housing associations also play a crucial role in providing legal support for clients facing housing discrimination and challenges with accommodation.
Housing solicitors can offer legal advice and practical support on these property issues and more, including security deposits or unlawful eviction and the most common types of tenancy: joint, assured freehold, and fixed-term. They can also check your tenancy agreement to ensure that it is fair and legally sound and that it meets your individual needs, protecting your financial interests.
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Boundary Disputes
The law surrounding boundary lines is confusing and complex and requires legal expertise. Solicitors specialising in boundary disputes can guide you through the legal process using straightforward language with no legal jargon.
Many boundary disputes revolve around a new fence installation, outbuilding, or overhanging tree branches straying over the perceived line of a property. These disputes can often be resolved amicably and fairly, often without litigation, and housing specialists can help you make informed decisions about your options.
Our specialist solicitors can also review property deeds and other legal documents, gather evidence, and, if necessary, represent you in court.
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Neighbour Disputes
Living in close proximity to others means that disagreements or anti-social behaviour may arise – when they do, it is best to address the issue before it becomes more serious.
Housing lawyers are experienced in these types of disputes and can help you stay on good terms with your neighbours without the need to go to court, liaising with both sides, gathering evidence, and advising you on your options.
Specialists in this area can give advice and practical support regarding nuisance and antisocial behaviour, excessive noise and verbal abuse, as well as car parking and boundary issues. If court proceedings are necessary, they can guide you through each step of the process.
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Possession Proceedings
As a landlord, speaking directly to your tenant to address any underlying issues is advised before taking steps to recover possession of your property. Similarly, tenants should communicate with their landlord to try and resolve any minor problems. The social housing team plays a crucial role in providing legal assistance and improving living conditions for clients, particularly those facing vulnerabilities in their areas of living. However, if the landlord–tenant relationship irrevocably breaks down, a housing solicitor can guide you through the process of possession recovery:
- Tenants are provided with a Section 8 or Section 21 Housing Act 1988 notice specifying the date by which the landlord would like them to leave the property.
- If the tenant does not leave the property by the specified date, the landlord can apply to the court for a possession order. Housing solicitors can help either party by managing the paperwork and ensuring the process is followed correctly. The tenant has the opportunity to submit a defence to the court before the hearing, and both parties will be given the hearing date.
- There will be a possession hearing, at which a judge will decide whether to make a possession order or give other case management directions.
- If the possession order is granted, the tenant must leave by the date on the order or apply for an order suspension. Failure to leave or suspend can result in a warrant or writ of possession being granted, allowing a county court bailiff or high court eviction officer to evict the tenant from the property with 14 days’ notice.
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Key Qualities of Housing Law Solicitors
Sourcing the right legal help for your individual needs is imperative. You should have trust in your solicitor and expect to be kept informed at every stage of the process. Searching for a solicitor can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but there are ways to make the process easier.
Word of mouth is the best performance indicator for expert solicitors, so be sure to check solicitors’ reputations by reading reviews and testimonials and by speaking to friends and family and asking for recommendations. Furthermore, ensure that the solicitor has the relevant qualifications and credentials to act on your behalf.
Understanding a solicitor’s fee structure allows you to budget accordingly and make decisions on what actions to take. Ensure there is a clear expectation between you and your housing solicitor of what you pay for and when you pay for it, preventing any unwanted financial surprises.
Ensure you exchange all the necessary contact details with your housing solicitor so that you can be kept updated easily and regularly. Your solicitor is there to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible and give you the best chance of legal success, so excellent communication is key.
Why Choose Quality Solicitors?
At QualitySolicitors we have successfully helped many people resolve a wide range of housing disputes from problems with neighbours or landlords to dealing with tenancy issues or planning disputes. If you’re facing eviction or repossession, we can provide support and advice to help you remain in your home.
QualitySolicitors are specialist housing solicitors near you who are committed to taking on challenging cases and providing valuable support for vulnerable clients.When you talk to our legal team, we will explain you about current housing law and your rights and support you through the next steps. Together we’ll tackle any concerns you may have and act quickly to reduce the anxieties you are facing.
Our housing solicitors are experts in all areas of property law and are here to provide the help and guidance you need. Our free initial assessment promise means you can chat to us about your own particular case with no obligations, so call us today on 08082747557 and find out how we can help you.