Learn more about solicitors that deal with housing
Solicitors that deal with housing are specialists who help landlords and tenants resolve disputes.
These disputes might be between one another. For example, they might involve a tenant whose rent is in arrears or whose anti-social behaviour means they need to be evicted. They might involve a housing disrepair claim against a landlord.
A landlord or tenant may also have a dispute with another party, perhaps a neighbour or the owner of an adjoining property.
In both cases, a housing lawyer will have just the kind of knowledge and expertise you need to resolve the situation to your satisfaction.
To be connected to a specialist housing solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
Here is everything you need to know about using solicitors for housing issues you might be experiencing:
What Is Housing Law In The UK?
In the UK, housing law covers a broad range of issues and areas relating to housing regulation, fitness, licensing, building work, homelessness, and tenancy agreements (and the problems that can arise from them).
Tenancy agreements come in various types. Assured and non-assured. Excluded. Company lets. Regulated. The AST, the Assured Shorthold Tenancy. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and things that can go wrong.
UK housing law tries to ensure that everyone involved in building, buying, leasing, renting, and actually living in properties has rights that are protected as much as possible.
What Does A Housing Lawyer Do?
It is a housing lawyer’s job to represent one or other of the parties involved in litigation related to housing law. Their clients may include private landlords, housing associations, Local Authority landlords, and a wide range of tenants. They may act as:
- Counsel for the defendant – this may include handling cases involving damage to the property and other breaches of tenancy agreements.
- Counsel for the plaintiff – this may involve defending against illegal eviction threats or housing disrepair claims.
What Is A Landlord Solicitor?
A landlord solicitor specialises in dealing with housing law cases from the side of the landlord. This is the person – or sometimes the organisation – renting or leasing a property to someone else, the tenant. The work of a landlord solicitor will regularly involve:
- Ensuring landlords know and can easily abide by their legal responsibilities
- Protecting landlords from the actions of unreliable or unruly tenants
- Taking action to collect rent that is in arrears
- Defending landlords from spurious claims, such as in property disrepair cases used to stall eviction proceedings
- Re-possessing properties and evicting tenants from homes in the worst cases
What Makes A Good Housing Solicitor?
If you are trying to choose a good housing solicitor, the simplest thing to do is get in touch with us on 0845 1391399 or make a Free Online Enquiry. Solicitors Near Me can find you the right expert for your needs for FREE and with no obligation.
When you do reach out to a specific solicitor that deals with housing, you should aim to:
- Talk to them personally – to make sure you get to know your solicitor a little and be confident you can build a good working relationship. A solicitor who asks a lot of questions about your case is probably a good sign.
- See how keen they are to represent you – you want your lawyer to want your case. Smaller law firms can often give you more personalised service. Some major and mid-sized firms may have grown larger for a good reason.
- Get a sense of their communication style – property cases can be stressful. It’s either your living situation or a major investment that’s on the line, after all. This can be ameliorated by a lawyer who will actively stay in communication and update you throughout the process.
- Check they will work for you – it’s not impossible that a housing solicitor will only work with a certain type of landlord. For example, Local Authorities. Do check that they cover private landlords or whatever you happen to be.
- Ask for their opinion of your chance of success – most lawyers don’t want to back a losing case. Explore what they think of the strength of your position.
How Much Do Solicitors That Deal With Housing Charge?
Every solicitor charges differently for their services. Some charge by the hour. Others have fixed fees for things like sending a legal Letter Before Action (sometimes enough to prompt late rent payments, for example).
In all cases, you should request a free quote and make sure you know of any possible extra charges – for example, for court appearances that may be required later down the line.
We can help you get exactly that. Tell us what you need from a solicitor that deals with housing today – by getting in touch with us on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry – and we’ll find you a suitable specialist for zero cost.