We provide tenancy legal services for tenants and landlords. Either way, the sums involved are usually relatively small but tenants need a safe roof over their head and landlords need cash flow, so it is usually best to negotiate a solution before anyone makes themselves ill with the stress of it.
Problems arise when tenants expect a home for nothing or landlords expect to escape doing repairs, and not surprisingly arrears and disrepair go hand in hand.
The relationship of landlord and tenant is one of trust and parties may have to do business for years to come, so politely reminding the other side of their obligations is the best start. Only if they refuse to see sense do we wheel out weapons like injunctions and council involvement.
Sometimes we need to work out what kind of occupier are you, perhaps a tenant, licensee, trespasser or maybe you are “holding over” after a tenancy expired. This depends largely on “exclusive possession”.
If you genuinely have the right to exclude the landlord you are probably a tenant. Judges tend to ignore sham documents like contracts saying the landlord is allowed to share your bedroom.
If a tenancy, we look at what sort, perhaps assured shorthold or secure. There may be covenants you can use or which can be used against you.
Our typical tenancy legal services areas include issues with arrears, deposit, harassment, eviction, disrepair and rent reviews.
