Landlord and Tenant Solicitors – Resolving Disputes with Precision and Protection
Expert solicitors for all landlord and tenant disputes
When the relationship between landlord and tenant breaks down, the law can feel confusing and unforgiving. One wrong letter, missed deadline or invalid notice can cost months of time and thousands of pounds. At Knights and Shah
Solicitors, we provide a dedicated landlord and tenant service designed to resolve disputes quickly, safely and in
a way that protects your long-term interests.
We act for both landlords and tenants, and we understand how each side thinks. That means realistic advice,
smart strategy and robust representation from the outset.
Who We Act For
- Private landlords (single properties and portfolios)
- Letting agents and managing agents
- Company and HMO landlords
- Social and council tenants
- Assured shorthold tenants and licensees
- Lodgers and occupiers in shared accommodation
- Tenants in high-value and long-term residential let
Whether you are seeking possession, defending a claim for eviction, challenging unlawful deductions, or
dealing with serious disrepair, our solicitors provide a complete service from first advice to final enforcement.
Common issues our clients bring to us when one or more of the following is happening:
- A tenant has stopped paying rent or is persistently late
- A landlord wants to regain possession of a property
- A Section 8 or Section 21 notice has been served and they are unsure if it is valid
- Deposit has not been protected or has been wrongly deducted
- Serious issues with damp, mould, leaks or unsafe electrics
- Landlord is entering the property without permission or pressuring the tenant to leave
- Tenant is causing nuisance, damage or anti-social behaviour
- There is a dispute over what was agreed in the tenancy agreement
- A letting agent has made mistakes, gone silent or disappeared
- Court proceedings have started and the client is unsure how to respond
Our role is to take control of the situation, explain your options clearly and then act decisively.
Tenancy Agreements, Rights and Obligations
A strong tenancy agreement is the foundation of every landlord–tenant relationship. We advise on:
- Drafting and reviewing assured shorthold tenancy (AST) agreements
- Company lets and licences to occupy
- HMO and multi-occupancy agreements
- Renewal, variation and termination clauses
- Landlord repair, safety and access obligations
- Tenant responsibilities for rent, damage and conduct
We identify the terms that really matter in your dispute and advise how they are likely to be interpreted by the court,
not just how they appear on paper.
Rent Arrears, Breach of Tenancy and Money Owed
Rent arrears are one of the most common reasons for disputes. We:
- Calculate and particularise arrears accurately
- Send compliant pre-action letters and arrears schedules
- Advise on Section 8 possession claims based on Grounds 8, 10 and 11
- Issue County Court proceedings for unpaid rent and service charges
- Defend tenants facing claims they believe are exaggerated or incorrect
- Negotiate realistic repayment plans where appropriate
Our focus is always on the most efficient route to recovery or resolution, without wasting costs.
Possession, Eviction Notices and Court Proceedings
If possession is necessary, it has to be done properly. We assist with:
- Drafting and serving valid Section 21 and Section 8 notices
- Advising on notice periods, deposit compliance and safety-document rules
- Accelerated possession (N5B) and standard possession (N5/N119) claims
- Defence of possession claims for tenants, including human rights and proportionality arguments
- Suspended possession orders and warrants of possession
- Transferring up to the High Court for faster enforcement where appropriate
Every notice and claim we prepare is drafted by a solicitor, ensuring it is court-ready and reducing the risk of
delays, adjournments or dismissals.
Deposits, DPS and Unlawful Deductions
Deposit disputes can be highly technical. We:
- Advise whether a deposit was correctly protected and within time
- Bring or defend penalty claims for failure to comply with deposit rules
- Challenge unfair or excessive deductions at the end of a tenancy
- Negotiate settlement where both parties wish to avoid formal proceedings
For tenants, this may mean recovering the deposit and up to three times the amount as compensation. For
landlords, it means limiting exposure and rectifying issues before they escalate.
Housing Conditions, Disrepair and Retaliatory Eviction
We act in serious housing condition cases involving:
- Damp and mould
- Water leaks and flooding
- Broken heating or hot water
- Unsafe gas or electrical installations
- Structural defects and subsidence
- Pest infestations and other hazards
Our solicitors:
- Send detailed schedule of disrepair letters
- Obtain expert reports where required
- Pursue compensation for distress, inconvenience and personal belongings damaged by disrepair
- Defend landlords accused of disrepair who have complied with their legal duties
- Challenge retaliatory eviction where tenants are served notices after requesting repairs
Harassment, Unlawful Eviction and Injunctions
Sometimes behaviour goes beyond a simple contractual dispute. We deal with:
- Landlords entering without notice or consent
- Threats, intimidation or harassment
- Changing locks without court order
- Disconnecting utilities such as gas, electric or water
- Pressure to leave without formal notice (“self-help” eviction)
We can seek urgent court orders to restore access, prevent further harassment and pursue damages for unlawful
eviction. For landlords facing allegations, we provide robust defence and crisis management.
Letting Agents, Compliance and Professional Mistakes
Letting agents often sit between landlord and tenant and sometimes create problems themselves. We advise
where:
- An agent has mismanaged rent or deposits
- Compliance documents have not been served
- Inspection or maintenance has been neglected
- Communication has broken down
- The agent has disappeared, leaving unresolved tenancies
We help landlords regain control of their property and tenants clarify who is legally responsible for what has gone
wrong.
Strategic Advice Before and During Disputes
Not every case needs to reach court. We place heavy emphasis on early strategy, including:
- Pre-action advice and risk analysis
- Without prejudice negotiations and settlement offers
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
- Drafting robust formal letters that often resolve disputes without proceedings
Where court is necessary, you will already be fully prepared, with evidence organised, legal arguments mapped out
and a clear understanding of likely outcomes.
Unlawful Profit Orders, Housing Fraud and Unlawful Subletting
Housing associations and local authorities are increasingly taking action against tenants accused of unlawfully subletting social housing or profiting from properties they were not entitled to rent out. These claims can lead to possession proceedings, substantial financial penalties and Unlawful Profit Orders under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.
We advise both landlords and tenants involved in housing fraud disputes and provide strategic representation from the earliest investigation through to court proceedings and enforcement.
We regularly assist with:
Whether you are defending an allegation of unlawful subletting or seeking recovery of unlawful profits, we provide practical advice, robust representation and a clear strategy designed to protect your position and achieve the strongest possible outcome.
How We Work With You
Clients come to us expecting three things: clarity, responsiveness and results. We deliver this through:
- Solicitor-led service – Your case is handled and supervised by qualified solicitors experienced in
landlord–tenant litigation. - Tailored strategy – No templated approach; we look at the full picture: tenancy history, documents,
personalities, timing and cost-benefit. - Transparent fees – Wherever possible we offer fixed fees for notices, initial letters and standard court
claims, with clear estimates for contested litigation. - Modern, remote service – We act for clients across England by phone, video and secure
document sharing. No need to travel to an office. - Clear communication – You will know what is happening, why it is happening and what the next step is at
every stage.
If you are facing any difficulty with a landlord, tenant or letting agent, our specialist team is ready to step in. We offer
calm, strategic guidance and robust representation tailored to your situation, whether you need urgent action or
long-term litigation support.
Contact Us
Contact us today to arrange a confidential, solicitor-led review of your case and to discuss the most
effective way forward.
