for landlords, estate agents, property management, maintenance, build to rent and student accommodation

Property dispute solicitors

We are proud to have a team of expert property dispute solicitors through which we represent some of the leading businesses in the property industry.

Handling property disputes ¶

Our property dispute solicitors act for landlords and estate agents among others, providing legal support to clients needing assistance with unpaid rent, possession claims and evictions, unpaid or disputed estate agency fees and unpaid or disputed property management services.

We work hard to understand our clients' goals, and attitudes to risk, so we can provide effective solutions tailored to our clients' needs.

Often, we are able to resolve issues for our clients without the need for court proceedings. However, where necessary, we will issue court proceedings and take enforcement action on our clients' behalves, guiding them throughout the process.

We have systems that efficiently manage bulk claims on behalf of larger businesses (with reporting systems, and secure transfers of bulk data) and can also help individual clients who have single claims.

Property dispute solicitors for possession claims ¶

Our property dispute solicitors act for landlords (either directly, or via estate agencies or debt collection agencies) who wish to recover their property from tenants, whether this is following unpaid rent, service charge or ground rent, damage, or those who simply want their property back.

Between our property dispute and litigation solicitors, we offer a full-service, from drafting and serving the appropriate notice on the tenant, issuing and dealing with possession proceedings, right through to drafting the warrant for possession and liaising with court appointed bailiffs.

We are also able to liaise with a third-party property recovery agent to facilitate taking physical possession of the property, and arrange for the locks to be changed.

What our clients say

Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward

Harwood & Co are friendly and approachable, and I feel I can always pick up the phone if I need some advice - Denise Martin

Redwood Collections

We have complete trust that any client who chooses to engage with Harwood & Co will be looked after with professionalism and integrity, and can expect the best possible outcome - Stuart North

Wilson & Co

After 15 years of using Harwood & Co for debt recovery and more complex litigation, I highly endorse their services - David Wilson

Property dispute solicitors for estate agents and auction houses ¶

Our property dispute and litigation solicitors act for estate agents and auction houses in the recovery of their fees from clients - those who have used their services in relation to marketing their property to sell or rent.

We act for estate agents in their capacity as property managers for landlords, in the recovery of management fees. Our team also assists estate agents with claims brought against them.

Finally, estate agents, as part of their property management service, may help their landlord clients by finding them a solicitor to help evict tenants or recover unpaid rent, and many agents seek our assistance with that.

for property disputes

FAQs ¶

Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below. If your question is not answered in our FAQs, please get in touch with our team by filling out the enquiry form on our contact page or calling us on 0113 245 7027.

How quickly can I get my property back? ¶
This will depend on the grounds of possession to be relied upon, and which notice is served on the tenant. Sometimes, possession claims can take as little as three months, but if complications arise, it can take longer. Our property dispute solicitors would be happy to review your circumstances and have a free, no obligation conversation, during which we can propose next steps. costs and likely timescales.
Does there need to be rent arrears to remove a tenant from a property who is renting under an assured shorthold tenancy? ¶
There is a procedure involving the service of a 'section 21 notice' which allows landlords to recover possession of their property even if rent is paid in full. However, there are caveats. For example, the process cannot be followed in the first four months of a tenancy, the notice can only be served to expire at or beyond the date of expiry of the contractual term of the tenancy, and there are various requirements that need to be met such as providing an EPC certificate, gas safely certificate, how to rent guide etc.
Our property litigation and dispute solicitors will look at your specific circumstances and advise you whether you are able to evict your tenant under the section 21 process. We will then help you take steps to serve a section 21 notice, and obtain possession of the property for you if you are able to do so.
Please note there is proposed legislation to abolish this procedure, but at the date of writing it is still in effect.
Can I recover my legal costs associated with my possession claim from a tenant? ¶
It is normally possible to seek at least some of your legal costs from your tenant, under either the court rules, or, if you have a clause of your tenancy agreement that allows this. However, the level of costs you may claim depends on the wording of your tenancy agreement.
Ultimately, and whether a costs award is made, and what amount, is at the discretion of the Courts. We can help you by reviewing your tenancy agreement for you, and we will advise you as to what costs may be sought.

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How can we support you? ¶

There are many ways we can work to support and advise estate agents and auction houses. Examples of common disputes in the industry include circumstances where a transaction does not go as planned, or circumstances where a buyer views the same property with multiple agents. With house purchases often being the most stressful transaction in a person's life, we understand that disputes can sometimes be emotionally charged. ¶

Our property dispute solicitors have a wealth of expertise in working with agents to resolve issues by thoroughly examining the terms of each contract, and the evidence at hand, before advising on the most cost effective method of dispute resolution. ¶

Get in touch

Meet the team

Carol Hagan

Senior Litigation Executive

Gareth Allen

Head of Client Relations

Ian Callaghan

Associate (Paralegal)

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Submit a new claim ¶

Please fill in this form with as much detail as possible. You will then be contacted by a member of our team who will review your submission, set out proposed next steps, and provide a cost estimate for them. Alternatively, you can call us on 0113 245 7027.