The right agreement depends on the property and how you’re letting it, but most private residential lettings in England use an assured shorthold tenancy. Choosing the wrong type, or using a vague agreement, can leave you exposed if a dispute arises later. Brockbanks Solicitors helps you choose and draw up the right kind of tenancy agreement, and explains the legal issues that come with it, so you start the let on a sound footing.

A landlord generally cannot lawfully remove a tenant without following the correct legal process, which usually means serving the right notice and, if the tenant doesn’t leave, applying to the court for a possession order. Taking matters into your own hands can amount to an unlawful eviction, which carries serious consequences. Brockbanks Solicitors advises you on how to end an agreement properly and lawfully, protecting you from costly mistakes.

The notice you must give depends on the type of tenancy and the reason for ending it, and the periods and procedures are set by law and can change. Getting the notice period or the paperwork wrong is one of the most common reasons possession claims fail. The rules in this area are also changing, so what’s required today may not be the same tomorrow. Brockbanks Solicitors keeps on top of the current law, makes sure your notice is correct and properly served, and gives you the best chance of a smooth outcome.

Landlords have a range of legal obligations that typically include keeping the property safe and free from serious hazards, making sure gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained, providing an Energy Performance Certificate, protecting the tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme, checking the tenant’s right to rent, and fitting working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. There are also rules about the information you must give a tenant at the start of a tenancy, and some of these requirements are changing. A small oversight, such as an incorrect notice or an unclear agreement, can lead to fines or a drawn-out dispute. Brockbanks Solicitors gives you clear, proactive advice on meeting your current obligations, so problems are prevented rather than fought over later.

If a tenant falls into rent arrears, you have legal routes to recover what you’re owed and, where appropriate, to seek possession of the property, but each route has its own procedure and timing. Acting early and correctly gives you the best chance of resolving things without a long, expensive dispute. Brockbanks Solicitors will advise you on the strongest approach for your situation and help you take the right steps.

Whether you have a single property or a large portfolio, the easiest first step is to get in touch and explain your situation. You can call our Whitehaven office on 08081 965462, request a callback through our website, or book a meeting at one of our offices across Cumbria. Brockbanks Solicitors will then talk you through your options and make sure you’re making the right decisions for your investment.