When to Seek Legal Advice as a Landlord

Getting legal advice as a landlord in the United Kingdom is something many people need to do, but before going to a firm of solicitors, it is often prudent to do a little research into a subject matter yourself. If you are a member, the UK Residential Landlord Association would be the first place to go. Run by and for landlords, the association specializes in offering any kind of advice to their members and can even help them find good legal representation should the need arise.

When Not to Seek Legal Advice

Being a landlord isn’t only about owning the property and collecting the rent. With it comes responsibilities and before seeking any legal advise it’s worth a landlord making sure the problem isn’t being caused by him not fulfilling those responsibilities. For example, if a tenant is withholding rent because the property is lacking a basic amenity such as hot water, it would be pointless spending money on legal advice as a little research will tell the landlord he or she is liable for this problem.

When to Seek Legal Advice

If rent arrears occur, it is often worth being a little patient with a tenant as long as they show some willingness to pay. However if the arrears are not paid within a reasonable timeframe, especially if they are accumulating, there comes a point when a solicitor may be needed to give legal advice. In this case, an expert can advise on whether it would be best topursue the owed money through the courts or cut your losses and just evicting the tenant, (often the best option as a result of potentially high legal fees).

If in doubt, it is usually best to play safe and get legal advice. Even a seasoned landlord who’s been in the business for years can’t know everything about tenancy laws. A law firm with specialists in this kind of law will have all the information they need on hand (including access to up to date law changes and court rulings) ready to answer any questions you might have.

Where to Seek Legal Advice

There are a number of options for landlords seeking legal advice. The first place to turn would be the UK Residential Landlord Association, who will have staff who are able to offer advice on most common issues, and advise on where to turn and how to proceed on more complicated ones. For those who are not members of the UK Residential Landlord Association, they can go direct to a private solicitor or legal firm and pay for the legal advice required.