Landlords & Tenants

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, housing issues can quickly become stressful and complex. At Mascot Solicitors, we provide clear, cost-effective legal advice and representation for all aspects of landlord and tenant law, from tenancy agreements to evictions, repairs, rent arrears, and everything in between.

Our Landlords Services

We provide clear, practical advice on all aspects of landlord law, ensuring your rights and interests are fully protected

Services for Landlords

Housing Law Services

Housing Disrepair Claims

Evicting Your Tenant

Landlord Eviction Services

Tenancy Deposit Protection

Our Tenants Services

We provide clear, practical advice on all aspects of tenant law, ensuring your rights and interests are fully protected

Services for Tenants

Housing Law Services

Housing Disrepair Claims

Tenancy Agreements & Legal Advice

Harassment & Illegal Eviction

Defending Possession Claims

Services for Landlords

Protecting your property, income, and legal compliance.

As a landlord, it is vital to safeguard your investment, maintain its value, and ensure full legal compliance. At Mascot Solicitors, we provide strategic advice and representation to keep your lettings compliant and your property secure.

How We Assist Landlords

Comprehensive landlord support across all areas of housing law.

We prepare and review tenancy agreements to ensure they comply with legal requirements and protect your interests as a landlord.

Guidance on serving the correct notice to lawfully remove tenants, including rent arrears and breaches of tenancy.

Full representation in County Court possession proceedings to secure lawful possession of your property.

Assistance with accelerated possession claims where tenants fail to vacate at the end of their tenancy.

Legal action to recover unpaid rent and claims for damage caused by tenants.

Ensuring compliance with statutory deposit protection and avoiding invalid notices.

Representation in cases involving nuisance tenants and anti-social conduct.

Support with mandatory HMO licensing requirements and compliance with regulations.

Advice for landlords on Selective Licensing schemes imposed by local authorities.

How We Assist Tenants

Practical legal protection for tenants in disputes.

We bring claims against landlords who fail to carry out necessary repairs, ensuring your home is safe and habitable.

Legal defence against illegal eviction attempts and landlord harassment.

Representation to protect tenants in possession proceedings and court actions.

Support where landlords unfairly withhold or mishandle your tenancy deposit.

Clear advice on your tenancy rights, rent reviews, and renewal agreements.

We help tenants apply for injunctions to prevent landlords from acting unlawfully.

Defending tenants against eviction where landlords act in retaliation for repair requests or complaints.

Services for Tenants

Protecting your home and tenancy rights.

At Mascot Solicitors, our experienced housing and property solicitors are here to help tenants understand their rights, resolve disputes, and protect their homes. We defend against unlawful eviction, challenge poor housing conditions, and ensure landlords meet their legal obligations.

Housing Law Services

Secure and safe housing is a fundamental right, and when it is under threat, you need effective legal support. At Mascot Solicitors, our housing solicitors are here to help you understand your rights, resolve disputes, and protect your home.

How We Can Help

Full representation for landlords and tenants.

Whether you are a tenant facing eviction or a landlord dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, we provide strategic advice and representation.

If you have been refused housing or declared intentionally homeless, we can challenge decisions and advocate on your behalf.

We assist tenants in bringing claims against landlords who fail to maintain safe and habitable housing.

Guidance on applying for social housing, and legal support with reviews and appeals against local authority decisions.

Protection for tenants facing illegal eviction or intimidation from landlords.

Support in securing your right to remain in a property after a tenant has passed away or moved out.

What is Housing Disrepair?

Examples, landlord duties, and our support.

Disrepair includes any damage or deterioration that affects the condition of your rented property. Common issues include damp and mould, leaks and water damage, faulty heating or hot water, structural problems, infestations (rats, mice, cockroaches, etc.), unsafe electrical or gas appliances, damage to belongings, and impact on health.

Landlords (private or local authority) have a duty to maintain the structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water systems, plumbing, sanitation and drainage, safe electrical wiring and gas installations, and ensuring there are no infestations or moulds.

We assess the extent of the disrepair, gather evidence and expert reports, notify your landlord and seek early resolution, bring a formal legal claim if necessary, and pursue repairs, compensation, and reimbursement for damaged belongings.

We represent both tenants and landlords in County Court possession proceedings, injunction applications, and Housing Disrepair Claims.

Housing Disrepair Claims

Your home should be a safe, secure, and healthy place to live. If your landlord has failed to carry out necessary repairs, you may be entitled to take legal action. At Mascot Solicitors, we help you bring housing disrepair claims to ensure your living conditions meet legal standards.

Evicting Your Tenant

Legally regaining possession of your property.

If you are a landlord and need to evict a tenant, it is crucial to follow the correct legal process. Unlawful eviction can result in serious legal consequences, including fines or even criminal charges. We help landlords recover possession lawfully, efficiently, and with full compliance.

Common Reasons for Eviction

Eviction laws in the UK are highly regulated, and even small mistakes can cause serious setbacks or lead to claims of unlawful eviction. We ensure proper notices are served correctly and on time, you comply with all legal obligations, your case is presented clearly in court, and you meet the criteria for possession. Our expertise helps you avoid costly counterclaims or delays based on deposit or disrepair issues.

Eviction laws in the UK are highly regulated, and even small mistakes can cause serious setbacks or lead to claims of unlawful eviction. We ensure proper notices are served correctly and on time, you comply with all legal obligations, your case is presented clearly in court, and you meet the criteria for possession. Our expertise helps you avoid costly counterclaims or delays based on deposit or disrepair issues.

We provide complete landlord eviction support, including advice on whether to use Section 8 or Section 21, drafting and serving compliant notices, issuing possession claims in the County Court, representation at hearings, applying for bailiffs or High Court enforcement, and handling complex or contested evictions.

You may seek to evict tenants who fall behind on rent.

Eviction for tenants causing persistent disturbance or nuisance.

Where tenants have caused significant damage to the property.

For violations of the terms and conditions of the tenancy.

Recovering possession at the end of a tenancy, provided legal requirements are met.

A Section 21 notice can be used to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) after the fixed term ends, without needing to prove fault. Requirements include 2 months’ notice, proper deposit protection, provision of Gas Safety Certificate, EPC, and How to Rent Guide. Cannot be used in the first 4 months of tenancy.

A Section 8 notice is used where a tenant has broken tenancy terms, such as owing 2 months’ rent, causing damage, or anti-social behaviour. Grounds are listed in the Housing Act 1988 (some mandatory, some discretionary).

If tenants refuse to leave, we issue claims for possession, represent you in County Court, and apply for bailiff eviction warrants if needed.

Common Grounds for Defence

Challenging eviction claims with strong legal arguments.

Defences where notice periods are wrong, paperwork is incomplete, or required documents (Gas Certificate, EPC, How to Rent) were not provided.

We challenge landlords who fail to comply with deposit protection.

We defend tenants when landlords neglect repairs or act in retaliation.

Protecting tenants from eviction based on unlawful conduct by landlords.

Negotiating repayment agreements in rent arrears cases.

Challenging evictions that breach tenants’ human rights or fail to consider disability/vulnerability.

We defend tenants against Section 21 “no fault” evictions, Section 8 evictions, accelerated possession, rent arrears cases, and discretionary grounds such as anti-social behaviour.

Defending Possession Claims

If you have received notice to leave your home or court papers for possession, you may still have rights. Our solicitors defend tenants against unlawful eviction, negotiate with landlords, and fight for your right to remain.

Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)

Legal framework and obligations.

Tenancy Deposit Protection is a legal requirement in England and Wales for most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). Landlords must protect deposits within 30 days in an approved scheme and provide prescribed information. Non-compliance can result in penalties and invalid notices.

Tenancy Deposit Requirements

Protecting both landlords and tenants.

Housing Act 2004, sections 212–215; amended by the Localism Act 2011 and clarified in case law.

Landlords must protect a tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Approved schemes include DPS, My Deposits, and TDS. Schemes can be custodial or insurance-backed.

Within 30 days, the landlord must protect the deposit and provide Prescribed Information (scheme details, deposit amount, dispute procedures, landlord details).

Tenants can claim 1–3 times the deposit, landlords cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice, and courts may order repayment.

Superstrike Ltd v Rodrigues (2013) clarified rules for periodic tenancies. Charalambous v Ng (2014) held landlords cannot serve a Section 21 notice unless deposits are protected, even if received before TDP rules.

What the Law Says

Definitions, remedies, and enforcement.

Defined under s1(3) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, harassment includes violence or threats, withholding essential services, entering without notice, intimidation, or interference with a tenant’s peace. Intent is key — the landlord must know their conduct would force a tenant out.

Eviction is illegal if a landlord removes a tenant without a court order, changes locks, removes possessions, or physically throws the tenant out. The legal process requires a valid notice, a possession order, and a bailiff warrant.

Tenants may seek injunctions, damages (including aggravated or exemplary), criminal prosecution by local authorities, or civil claims. Courts can order reinstatement.

Local authorities often prosecute. Police may act in cases of breach of peace. Civil courts can enforce reinstatement.

Hemmings v Stoke Poges Golf Club (1920) confirmed need for court orders. McCall v Abelesz (1976) awarded aggravated damages. Lowe v Governors of Sutton’s Hospital (2021) examined proportionality under the Human Rights Act.

Harassment & Illegal Eviction

Protecting tenants from intimidation and unlawful eviction.

Harassment and illegal eviction are serious offences under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. We help tenants stop landlord misconduct, obtain injunctions, and claim damages.

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