Specialist landlord representation at possession hearings
Our landlord legal representation service may be able to help if you are a landlord, letting agent, property management company, local authority, housing association, social housing provider or a housing lawyer looking to instruct a local solicitor agent as their county court advocate at a possession hearing or at other landlord and tenant legal proceedings.
Contact our landlord solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or send an email enquiry to info@otssolicitors.co.uk.
Landlord representation services from OTS Solicitors
Whether you are a professional landlord, a property management company or a housing lawyer needing to hire solicitor for landlord hearing, our landlord and tenant solicitors in London provide specialist legal help for landlords in court.
We provide:
- Experienced court representation for landlords
- Legal document preparation
- Speedy post-hearing reports
- Competitive and fixed fee services
OTS Solicitors legal help for landlords in court
Our landlord services and court representation cover all types of landlord and tenant disputes, including:
- Possession hearing after a Section 8 notice
- Accelerated possession after a Section 21 notice
- Tenancy dispute claims
- End of tenancy deposit disputes
- Rent repayment order claims
- Housing disrepair claims
Our team are experts in landlord and tenant law and will provide effective and efficient landlord representation and eviction services in the county court.
Court representation for landlords in London
Based in central London, our expert possession solicitors provide fixed fee possession hearings and other landlord court services at the central London county court and the surrounding county courts in:
- Mayors & City
- Willesden
- Wandsworth
- Uxbridge
- Romford
- Barnet
- Clerkenwell & Shoreditch
- Brentford
- Edmonton
Our friendly team of trusted landlord and agency solicitors can be contacted on 0203 959 9123 or info@otssolicitors.co.uk for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions on Landlord Legal Representation
Can my solicitor attend the landlord hearing without me?
Your solicitor can attend some landlord hearings without you. However, at a final hearing in a disputed claim where evidence may need to be given by both the landlord and the tenant, your presence will be required.
What are the requirements for a solicitor to represent a landlord in their absence?
For a solicitor to represent a landlord in their absence, the landlord solicitor will need to review and check the paperwork and instructions. Any queries will be raised before the directions hearing.
If the hearing is a final hearing and the tenant is disputing the grounds for possession, your presence at the hearing will be required, as you will need to give evidence to prove that the Section 8 notice is valid and that possession should be granted.
How does the court verify that the solicitor has my permission to act on my behalf?
The court verifies that your possession solicitors have your permission to act on your behalf through your solicitor filing a notice of acting with the court.
What happens if the court requires my direct testimony but I'm not there?
If the court is likely to require you to give evidence, you will be notified by your lawyer that you will need to attend the court hearing. They will explain the likely court procedure at the final possession hearing.
If the court requires your direct testimony but you are not present, the court may agree to adjourn the hearing to a later date. For example, if you cannot attend the final hearing of your possession application because you are unwell and have medical evidence to confirm this.
Is it more expensive to have a solicitor attend court alone?
The costs of landlord legal representation are not more expensive if you decide not to attend the directions court hearing and instead send your possession solicitor on their own.
Can a solicitor make decisions on my behalf during the hearing without my prior approval?
A solicitor can make routine administrative decisions on your behalf at directions hearings. For example, the timetable for the filing of witness statements. If the tenant suggests that the possession proceedings can be resolved by agreement, your instructions must be taken on their proposals. For example, the tenant may state that they can pay the arrears of rent and pay the next six months' rent in advance, or that the family member who committed a breach of the tenancy agreement will vacate the rental property. These types of tenancy decisions will need your authority.
What are the legal risks of not attending the hearing in person?
The legal risks of a landlord not attending a direction hearing in person are small, as in most possession claims, the judge will order what evidence needs to be filed before the final hearing. An experienced housing solicitor can ensure your interests are protected in your absence.
There are legal risks for a landlord who does not attend the final hearing of a possession claim in person if the tenant disputes the possession application. For example, if a landlord has stated that possession is required so they can return to live at the property or sell it, and the tenant disputes that this is the real reason why possession proceedings have been initiated, instead claiming revenge eviction and landlord harassment.
What specific documents does my solicitor need to prove they can represent me in my absence?
A county court advocate does not need to file any specific document to prove that they can represent a landlord in the landlord’s absence. The solicitor’s firm will file a notice of acting with the court, but may ask a local specialist solicitor for landlord hearing to provide expert landlord representation services as their agent. This can be an economical option for you if your housing lawyers are based a substantial distance from the court dealing with the possession claim, tenant’s deposit, or property maintenance dispute.
What is the procedure for an absent landlord to respond to questions from the court or the tenant?
Court rules set out the procedure for landlords to respond to questions from the court or their tenant. If a housing lawyer has filed a possession claim on behalf of a landlord and the tenant is defending the claim, the tenant will file a defence to the claim. The landlord can counter their defence by filing a reply.
If the tenant is disputing the grounds for possession or asking the court to exercise discretion and refuse possession or suspend the making of a possession order, the landlord can give evidence at the hearing of the possession claim to say why possession is required or to explain their personal knowledge of the tenant’s actions leading to the possession proceedings.
Should a landlord be represented at a rent repayment order tribunal?
Landlords will benefit from specialist legal representation at rent repayment order tribunals to argue their case that they should not be ordered to pay up to 12 months of rent to a former tenant or repay universal credit to a local authority.
When the Renters' Rights Bill becomes law, the maximum amount of rent a landlord can be ordered to pay will double from 12 to 24 months. This change in law will make it even more important for landlords to have landlord representation at tribunal hearings.
When is the best time to consult a landlord and tenant solicitor?
Ideally, it's best to consult a landlord solicitor as soon as you identify problems with your tenant. An experienced housing lawyer may be able to resolve the tenant dispute through a letter before action, avoiding the need for court proceedings or resolving the dispute quickly by following a pre-action process, such as the housing disrepair protocol.
Contact our landlord solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or send an email enquiry to info@otssolicitors.co.uk.