Housing Dispute Resolution Solicitors
If you are involved in a housing dispute and need expert legal advice, our solicitors, with over 20 years of experience in residential housing law in England and Wales, can help.
Last reviewed: August 2026
A housing dispute can arise between landlords and tenants, between leaseholders and freeholders, between residents and housing associations, or between co-owners of a property. In England and Wales, housing disputes cover a wide range of legal issues: rent arrears and possession, repairs and disrepair, service charges, lease extensions, nuisance between neighbours, and deposit deductions. The legal framework governing these disputes spans several Acts, and the correct forum for resolving them, whether the county court, the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), or a housing ombudsman, depends on the nature of the claim.
Law Lane Solicitors acts in housing disputes for landlords, tenants, leaseholders, freeholders, and residential property owners from offices in Stratford, High Holborn, and Croydon. We were founded in 2015 and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our reviews show a 4.95 rating from over 1,200 reviews. We hold a Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales. With solicitors, solicitor-advocates, and barristers under one roof, we represent clients at every level of tribunal and court without referring cases out for advocacy.
What does our housing dispute resolution service cover?
Housing disputes in England and Wales take many forms and are resolved in a variety of forums. Our team advises and acts on:
- Landlord and tenant disputes under the Housing Act 1988, including possession claims, rent arrears, and tenancy breaches since the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
- Rent increase challenges, where a tenant receives a Section 13 notice under the Housing Act 1988 and wishes to challenge the proposed increase at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
- Deposit disputes, including claims in the county court or through the adjudication service of a Tenancy Deposit Scheme where deductions are disputed.
- Disrepair claims under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, including emergency injunctions requiring repairs.
- Service charge disputes, including applications to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine whether service charges are reasonable or properly payable under the lease.
- Leasehold disputes, including claims relating to forfeiture, breach of covenant, and the exercise of statutory rights under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.
- Right to Manage applications under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, including disputes about eligibility and procedure.
- Nuisance and boundary disputes between neighbouring residential occupiers, including injunctions and damages claims.
- Housing association and social landlord disputes, including complaints and appeals against decisions by registered providers.
- Neighbour disputes involving anti-social behaviour, right of way, or shared access where formal legal intervention is needed.
Why choose Law Lane for housing dispute resolution?
Housing disputes that are not resolved early tend to become more expensive and more entrenched. The key at the outset is to identify the right legal basis for the claim, the correct forum, and the realistic outcome before committing to formal proceedings. We give clients a frank assessment of the merits at the first consultation, including an honest view of the strengths and weaknesses of their position.
The range of forums for housing disputes is wide. Some claims belong in the county court, where damages and injunctions are available. Others belong before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which determines service charge reasonableness, leasehold valuation questions, and rent increase challenges. The right choice of forum affects both cost and outcome, and a claim issued in the wrong forum will be struck out or transferred, adding delay and cost. We advise on forum at the outset.
Our in-house advocacy capability means we can attend tribunal and court hearings on the day without briefing separate counsel. Where housing disputes escalate to the Upper Tribunal or beyond, our solicitor-advocates and barristers are available to act.
Get in touch
Our housing dispute team is ready to advise you today. Whether your dispute involves a landlord, a tenant, a freeholder, or a leaseholder, we can help you find the best route to resolution.
Phone: 020 7870 4870 or email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Housing Dispute Resolution
What changed in housing law in May 2026?
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force in England on 1st May 2026. The most significant change was the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” eviction under the Housing Act 1988. All assured shorthold tenancies were converted to periodic assured tenancies. Landlords who previously served Section 21 notices to end a tenancy must now use Section 8 and establish a ground for possession at a court hearing. Rent increases are now limited to once a year, via a Section 13 notice, and are challengeable at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Where are housing disputes decided?
The forum depends on the type of dispute. Claims for possession, rent arrears, disrepair damages, and injunctions are heard in the county court. Service charge disputes, leasehold valuation questions, and rent increase challenges under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 are heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Tenancy deposit disputes under an approved scheme may go to an adjudicator rather than the court. We advise on the correct forum for each matter.
Can I challenge a rent increase?
Yes. Since 1st May 2026, private landlords in England can raise the rent only once in any 12-month period, and only by way of a valid Section 13 notice under the Housing Act 1988. A tenant who receives a Section 13 notice and considers the proposed increase above the market rate can refer it to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for determination. The tribunal sets the market rent, not a politically capped figure, but a referral prevents the increase taking effect until the tribunal’s determination.
Can I recover my deposit if the landlord makes unreasonable deductions?
Yes. Where a landlord makes deductions from a tenancy deposit that the tenant considers unjustified, the tenant can dispute them through the adjudication service of the relevant Tenancy Deposit Scheme, or bring a county court claim. A landlord who has failed to protect a deposit in an authorised scheme may be ordered to pay the tenant between one and three times the deposit amount as a penalty under the Housing Act 2004. We advise on deposit disputes and the penalty provisions.
What is the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)?
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is a specialist judicial body that decides a range of residential property disputes, including service charge reasonableness, lease variation, leasehold enfranchisement valuation, Right to Manage applications, and rent increase challenges. It is less formal than a county court and does not generally award costs against the losing party, though it can do so where a party has acted unreasonably. We represent clients at Property Chamber hearings.
How long does it take to resolve a housing dispute?
The time depends on the type of dispute and whether it is contested. Tenancy deposit adjudications can take a few weeks. Simple possession claims in the county court typically take six to twelve weeks from issue to first hearing. Leasehold valuation disputes in the tribunal may take several months. We advise on realistic timescales at the first consultation and keep clients informed throughout.
Can I bring a housing dispute against a social landlord?
Yes. Social landlords, including housing associations and local authorities, are subject to the same statutory obligations as private landlords in most respects, including repairing obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. There are also regulatory bodies and ombudsman schemes that deal with complaints against social landlords. We advise on the appropriate route in each case.
How much does an initial consultation cost?
We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation for housing dispute matters. At that meeting we assess the nature and strength of the dispute, identify the correct forum, and provide a clear picture of the options and costs. Please get in touch to arrange a convenient time.
Housing Law Team
Sikandar Ali Jatoi
Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Basit Jatoi
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Khadija Faisal
Legal AssistantView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
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