Private Landlord and Tenant Dispute Solicitors

Last reviewed: August 2026

Private landlord and tenant disputes in England and Wales arise from the legal relationship created by a residential tenancy agreement, most commonly an assured tenancy under the Housing Act 1988. Since 1st May 2026, the rules governing the private rented sector in England have changed fundamentally. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault eviction, converted all assured shorthold tenancies to periodic assured tenancies, and introduced new rights for tenants including a limitation on rent increases to once a year via a Section 13 notice, challengeable at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). A new Private Rented Sector Database and a landlord ombudsman are also being established under the Act. These changes affect both how disputes arise and how they are resolved.

At Law Lane Solicitors, we act for private landlords and private sector tenants in disputes arising from residential tenancies from our offices in Stratford, High Holborn, and Croydon. Founded in 2015, we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our reviews show a 4.95 rating from over 1,200 reviews.

What does our private landlord and tenant dispute service cover?

Disputes between private landlords and tenants cover a wide range of matters across the tenancy lifecycle. Our team advises and acts on:

• Section 8 possession proceedings under the Housing Act 1988, advising landlords on the correct notice, grounds, and procedure and tenants on their rights at the hearing.
• Rent arrears disputes, including advice on the mandatory and discretionary grounds for possession and the strategic decision of which grounds to run together.
• Tenancy deposit disputes, including county court claims and adjudication through the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, and claims against landlords who failed to protect deposits under the Housing Act 2004.
• Rent increase challenges, where a landlord serves a Section 13 notice under the Housing Act 1988 and the tenant considers the proposed increase excessive, with referral to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
• Disrepair claims, where a landlord has failed to comply with the repairing obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 or the fitness standard under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
• Breach of tenancy covenant disputes, including damage to property, sub-letting without consent, and keeping animals in breach of a term.
• Unlawful eviction and harassment claims under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, including emergency injunctions and statutory damages.
• Quiet enjoyment disputes, where a landlord’s interference with a tenant’s use and enjoyment of the property falls short of formal harassment but gives rise to a civil claim.
• Disputes about the return of a property at the end of a tenancy, including condition, cleaning, and deductions from deposits.

Why choose Law Lane for private landlord and tenant disputes?

Private rented sector disputes have become more complex since the reforms introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Landlords who relied on Section 21 as a straightforward exit route must now work within a framework that requires court proceedings and a statutory ground in every case. Tenants who were previously at risk of no-fault eviction now have greater security of tenure, but they also face a more detailed set of rules about how rent can be increased and what rights they can exercise.

Acting for both landlords and tenants means our team understands the pressures and legal constraints on each side. A landlord who is managing arrears on a periodic tenancy needs to know which grounds to rely on and what evidence to assemble before serving notice. A tenant who receives a Section 8 notice needs to know whether the notice is valid, whether the ground is mandatory or discretionary, and whether a counterclaim in disrepair would assist the position.

Our solicitors provide direct, practical advice rather than theoretical analysis. We set out the options, the risks, the costs, and the realistic range of outcomes from the first consultation onwards, and we represent clients through to court hearings without the need for external counsel.

Get in touch

Our residential property team acts for landlords and tenants in disputes across the private rented sector. Book a consultation today and find out what options are open to you.

Phone: 020 7870 4870 or email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk