Good Tenancy Solicitor for Tenant

AndyW79

Hi,
I have been served noticed yesterday to leave my tenancy in 3 months, it is related to this thread and would appreciate if you could share some good solicitors to support me.
I have been doing some research and it is extremely expensive at 350 an hour and was wandering if somebody knows of more cost effective options.
Thanks,
Andy

 

AdrianC

You don't need a solicitor.

Explain to the landlord that the notice is not valid, and you have a fixed tenancy until 8th July 2021. Remind them that to enforce this s21 notice, they will need to apply to the courts for possession, and the courts are not accepting new cases until at least 23rd August.
https://www.rla.org.uk/campaigns/coronavirus/changes-to-possession/index.shtml
Yes, this is before your notice expires, but there WILL be a massive backlog by the time your three month notice expires in late September. And that's assuming the government ignore the suggestion to hold off until the end of the calendar year, and assuming lockdown does not got reintroduced.

Then point out to them that by the time this does all pan out, it'll be within spitting distance of next July anyway, so why not just go with the flow, and you're happy to move then? Same outcome, less antagonism all round.

Of course, you may decide it easier to just accept that a resentful landlord can make your life pretty damn miserable in a lot of low-level ways, and start looking for somewhere that actually deserves your business.

BTW, it's a lot easier to continue in an existing thread.

AndyW79

Thanks @AdrianC for the advice  and sorry for creating the new thread. I just wanted to be prepared from a legal perspective  when the problem arrives, so that's why I am seeking the legal advice to be prepared on how to proceed.
Thanks,
Andy

Jeepers_Creepers

Would it even be the case, Adrian, that if the LL applied to the court for possession, it would come up that the tenant is assured tenancy until July 2021, so they simply wouldn't entertain it? Or do they not look in to it in that depth...?

trex227

The solicitors who I used to work for (who for various reasons I would not recommend!) were slightly cheaper- I think their highest fee was £300 per hour for director level. From memory something like this would be £200-£250 per hour. Even a junior member of staffs hourly rate would be £120. Costs can quickly add up.

Legal advice from solicitors is only really viable for these kinds of things if you stand to gain/lose a lot of money or you have money to burn. Have you spoken to Citizen Advice Bureau or Shelter?

If I were in your position I would write a letter to your landlord with the excellent points AdrianC has made.

FindMyWayBack

I would stay put, ignore it, and know that you are OK until July 21. Let the LL start some action if they want to, I doubt they will, if they do then you can get excellent free advice from places like Shelter. BUT you already had all the advice you need on here.

[Deleted User]

You don't need a solicitor.  Inform your LL that you have a fixed tenancy until July 2021 (or not, I'd like to see his face in court), make sure you don't fall into arrears.., if it goes to court (unlikely) all you need to do is enclose a copy of your tenancy agreement and point out it is fixed until July 2021.  No judgement to evict can be made before then unless you fall heavily into arrears.

greatcrested

You'll not find a cost-effective solicitor unless you get one free via your union, or legal support via your contents insurance or similar.

CAB or Shelter or this forum can provide information, advice and support though.

I've not searched back your other thread (that's the problem with multiple threads) but is there a Break Clause in your tenancy agreement and if so has the LL implemented it?

AndyW79

Thanks for the support, I will follow Adrian's advice and as it what raised in the other thread they can issue the notice but it wouldn't be effective until next year. If I need to go court I will come here again to evaluate what legal advice could be used.
@greatcrested yes there is a break clause but they put the break date in July 2021.

Thanks,
Andy

greatcrested

AndyW79 said:

Thanks for the support, I will follow Adrian's advice and as it what raised in the other thread they can issue the notice but it wouldn't be effective until next year. If I need to go court I will come here again to evaluate what legal advice could be used.
@greatcrested yes there is a break clause but they put the break date in July 2021.

Thanks,
Andy

What exactly does the BC say?

What exactly does the notice served say (I've still not read your other thread so if this is duplication just ignore)

AndyW79

Hey Sorry for the late reply, the BC states: 

"The Landlord may end the Term by giving to the Tenant not less than two calendar months’ prior notice in writing , such notice not to expire earlier than 8th July 2021" 

The notice is a section 21 notice (form 6A) which states that we to leave on the 30th of September 2020, of course this contradicts the break clause...

Thanks,
Andy