Chester · North Wales · England & Wales

Landlord & Tenant
Disputes

Commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes — including dilapidations claims, rent arrears, forfeiture of lease, service charge disputes, and lease interpretation. We advise both landlords and tenants.

SRA Regulated

Costs Explained Upfront

Same-Day Response

England & Wales

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No obligation · Costs explained clearly · Payment arrangements available

What We Handle

Types of landlord and tenant disputes

Dilapidations claims

Landlord claims against tenants for failure to comply with repairing obligations at the end of a commercial lease — preparing or responding to a schedule of dilapidations.

Rent arrears

Recovering unpaid rent from commercial or residential tenants — through formal demand, court proceedings, or forfeiture.

Forfeiture of lease

Bringing a commercial lease to an end where the tenant has breached a covenant — and advising tenants on relief from forfeiture.

Lease interpretation disputes

Disputes about the meaning or scope of lease terms — including repairing obligations, permitted use, and alienation provisions.

Service charge disputes

Challenging or defending service charge demands — in the First-tier Tribunal (residential) or through negotiation and court proceedings (commercial).

Lease renewal disputes

Disputes about the renewal of a commercial lease under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 — including opposed and unopposed renewals.

Indicative Fees

What does a landlord and tenant dispute cost?

Costs depend on the type and complexity of the dispute. The table below gives indicative ranges for each stage.

All fees are exclusive of VAT (20%). Court fees and surveyor fees are additional disbursements.

Stage	Indicative Fee	Notes
Initial advice & lease review	£300 – £600 + VAT	Fixed fee. Review of lease and initial advice on your rights and options.
Pre-action correspondence	£600 – £1,800 + VAT	Formal letters and negotiation before proceedings are issued.
Dilapidations claim (schedule preparation)	£1,200 – £3,600 + VAT	Preparing or responding to a schedule of dilapidations. Surveyor fees are additional.
County Court proceedings (rent arrears / possession)	£1,800 – £4,800 + VAT	Issuing and pursuing a claim for rent arrears or possession. Court fees additional.
Forfeiture of lease	£1,800 – £4,800 + VAT	Forfeiting a commercial lease for breach of covenant. Court fees additional.
Service charge dispute (Leasehold Valuation Tribunal)	£1,200 – £3,600 + VAT	Challenging or defending a service charge demand before the First-tier Tribunal.
Mediation (preparation + attendance)	£1,200 – £2,400 + VAT per party	Many landlord and tenant disputes settle at mediation. Mediator fees are additional.

We do not ordinarily offer no-win, no-fee for landlord and tenant disputes. All fees are exclusive of VAT (20%). Court fees and surveyor fees are additional. We will provide a written cost estimate before any work begins. Payment arrangements are available — please ask.

Your Landlord & Tenant Disputes Solicitor

Speak to Alex Bailey

Landlord & Tenant Disputes

Alex Bailey

Solicitor — Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Alex qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and advises both landlords and tenants on commercial and residential property disputes across England and Wales. He provides practical, cost-effective advice on dilapidations, rent arrears, forfeiture, and lease disputes.

Call 01244 757352 Send an Enquiry

Tell Us About Your Dispute

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about landlord and tenant disputes

What is a dilapidations claim?

A dilapidations claim arises at the end of a commercial lease where the landlord claims that the tenant has failed to comply with their repairing obligations under the lease. The landlord serves a schedule of dilapidations setting out the alleged breaches and the cost of remedying them. Dilapidations claims can be substantial — particularly for large commercial premises. We advise both landlords and tenants on dilapidations disputes.

Can a landlord forfeit a commercial lease?

Yes. Forfeiture is the right of a landlord to bring a commercial lease to an end where the tenant has breached a covenant — most commonly by failing to pay rent. Forfeiture can be effected by peaceable re-entry (changing the locks) or by court proceedings. Tenants have the right to apply for relief from forfeiture. We advise both landlords and tenants on forfeiture and relief from forfeiture.

Do you offer no-win, no-fee for landlord and tenant disputes?

We do not ordinarily offer no-win, no-fee for landlord and tenant disputes. We provide clear written cost estimates before any work begins and are happy to discuss payment arrangements in appropriate cases.

What is a service charge dispute?

A service charge dispute arises where a tenant disputes the amount or reasonableness of a service charge demanded by the landlord. For residential leases, service charge disputes are heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). For commercial leases, disputes are usually resolved through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings. We advise on all types of service charge disputes.

What is the difference between commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes?

Commercial landlord and tenant disputes are governed primarily by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the terms of the lease. Residential landlord and tenant disputes are governed by a wider range of legislation, including the Housing Act 1988, the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The remedies available and the procedures for resolving disputes differ significantly between commercial and residential tenancies.

Do you advise clients in North Wales and across England?

Yes. We act for clients across England and Wales — including North Wales (Wrexham, Flintshire, Deeside, Denbighshire), Central England (Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Leicester), and nationally. The majority of our landlord and tenant dispute work is conducted remotely — no office visit is required.

Can I recover my legal costs in a landlord and tenant dispute?

In court proceedings, the general rule is that the losing party pays the winning party's costs — but this is not automatic and the court has discretion. In the First-tier Tribunal (for residential service charge disputes), costs orders are rare. Many commercial leases contain a costs clause allowing the landlord to recover legal costs from the tenant in certain circumstances. We will advise you on the realistic prospects of cost recovery in your specific case.

Facing a landlord or tenant dispute?

Speak to Alex Bailey for practical, cost-effective advice on resolving your dispute.

No obligation — talk through your options first. Costs explained clearly.