Here at Kitson Boyce, we are able to advise on a wide variety of commercial landlord and tenant disputes. We provide practical legal advice on all matters arising from a commercial landlord and tenant relationship, whether at its creation, variation or termination.
Our property dispute resolution team also works closely with our commercial property team to offer clients a complete service when it comes to commercial property.
To speak to one of our property dispute resolution solicitors, please get in touch online or via our offices in Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter.
Here at Kitson Boyce, we are able to advise on a wide range of residential landlord and tenant disputes, both where a landlord has let a property under a tenancy agreement and in respect of long residential leases. Our property dispute resolution team works closely with our residential property team.
It is important that landlords comply with housing legislation and failure to do so can lead to a fine and/or delays in regaining possession of your property.
Long residential leases have their own difficulties and there are various legislation that govern the relationship between the freeholder and leaseholder.
Our landlord and tenant team can advise on:
To speak to one of our property dispute resolution solicitors, please get in touch online or via our offices in Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter.
Fiona is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team
Concern has been rising in relation to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) and the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) regime, with many wondering how the two will work together.
Specifically, the abolishment of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) which are to be replaced with assured periodic tenancies from 1st May 2026...
On 1 May 2026, the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (the “Regulations”) came into force. The Regulations have amended both the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
The purpose of the Regulations is to increase the maximum financial penalties and potential...
As the sector prepares for the forthcoming changes under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025), which comes into force on 1 May 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now issued guidance to support the transition. Two key developments arise from this guidance, each of...
We have previously provided guidance for landlords regarding the changes coming into effect on 01 May 2026 brought about by the Renter’s Rights Act (RRA 2025), specifically related to changing grounds for possession and written information requirements.
Another one of these changes that landlords need to be mindful of concerns rent...
The Renters Rights Act became law on 27 October 2025, paving the way for a significant rebalance of landlord-tenant relations across England. Initially, the implementation of the Act was unclear. However, the wait is over, and we have a roadmap of when the key changes will come into force.
When will...
We previously produced an article on The Renters’ Rights Bill. As of 27 October 2025, the Renters Rights Bill received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament which means it is Law. We will now see a rebalance of landlord-tenant relations across England once it comes into force....
The Renters’ Rights Bill is currently in its last stages of the bill passage before it receives Royal Assent. The proposals contained within the Bill significantly reform the private rented sector.
As of 8th September 2025, upon considering and rejecting the Lords’ amendments, the House of Commons has passed the Bill...
If a tenant is sentenced to prison, it can raise several legal and practical questions for both the landlord and the tenant. Landlords in England have specific rights and responsibilities in such situations and it’s crucial to understand the legal framework governing these circumstances. Here, we will explore what happens...
In the UK, an eviction notice is an official document used by landlords to terminate a tenancy agreement with a tenant. There are two types of eviction notices, the section 21 notice and the section 8 notice. However, landlords must ensure that their eviction notices are valid and legally binding.
Here,...
There will come a time when a landlord needs to regain possession of a rented property, either because a fixed-term tenancy has come to an end, the tenant has breached the terms of their tenancy agreement, or the landlord wishes to take back the property for another reason.
How the landlord...
The death of a sole tenant under an assured shorthold tenancy must be dealt with correctly and sensitively for all parties to receive a fair outcome.
How does the death of a sole tenant affect an assured shorthold tenancy?Unless there is a specific clause in the tenancy agreement that outlines what...
Frozen pipes are a problem that all homeowners, landlords and tenants should be wary of. If a frozen pipe bursts in a rental property, questions may be asked regarding who is responsible.
What are the risks of frozen pipes?When temperatures drop in winter, the water in the pipes can freeze which...
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?
The Fire Safety Act 2021 was passed as law on the 29th of April 2021 and came into force in England and Wales on the 16th of May 2022. The Fire Safety Act 2021 signified an important milestone for fire and building safety and...
Landlords; know the changes being implemented by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (“draft Regulations”)
From 1 October 2022, the draft Regulations are anticipated to take effect and will amend the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (the 2015 Regulations). The following changes will be made:
Smoke...
The end of ‘no-fault evictions’ is coming! The Renters Reform Bill has been announced in the Queen’s Speech
On 10 May 2022, in an historic event, HRH Prince Charles delivered the Queen’s Speech setting out the government’s plan for the 2022/2023 session of Parliament. The Renters Reform Bill was announced which...
This is a reminder of the current provisions when seeking possession of residential property.
Notice periodsWith effect from and including 1 October 2021:
The minimum notice period to be given in a notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 reverts to 2 months. The notice period under section 8 of the...
On 10th March 2021, the Government announced that there would be a further extension to the current residential eviction ban which in England was due to expire on 31st March 2021.
In addition to extending the eviction ban, the Government also confirmed that notice in respect of possession proceedings will now...
This article examines the new notice periods and procedural issues for landlords who are seeking to gain possession of a residential property during the coronavirus pandemic, after the lifting of the stay that expired on 20 September 2020
Notice of seeking possessionThe notice periods contained in the two types of statutory...
Gaining possession of residential property through the Court proceedings remains suspended in the UK during the coronavirus crisis. This was effective from 27 March, for a period of 90 days and has been further extended by 2 months. The suspension will now run until 23 August.
Landlords; the protocol for possession...
Landlords; the Government is introducing emergency legislation to protect tenants and restrict landlords gaining possession of their property during the coronavirus crisis. The temporary changes being introduced are intended to prevent tenants being evicted and made homeless during the crisis.
Guidance for landlords during the coronavirus pandemic Section 8 and Section 21 Notices...
Landlords; are you ready for 1st April 2020?
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (“MEES Regulations 2020”), place EPC obligations on landlords. The MEES Regulations 2020 require landlords to make energy efficiency improvements to a sub-standard domestic property currently being let.
A sub-standard property is a property...
A Landlord who failed to repair the heating system, damp of a house and fire proofing has been ordered to pay £18,000.
The house in Ivybridge, Devon, had been in a state of disrepair for a long time, which was affecting the health of the elderly and vulnerable tenant.
After investigating the...
Landlord; electrical safety regulations. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (“The Regulations”) have been laid before Parliament in draft.
If the regulations are passed, private Landlords will be required to ensure electrical safety standards are met, which means complying with the electrical safety standards in the...
New legislation has been introduced to impose further restrictions on private landlords of residential premises. Do you know the electrical safety requirements for landlords?
Electrical Safety Standards for Privately Rented Properties
New legislation has been introduced to impose further restrictions on private landlords of residential premises.
Scenario
You own a buy to let property...
Is your rented property fit for human habitation?
It is estimated that 2.5-3 million people, including children, live in unsafe conditions (Shelter 2017). The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (“the Act”) aims to ensure that all landlords provide and maintain homes to an acceptable standard.
From 20 March 2019, landlords...
Who is the Landlord?
Barrow and another v Kazim and othersThis case is a useful reminder that the person serving a Section 21 Housing Act 1988 notice must be the ‘Landlord’ at the date the notice is given.
The Legislation
Section 21 sets out the procedure for a landlord to end...
Reiner & Anor v Triplark Ltd EWCA Civ 2151; a tenant of a flat, had breached a lease covenant for failing to obtain consent to assign her lease, despite the right to manage company failing to comply with statutory requirements.
In the above recent case of Reiner (4 October 2018), the...
The government has extended licensing provisions from 1 October 2018; this means that landlords who let out properties with any number of storeys that have 5 or more tenants, who aren’t related, and who share facilities like kitchens or lavatories, will require a HMO licence from the local housing authority.
The...
Leading Devon law firm Kitson Boyce will once again support the Team Challenge at the Torbay Half Marathon & 10K, returning on ...
Read moreLeading Devon law firm Kitson Boyce win at Devon and Somerset Law Society legal awards 2026. Hosted at The Great Hall at ...
Read moreLeading Devon Law Firm Kitson Boyce are pleased to announce the successful completion of the acquisition of 17-year business, Coast to Coast ...
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