Landlord and tenant disputes: when to involve a solicitor
A solicitor can help when a landlord and tenant dispute turns on legal rights, a possession notice or a court claim. However, free advice usually comes first, because some housing problems can be solved without going to court. Since the rules on notices changed on 1 May 2026, it also helps to know what a landlord can now use.
The short answer
GOV.UK lists legal aid and free advice services for problems such as eviction and serious disrepair. Check those free services first, because the right route depends on the kind of dispute. A solicitor becomes worth asking when the dispute is complicated or a court claim is likely. You may also want a specialist to read your papers before you decide.
Since 1 May 2026, section 21 notices have ended for privately rented property in England. As a result, a landlord who wants possession now needs a legal reason. This guide explains that change, the free routes, where disputes are heard and when paying for a landlord and tenant solicitors London search may make sense.
What changed on 1 May 2026
GOV.UK says that from 1 May 2026, landlords cannot use section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to seek possession of a privately rented property in England. As a result, the section 21 notice you may have heard about no longer works. Check the date on any notice you receive, because the change applies from 1 May 2026.
Instead, GOV.UK says a landlord can only give notice under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. The landlord must also have a legal reason, known as a ground for possession. In other words, the landlord has to say why they want the property back, and the reason has to fit one of those grounds.
This change matters because the words on a notice now point to different rules. For example, a notice that cites section 8 and names a ground tells you what the landlord is relying on. However, this page cannot judge whether any particular notice is valid, since that depends on the details of the case.
If you receive a notice, keep it safe and note the date you got it. Also keep any messages about the problem. Those papers help an adviser see what happened and in what order.
Free help first
GOV.UK “Find legal advice and information” says you may need a legal adviser with specialist training in the area of your problem, for example a solicitor. It also says you might solve some problems without court, for example through a mediator. Therefore, it is worth learning what free help exists before you pay anyone.
Our guide to free legal advice and legal aid in London covers the routes in more detail. In short, legal aid might cover problems such as homelessness, eviction or serious disrepair, according to GOV.UK. Whether you qualify depends on the legal aid checks, so ask an adviser rather than assuming either way.
Some complaints never need a lawyer. The Housing Ombudsman Service says that if you cannot resolve a complaint with your landlord through its complaint procedure, it may be able to help. Because that route depends on using the landlord’s own procedure first, keep a record of each step you take.
While free services will not suit every dispute, they cost nothing to try. They can also tell you whether the problem needs a solicitor at all.
Where disputes are heard
Housing disputes can reach different places, depending on the kind of dispute. The County Court at Central London is in the Thomas More Building, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL. It handles housing and money claims, although the hearing court depends on the property’s location.
Other disputes go elsewhere. GOV.UK says the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) handles residential property disputes, including rent increases, leasehold disputes, leasehold enfranchisement and rent repayment orders. As a result, the right place depends on what the argument is about, not just on who your landlord is.
Not every dispute reaches either one. If the facts do not fit these two bodies, an adviser can say where your problem belongs. For help with a wider disagreement, the dispute resolution page explains how this area of law works.
Some people consider acting for themselves. Before you decide, read whether you can represent yourself in court, because it sets out what that involves.
When a solicitor is worth asking
A solicitor is worth asking when the dispute is more than a misunderstanding. For example, you might want one if you face a possession claim, if the paperwork is confusing or if a lot depends on the outcome. However, a solicitor is not always the first step, so use the free routes above to see how far they take you.
Before you contact anyone, gather your papers. Write a short timeline with dates, keep the tenancy agreement and note any notices or letters. This saves time, because the adviser can see the facts at once. It also helps you ask better questions.
Ask each firm whether it handles housing disputes, because GOV.UK says you may need an adviser with specialist training in the area of your problem. Ask what the first step would be and how it will agree costs with you. Since you should agree costs in advance, ask for them in writing.
Finally, check who you are dealing with. The check-a-solicitor page shows how to confirm that a solicitor is regulated.