Landlords Defence

Landlords Defence Limited is a firm dedicated to assisting landlords and letting agents in navigating the intricate landscape of property legislation within the United Kingdom. The company's primary objective is to help property owners and managers avoid fines, remain compliant with regulations, and defend their rights when facing legal challenges. Landlords Defence provides support to those who encounter difficulties with the demanding and extensive legislation governing the rental sector. The firm acknowledges that councils are increasingly proactive in pursuing prosecutions against landlords under the Housing Act 2004, making expert guidance essential for property professionals.

The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to address various aspects of landlord compliance and defence. These services include advice on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences, mandatory property licensing, and responding to UK Council Notices. Landlords Defence also provides representation during PACE interviews under caution and assists in appealing against civil financial penalties. The company's expertise extends to HMO advice and design services, Section 257 HMO licensing, and appeals against penalties for unlicensed HMOs or breaches of HMO Management Regulations.

Landlords Defence is committed to helping clients become and remain compliant with housing regulations, thereby mitigating the risk of substantial fines and penalties. The firm's approach involves analysing individual cases and advising on the most effective course of action. This includes fighting unfair council fines and defending landlords' rights. The company also offers services such as Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) risk assessments, fire risk assessments, and building works inspection and sign-off.

Furthermore, Landlords Defence provides testing and certification services for gas, electrical systems, fire detection alarms, emergency lighting, PAT, EPC, furniture, Legionella, HHSRS, and asbestos. The firm's professionals possess an understanding of the challenges faced by landlords, with some experts within the company being landlords themselves. This perspective informs their strategic and results-driven approach to client representation. Landlords Defence has a track record of successful outcomes, including cases where they mediated a Rent Repayment Order and overturned a deposit claim, resulting in a saving of £16,995 for a landlord.

In another instance, the firm facilitated the withdrawal of a Rent Repayment Order, saving a landlord £35,000, after tenants had illegally sub-letted a property. The company also successfully defended a landlord against former tenants who attempted to claim back all rent paid due to a licensing discrepancy discovered after they had vacated the property, with the court ultimately dismissing the claim. While Landlords Defence serves a broad spectrum of property owners, its deep expertise in HMO regulations, licensing, and compliance is particularly relevant to the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector. Many PBSA properties operate as HMOs, requiring specific licences and adherence to stringent management regulations.

The firm's services, such as HMO licence advice, HMO design review, and defence against related penalties, directly support PBSA providers in maintaining legal compliance and avoiding enforcement actions. The company also offers a UK Licence-holder service for overseas landlords, which can be beneficial for international investors in the UK's student accommodation market.