With offices across the south coast and in London, Dutton Gregory’s residential lettings team is a leading provider of legal advice and claim handling for landlords and (in particular) agents operating in the private rented sector.

The team, which supports letting agents daily on a wide variety of legal issues is renowned for answering questions comprehensively and providing instant, practical advice through its extensive knowledge and experience.

Covering the whole of England and Wales, Dutton Gregory supports thousands of agents who belong to the Association of Residential Letting Agents, and senior members of the team are often recognised from presenting at a variety of lettings-related seminars, webinars and exhibitions.

The majority of the team’s work relates to possession – from the service of a statutory notice to the eviction of tenants, with any enforcement advice in connection with debt recovery.

Additional areas of expertise include:

• Possession Complexities including establishing the type of tenancy and appropriate notice to be served
• Tenancy Documentation The team has been involved in writing default tenancy agreements for several professional bodies, high street letting agents, property developers, and software companies. The team also advise on terms of business and rent to rent matters, as well as having their own suite of template documents of the same.
• Rent Repayment Orders Defending landlords on the receiving end of HMO and unlawful eviction based applications in the First Tier Tribunal, and supporting negotiated settlements where appropriate.
• HMO Advice Specialist, Ryan Heaven, is involved in delivering dedicated courses for agents and local authorities seeking to gain knowledge and insight into this specific area of the lettings market.
• Squatter/Trespass Evictions including Interim Possession Orders and successful execution of standard procedures.
• Block Management including collection of Service Charges, Ground Rent and handling cases of Breach of Covenant. Dutton Gregory’s property litigation team is also available to support more complex matters in this field.

In most cases your advice will be provided by one of the solicitors below:

Gina Peters – partner and head of department

Gina specialised in residential landlord and tenant law some 20 years ago after 6 years as a commercial litigator.

Her natural compassion and drive to help others is fully reflected in her practice with her focus on what is best for her clients at all times.

The department has flourished under her leadership and is well-regarded for supporting managing agents in keeping abreast of the ever-changing, complex and numerous regulations within the private rented sector through the esteemed telephone helpline service.

Her work primarily involves advising on and undertaking all types of possession claims including drafting of tenancy documentation, with further work and advice provided to estate managers involved in block management.

A regular speaker and trainer Gina enjoys imparting her knowledge to ensure managing agents, and landlords when required, maintain and implement their legal lettings knowledge to a high standard, which in turn raises their professionalism with their own clients.

Ryan Heaven – solicitor

After graduating with a degree in Politics, Ryan transitioned into Law and now holds a Masters degree in the field.

Ryan worked in Landlord and Tenant for four years before starting his training contract then moved back to Landlord and Tenant after qualifying. His work is split between complex possession cases and drafting/advising on tenancy documentation.

Recent cases have involved Rent Act tenancies, discretionary Section 8 Notices, complex issues about the validity of a Section 21 Notice, and negotiations for the surrender of tenancies.

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