Craig Jones Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 We have acted for numerous landlords (and tenants) and we fully understand that landlords prefer to do as much as they can themselves in terms of handling legal problems and only spend money on a solicitor as a last resort. This makes perfect sense to us. We are looking to adapt our service to landlords and be as flexible as possible in what we offer, how we offer it and how much it will cost. We like to think we are forward-thinking as a firm and not stuck in stuffy lawyers' ways. The client has to come first always. It would be very interesting to find out what type of issues landlords need help with, be it drafting a tenancy agreement, issuing a valid Section 21 or Section 8 Notice, issuing possession proceedings (either Section 21 or Section 8 on various Grounds for Possession), rent arrears recovery, disrepair issues, deposit issues, general advice, etc. If you did need any of these services, how would you like to access them? Face to face with a solicitor, telephone, e-mail, or a completely online service (maybe a membership arrangement or a "pay-as-you-go" arrangement?) What would you feel is a reasonable price to pay for these services? Would you prefer to pay on an "as needed" basis for individual jobs or pay an annual fee to cover unlimited work over the year? What has your experience with solicitors been up until now? What was good about the service you have received? Any horror stories? How often would you say you need the services of a solicitor and what work do you require? What would your "wish list" be if you could design your own legal support service? Your answers to all or any of these questions would be greatly appreciated and will help us to develop a tailored service giving landlords exactly what they want with a flexible fee structure that is fair and which they can afford. Thank you to anyone who contributes to this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I'd like a fixed fee structure for each of the elements on offer or alternatively a fixed fee based on a package......on an as needed basis. No face to face rquired unless absolutely necessary........modern communications systems should allow that. I'd be happy to pay (a little) more for that fixed price compared to a price worked on your actual time spent working on the case. That way I'd know EXACTLY what my total costs were going to be rather than have a potentially nasty surprise when the bill arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampa Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I would like solicitors to understand the importance of urgency that is required. A number of landlords have come to me with stories of woe and dragged out evictions (i have seen some of the paperwork) when using high street solicitors to do (try) evictions. By the time a private landlord has normally got to the stage of getting legal they have been fobbed off by a tenant for a period of time are many months in arrears or at their wits ends with issues they don't know how to deal with. Also they are likely to be in serious financial trouble. So after any consultation and a plan of action agreed any notices should be served within 24 hours and then acted upon within 24 hours (after 2 months, 14 days etc).Not sit on them and fit them in with in the next few days that seems to happen with some solicitors. Also to be kept informed all the way. RL post on costs is good also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mortitia Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 As well as the above I'd like to know the success rate and number of S21 or S8 cases dealt with by the solicitor I was employing. I hear so many tales of woe from others who have employed High St solicitors for a possession and get totally stuffed by their lack of experience or sheer negligence. Mortitia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLAW96 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I do offer a fixed rate to my clients if they instruct regularly. I have set out previously the problems I encounter on a day to day basis. What you have to remember your average high street firm will not have the necessary skill or knowledge to deal with even a basic possesion claim but they will not want to turn away your business. Even in some of the so called specialist firms you will have only one person dealing with landlord and tenant issues or a position where most of the work is delegated to a lower grade fee earner or clerk. If you want to do your homework google solicitor search and use the law society solicitor search facility. You can search by firm or individual solicitor the search will tell you if the firm specialises in landlord and tenant work. See how many people deal with landlord and tenant issues at the firm, if its just one then draw your own conclusion. Then check whether the person who will be dealing with your case is a solicitor, if they are then check their date of admission if they are only a few years qualified then they may not have the experience to deal with your issue. With a few simple checks and balances you can secure your position and make sure you get what you pay for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Jones Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I'd like a fixed fee structure for each of the elements on offer or alternatively a fixed fee based on a package......on an as needed basis. No face to face rquired unless absolutely necessary........modern communications systems should allow that. I'd be happy to pay (a little) more for that fixed price compared to a price worked on your actual time spent working on the case. That way I'd know EXACTLY what my total costs were going to be rather than have a potentially nasty surprise when the bill arrived. Thank you for your response, which is very helpful. I can understand your position regarding fees entirely. We do have a fixed fee system currently so we shall continue to do so going forward. I agree with you, that face to face contact is not really necessary these days for these types of matters, but will do so if the client requires it. Thanks again for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Jones Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I would like solicitors to understand the importance of urgency that is required. A number of landlords have come to me with stories of woe and dragged out evictions (i have seen some of the paperwork) when using high street solicitors to do (try) evictions. By the time a private landlord has normally got to the stage of getting legal they have been fobbed off by a tenant for a period of time are many months in arrears or at their wits ends with issues they don't know how to deal with. Also they are likely to be in serious financial trouble. So after any consultation and a plan of action agreed any notices should be served within 24 hours and then acted upon within 24 hours (after 2 months, 14 days etc).Not sit on them and fit them in with in the next few days that seems to happen with some solicitors. Also to be kept informed all the way. RL post on costs is good also. Many thanks for your comments, which I fully take on board. Absolutely, notices and proceedings should be acted on at the first possible opportunity as wasted time is lost rent. Thanks again for your contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Jones Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 As well as the above I'd like to know the success rate and number of S21 or S8 cases dealt with by the solicitor I was employing. I hear so many tales of woe from others who have employed High St solicitors for a possession and get totally stuffed by their lack of experience or sheer negligence. Mortitia That is very sensible as I have had a number of clients come to me who had used a firm that lacked the necessary specialist experience in this area and they had lost out significantly as a result. I recently had one horror story of a landlord client whose former solicitor had advised her not to allow a tenant back into the property on the date that the S.21 Notice expired! This led to a successful claim for illegal eviction and a £30,000 bill for the landlord. Thankfully, we made a successful professional negligence claim against the former solicitor and the client got their money back. But the stress and anguish caused by the whole experience was immeasurable. So, you are absolutely right to ensure from the outset that the firm does have the necessary experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Jones Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I do offer a fixed rate to my clients if they instruct regularly. I have set out previously the problems I encounter on a day to day basis. What you have to remember your average high street firm will not have the necessary skill or knowledge to deal with even a basic possesion claim but they will not want to turn away your business. Even in some of the so called specialist firms you will have only one person dealing with landlord and tenant issues or a position where most of the work is delegated to a lower grade fee earner or clerk. If you want to do your homework google solicitor search and use the law society solicitor search facility. You can search by firm or individual solicitor the search will tell you if the firm specialises in landlord and tenant work. See how many people deal with landlord and tenant issues at the firm, if its just one then draw your own conclusion. Then check whether the person who will be dealing with your case is a solicitor, if they are then check their date of admission if they are only a few years qualified then they may not have the experience to deal with your issue. With a few simple checks and balances you can secure your position and make sure you get what you pay for. I concur with this advice. You are quite within your rights to ask who will be dealing with your matter and what qualifications and experience they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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