Case Studies
Anonymised real examples of how we've resolved rent arrears, obtained possession, and fixed compliance crises for Chester, Wirral, and North Wales landlords. Names and identifying details have been changed.
£8,400 rent arrears resolved without court proceedings
A Chester landlord came to us after their previous letting agent had allowed rent arrears to accumulate to £8,400 over 7 months without taking any formal action. The tenant was still in occupation and the landlord had received no legal advice.
Full arrears recovered via negotiated repayment plan. Tenant remained in occupation. No court proceedings required.
Section 8 possession obtained in 9 weeks — contested claim
A Wirral landlord instructed us after a tenant had accumulated 4 months' rent arrears and was actively contesting possession. The tenant had submitted a disrepair counterclaim to delay proceedings. The landlord's previous solicitor had made a procedural error in the original Section 8 notice, invalidating the first claim.
Possession order granted. Tenant vacated. Disrepair counterclaim successfully defended. Property re-let within 8 days.
HMO compliance crisis averted — £40,000 penalty risk eliminated
A Chester landlord with a 5-bed HMO came to us after receiving a formal notice from Cheshire West and Chester Council identifying multiple HMO Management Regulation breaches. The property had been self-managed. The landlord faced potential fines of up to £40,000 and revocation of their HMO licence.
All compliance breaches remedied within 6 weeks. Council satisfied. HMO licence retained. Property re-inspected and passed.
Portfolio landlord: 3 simultaneous arrears cases managed
A portfolio landlord with 6 properties across Chester and Wirral came to us after their previous agent had allowed 3 simultaneous arrears situations to develop without any formal action. Total arrears across the portfolio were £14,200. The landlord had received no updates for weeks.
All 3 arrears cases resolved within 16 weeks. Two tenancies preserved via repayment plans. One possession obtained and property re-let.
Anti-social behaviour eviction — Ground 14 possession in 6 weeks
A Wirral landlord was receiving complaints from neighbouring properties about a tenant's anti-social behaviour — noise, drug use, and threatening behaviour toward neighbours. The landlord had been advised by their previous agent to wait for rent arrears to develop before taking action.
Possession obtained on Ground 14 (anti-social behaviour) without waiting for rent arrears. Tenant vacated. No damage to property.
Rent Repayment Order defended — £9,600 claim dismissed
A Chester landlord received a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) application from a tenant claiming the property had been unlicensed as an HMO. The tenant was claiming 12 months' rent (£9,600). The landlord had not been aware the property required an HMO licence.
RRO application dismissed. Landlord paid zero. Property brought into compliance.
All case studies are anonymised. Names, locations (beyond general area), and identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. Outcomes described are specific to the circumstances of each case and are not a guarantee of results in similar situations.
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