Search form Search SEARCH Services People News & Insights About us CSR Careers Contact PROPERTY LITIGATION You are here Home Services Dispute Resolution Property litigation When there is a dispute over property – commercial or residential – a client needs to know that their legal advisor will first aim to resolve it and mitigate any risks – and only when this route has been exhausted should they turn to litigation. With a team of sixteen, we advise in relation to commercial, residential and mixed use schemes and development disputes. We deal with all landlord and tenant issues including rent arrears, forfeiture, lease renewals, dilapidations claims, and service charge disputes. We also have experience in rent review, insolvency, real estate disputes and property related professional negligence claims. On the commercial side our clients range from developers to institutional investors and funds - including Aberdeen Standard Investments, F&C REIT Asset Management, Rockspring Property Investment Managers - major office and retail tenants, private estates, charities, and high net worth individuals. Acting for both sides ensures that we are alive to the concerns and priorities of each so that the advice provided is well rounded. On the residential side our team has significant experience in the Central London marketplace, advising landlords of large mixed use estates (The Crown Estate, The Phillimore Estate and The Corporation of Trinity House) and also residential investors and tenants of high value blocks in London and the suburbs. Our clients include both landlords and tenants covering all aspects of residential estate management, boundary and party wall disputes and also on enfranchisement and right to manage claims. Commercial rent recovery restrictions extended to 31 March 2021 and review of commercial landlord and tenant legislation to be launched Further to our update in September, last week the government announced that it will be further extending the forfeiture moratorium deadline, as well as the timeframe on restrictions on a landlord’s right to exercise CRAR and issue winding up petitions. Restrictions on forfeiture of business tenancies and CRAR extended to 31 December 2020 The Government has announced that the current legislation which prevent landlords from forfeiting commercial leases, or levying execution on the tenant's goods by way of CRAR to recover outstanding rent, will be extended from 30 September 2020 until 31 December 2020 to provide further protection for tenants who have not paid their rents or other sums due under their leases. Covid-19 and commercial property rent recovery: new code of practice and restrictions on remedies to be extended On 19 June 2020, the Government published the Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic ("the Code"). The Code was drafted by a Working Party comprising landlord and tenant representative bodies. A quick guide to the rent collection minefield With substantial sums still outstanding for the March Quarter, landlords face an even tougher battle collecting rents for the coming June Quarter. This Guide looks at the options likely to be available in light of Government action to date and future likely restrictions. What is a landlord now to do to collect rent from a solvent tenant? The Corporate Insolvency & Governance Bill ("the Bill") was laid before Parliament on 20 May 2020. It follows on from the Government's Press Release of 23 April 2020 and it is due to be discussed next in the House of Commons on 3 June 2020. The proposed provisions of the Bill have taken almost a month to draft but they are likely to be subject to both substantial opposition from landlords as well as much debate in both Houses, the Commons and the Lords. Tenant Administrations and COVID-19: A Landlord's Guide The restrictions on movement imposed by the Government, in its attempt to control the spread of coronavirus, have exacerbated the already difficult trading conditions in which many retailers find themselves. Recent days have seen the sad news that both Debenhams and Cath Kidston have filed notice to appoint administrators. It can be expected that others will follow. Contact us Natasha Rees HEAD OF PROPERTY LITIGATION Email Natasha View full profile PREVIOUS NEXT Natasha ReesJonathan RossBen Barrison THE WIDER TEAM "Forsters are an extremely approachable and client-friendly property litigation practice. They combine expert knowledge of the law with an acute awareness of and sensitivity to the particular needs of their clients." The Legal 500 UK, 2022 "They are very good at what they do." Chambers UK, 2021 "Clients appreciate the teams knowledgeable but unstuffy approach." The Legal 500, 2020 Dispute Resolution Arbitration Art & heritage property Commercial disputes Contentious construction Contentious trusts and estates Corporate disputes Court of Protection Enfranchisement Family offices Funded Litigation Investment, financial services and regulatory claims Property litigation Professional negligence Our Insights VIEW ALL INSIGHTS "Real depth of experience in art and cultural sector particularly in the context of country house collections and heritage assets." The Legal 500 UK, 2022 Home Covid-19 Information Hub Services People News About us CSR Careers Contact Gender Pay Gap Report 2020 Members List Price Transparency Regulatory Notices Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement Terms of Business Extranet login Change cookie preferences Address Forsters LLP 31 Hill Street London W1J 5LS DX 82988 Mayfair Contact T: +44 207 863 8333 Contact us Forsters LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. All content © 2021 Forsters LLP. All rights reserved. Social SRA ID: 400249 About this tool External Link Icon