SRA to investigate landlord and tenant solicitors amid surge in complaints

SRA to investigate landlord and tenant solicitors amid surge in complaints

0:01 AM, 5th August 2024, About 3 months ago 2

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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is launching an investigation into landlord and tenant law solicitors following a sharp rise in complaints about their services.

The regulator has reported a 49% increase in complaints related to landlord and tenant law, with more than half citing a lack of legal knowledge among solicitors.

Concerns have also been raised about poor advice given to clients on crucial issues such as ground rent costs and the distinction between leasehold and freehold properties.

The SRA is worried that landlords and tenants are not receiving the legal support they need.

Landlord and tenant disputes

The SRA says: “Consumers (including landlords) may feel vulnerable when it comes to landlord and tenant disputes, for example, about broken tenancy terms, rent increases or the threat of an unfair eviction.

“We will now target our efforts at understanding if family and landlord and tenant solicitors are keeping their knowledge and skills and understanding of their legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations up to date.”

The SRA will now carry out in-depth inspections of law firms specialising in landlord and tenant law, review training records and gather feedback from stakeholders.

The aim is to assess whether solicitors are keeping up to date with legal and ethical obligations, and to identify any shortcomings in firm supervision.

‘Lack of competence’

The SRA statement adds it will: “Engage with stakeholders, representative groups and consumer bodies operating in these areas to further understand the impact on consumers of a lack of competence.

“We will complete this by the end of 2024.

“We will also write to all firms providing these services to remind them of their obligations.”

Also, by the end of this year, the SRA will contact landlord and tenant law solicitors with ‘practical tips on maintaining competence’ with links to training resources.

Pledged to take enforcement action against solicitors

The regulator has pledged to take enforcement action against solicitors and firms found to be falling short of the required standards.

A report on the SRA’s findings and any ‘next steps’ will be published by the end of next year.

Along with an investigation into landlord and tenant solicitors, the SRA has also announced an investigation into family law solicitors.


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G Master

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6:33 AM, 6th August 2024, About 3 months ago

This story sounds a bit hush hush to me. If there are complaints then the firm's name should be mentioned. We are not saying that the firm is guilty but that is is being investigated. Why do we protect the bad ones these days while those using the services are not protected.

Yellard

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12:50 PM, 6th August 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by G Master at 06/08/2024 - 06:33
The SRA dosent care abt consumers. I sold a property I jointly owned with my sister at auction as she was desperate for the money (sale proceeds).

Days before completion the SRA shut down our solicitors. The sale was delayed by six months as a result. My sister had to pay extra interest on (large debt)... The SRA refused to authorise release of the deposit monies until shortly before completion and refused any compensation for extra interest and other liabilities (eg Council Tax).

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