Legal Services

Immediate in house legal advice on property law
Access to specialist landlord and tenant barristers
Legal consultations take place locally, in our offices
Cost effective

One of Astberrys' directors, Marc Galberg is a retired barrister. He retains an overall knowledge and understanding of property based legal problems. In some cases he may advise you directly. He will also draft and amend tenancy agreements.

In other cases and always where litigation in any Court or Tribunal is imminent, he can arrange a referral to a specialist landlord and tenant barrister under the terms of the Bar's public access scheme. This scheme is one of the new ways in which legal services are being delivered. It allows you to instruct certain barristers directly, without first consulting a solicitor. There is little delay. In an appropriate case we will help you put together the necessary paperwork and prepare instructions to counsel. Consultations can take place locally in Astberrys' offices. Should a Court expert be required, usually a chartered surveyor, then we will help you find the right one and can instruct him as well on your behalf.

The combination of Astberrys and counsel acting under the Bar's public access scheme will provide you with good advice, often in a matter of days. And it is likely to prove cost effective even if litigation follows.

The following are some of the areas where we may be able to help you whether you are a landlord of a flat or a freeholder of block of flats:

Possession proceedings. If a tenant fails to vacate your property on the due date, how do you get him out? Click on the Newsletter for April/May 2010.
Service charge disputes. Is a tenant of a long lease failing to pay for works or services? Is the landlord charging too much? Click on the Newsletter for New Year 2012.
Damage and insurance claims, click on the Newsletter for October/November 2009.
The advantages and disadvantages of being a Freeholder, click on the Newsletter for February/March 2010
Enfranchisement. When does a tenant have the right to extend his lease and at what price? Can tenants force a landlord to sell them the building in which their flats are located? How much do they pay? Click on the Newsletters for June/July 2009 and July/August 2009.
Major works to a block of flats, the consultation process, click on the Newsletter for January/February/March 2011.
Disrepair, the landlord’s liability to the tenant, click on the Newsletter for Autumn 2011.
Tenants’ deposits , click on the Newsletter for December 2009/January 2010.
Rights of first refusal. How can a landlord sell a building in which tenants have long leases? What should tenants do if a landlord tries to sell in breach of the law?
Boundary, Easement and Party Wall disputes. What are the rights and obligations of landlords to their neighbours?

Our monthly Newsletter has regular feature articles dealing with legal issues relating to property.