Property Ownership Disputes

Navigating property ownership disputes to safeguard your interests

When conflict arises between owners, it can be hard to agree what should happen to the shared property. Whether you’re an unmarried couple separating, disagreeing with a co-owner or cannot agree what should happen with an inherited property, our expert solicitors are here to help you resolve matters swiftly and constructively.

Our property ownership disputes solicitors are passionate about fully understanding the nature of your dispute and achieving a positive and speedy outcome. Whether your dispute is settled through Alternative Dispute Resolution or involves going to court to bring a claim under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA), we’ll guide you through the process with precision and care.

Acting quickly, understanding what’s at stake and knowing how to resolve a dispute is critical to the success of the resolution. With extensive expertise in TOLATA claims and property ownership matters, our team is known for being responsive, clear and focused on the best outcome for our clients. We’re here to make a difficult situation easier – and to help you move forward with confidence.

Our Property Ownership Dispute Services

Mediation

TOLATA Claims

Why Choose SE-Solicitors

Understanding

With our belief that relationships really do matter, we’re focused on understanding you and your world more deeply.

Expertise

By harnessing our collective skills, knowledge, and depth of expertise, we support you to manage the unique complexity of your personal and commercial interests in a smarter way.

Insight

Naturally strategic, we’re able to see the bigger picture, solve problems and realise opportunities more effectively.

Agility

Always responsive, with a solutions orientated mindset, we get to the heart of the matter fast, enabling you to reach positive outcomes more quickly.

Get in touch

If you’re facing a property ownership dispute, we’re here to help. Speak to one of our expert solicitors today to explore your options and take the first step toward resolution.

Our client testimonials

“Thank you so much for all your hard work, and for a fantastic result in the end. I cannot believe this is all finally sorted.”

Sara Driffield, 2025

“Thank you for your calm, level-headed guidance and advice throughout this process. It is a huge relief that everything is now settled.”

Dan Peters, 2025

“Thank you for all the work you have put into this. We didn’t think this result was possible when we started.”

L.C. – Client, 2024

FAQs

Your questions answered. Take a look at some our property ownership disputes frequently asked questions for more information.

What is a TOLATA claim?

A TOLATA claim is a claim brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. A TOLATA claim can be brought by anyone who owns an interest in a property through financial or other contributions, even if they are not a legal owner. When bringing a TOLATA claim you can ask the court to determine your interest in the property and to make an order that the property should be sold and how the equity should be distributed.

How will the court decide a TOLATA claim?

When deciding how the interest in property is owned, the court will look at the intentions of the parties, the purpose for which the property was purchased and the financial contributions made by the parties. When deciding if a property should be sold and, if so when, the court will balance the interest of the various parties and take the welfare of any children living at the property into account.

What options are available to me if we can’t agree what to do with a property?

The first step is to try and resolve your disagreement by means of discussions with the assistance of solicitors and/or a mediator. Once attempts to reach an agreement have been exhausted, you can ask the court to decide by making a TOTALA claim.

Can I claim a share of the property as a result of financial contributions?

Yes, depending on your agreement with your co-owner or anything said or done that created a reasonable expectation for you to have an interest in the property, it is possible to claim an interest in the property as a result of financial contributions to the property (for instance a payment towards the deposit, mortgage payments or payment for work done to improve the property) and even other financial contributions to the relationship.

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