Our Experts

Stuart Miles

Working through Coronavirus Read our latest updates

Get Personal Advice

0808 231 6369
Call us Free 24 hours a day

Enquiry

We're here to do what's right so we're happy to listen to your enquiries.

Share a few details with us and we'll let you know how we can help you.

Stuart Miles | Solicitor

smiles@hja.net 0808 239 9152

I am a confident and innovative solicitor with six years of experience in property litigation. After qualification in 2013, I worked for a fast-growing property litigation firm, acting on a range of residential and commercial disputes before joining Hodge Jones & Allen in 2018.

I take time and care to understand the broader context of the legal challenges, before giving thorough, measured advice.

My practice to date has seen me analyse complex titles, unregistered titles and insolvency positions and interpret how these impact upon property ownership.

Additionally, I have acted on large scale major works programmes, including dispensation applications in the Tribunal and interim possession orders against squatters. I have also provided advice on options such as the appointment of a manager, enfranchisement and the Right to Manage process.

I have a detailed understanding of the implications of applications brought under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to discharge or modify restrictive covenants.

I have considerable understanding of the legal implications in management of property developments of all sizes, ranging from small share of freehold conversions, to extensive developments that contain multiple blocks of mixed commercial and residential use. Such disputes include service charge arrears, ground rent reviews, subletting and structural alterations.

My experience of dealing with defended commercial and residential forfeiture claims is particularly strong, having carried out defended proceedings on a full range of intriguing defences, including; estoppel, waiving the right to forfeit, validity of demands and engagement of rent suspension clauses. Naturally this has enabled me to hone my skills in processing relief from forfeiture applications. I have dealt with applications for relief that have concerned severely dilapidated premises and I have extensive experience of instructing Surveyors to achieve the desired outcome for landlord or tenant in this context.

Whilst settlement is always a core objective, I appreciate that it may not always be possible to achieve. During my career to date, I have acquired experience in leading proceedings in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) & Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Education

College of Law York: Legal Practice Course 2009
University of Lancaster: L.L.B Law 2008

Career

Hodge Jones & Allen: Solicitor 2018
JB Leitch Ltd: Solicitor 2011-2018 (admitted as a Solicitor in 2013)
Drydens Fairfax Solicitors: Paralegal 2010-2011

Personal interests

I am passionate about sport; and enjoy watching Rugby, Football, Cricket and Boxing. I like to travel and I am always researching my next adventure.

Posts by Stuart Miles

What happens if a neighbouring flat wishes to flout the terms of a lease

Posted on 16th July 2020

Residential leases often contain clauses which require tenants not to do something to their property. Such restrictions may include not altering the property, not subletting or keeping carpets on the floor. These restrictions are known as covenants and can sometimes be deemed to be absolute i.e. there is no caveat in the clause which allows for a reasonable request to be considered by the landlord. Without the landlord’s confirmation that these clauses have been relaxed, a tenant would need to strictly obey an absolute covenant. If a covenant is relaxed, then this may be recorded in the form of a licence.

Can I sublet my property on a short term let?

Posted on 23rd June 2020

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it may be that buy-to-let property owners have vacant property, with longer term tenants not wanting to sign up to committing to future rental payments. The absence of long term tenants may present landlords with the consideration of letting their properties on a short-term basis. There are various websites that offer property owners the chance to let their properties for a weekend or a few days at a time. However, where the properties are subject to long-term residential leases, then it is extremely important to check the terms of the leases, to ensure that such lets are permitted. Clauses forbidding such lets will not necessarily spell out in obvious terms that short lets are forbidden. Instead, leases may say that the properties are to be used as a private dwelling house, or similar terms may be used.

How does a rent suspension clause work?

Posted on 26th March 2020

A lease or tenancy agreement may contain a clause which suspends the rent in the event that the property becomes uninhabitable. The clause may state that there should be a suspension of the whole of the rent, or sometimes part of the rent, subject to how much of the property is usable.

See all

Phone:	0808 231 6369
Fax:	020 7388 2106
Address:	Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors 180 North Gower Street London NW1 2NB