Property and housing litigation solicitor London - Harriet Allsop

Harriet Allsop

Senior associate Property litigation team

About Harriet

Whilst we would all like to avoid disputes and litigation wherever possible, that cannot always happen. If a dispute does arise, I am able to assist to try to resolve the issue in an efficient, commercial and cost-effective way.

Harriet assists businesses and individuals in a broad range of property litigation matters, her primary expertise being in commercial property litigation disputes. She works closely with our commercial real estate department and charities’ department.

Commercial

Commercial lease renewals, including contentious renewals
Arrears recovery, forfeiture and enforcement
Statutory notice formalities
Dilapidations claims and settlements
Securing possession of commercial properties from trespassers

Residential

Applications for consent to alteration
Service charge disputes
Residential possession

Harriet Allsop is conscientious, hard-working, thorough and responsive and willing to backup any written advice with additional verbal advice on a commercial basis to match the reality of any given situation. She is very professional and a pleasure to work with.

The Legal 500 (2025)

Notable cases

Harriet has been involved in:

a high-profile rights to light claim (acting for the claimant/adjoining owner) which settled on confidential terms immediately before trial
securing possession of a disused former school site from a group of trespassers
securing possession of an empty office building via an interim possession order from a group of trespassers who were posing a danger to the neighbours and other occupiers of the building

Her client service, general level of service and level of sophistication are very strong. Her commercial awareness and vision are strong.

Chambers Insight Report (2023)

Experience

Harriet's experience includes:

lease enforcement, including forfeiture, commercial rent arrears recovery and enforcement of other breaches of covenant
advising on dilapidations negotiations and settlement agreements on commercial properties, on behalf of landlords and tenants
advising an investment fund landlord on a range of matters, including contentious and non-contentious commercial lease renewals, termination of leases and rent arrears recovery
debt recovery proceedings (rent and service charge arrears, both residential and commercial)
disputes relating to the sale and purchase of properties (including failure to complete)
advising on access to neighbouring land in the context of building projects
advising commercial landlords and tenants on their rights and obligations where a break notice has been (or will be) issued
advising on the enforceability and interpretation of restrictive covenants (both residential and commercial property)

I would like to echo…positive feedback on Harriet’s handling of the litigation…Her professionalism and case management since then has been exemplary.

Anonymous Client (2022)

Education

Studied archaeology (BA) at the University of York, graduating with a 2.1
Completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law
Completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, obtaining a commendation

Memberships

Member of the Property Litigation Association
Member of the Dilapidations Association

Awards and accreditations

Harriet's highlights

Landlords: the importance of accuracy and consistency in recovering possession of commercial property

Following a recent important ruling regarding section 37A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1945 in the case of McDonalds Restaurants v Shirayama Shokusan Company Limited...