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About Landlord Licensing & Defence
Your Shield Against Aggressive Council Enforcement and Unfair Fines
Founded by landlords, for landlords. We use forensic legal expertise and elite compliance audits to dismantle over-aggressive council actions.
Who We Are
At Landlord Licensing & Defence, we believe that the vast majority of landlords and property managers are decent, hard-working people trying to provide good homes while building a business, supporting their families, or securing their retirement.
Yet today, the UK private rented sector is buried under an avalanche of ever-changing legislation. With over 5,000 pages of regulations, mandatory licensing, selective licensing, and aggressive local authority enforcement, it has become virtually impossible to stay 100% compliant without expert, dedicated help.
Local authorities and predatory "no-win, no-fee" claims companies and solicitors have realised that minor paperwork errors are incredibly lucrative revenue streams. Cash-strapped councils routinely bypass due process to hand out massive fines, while "ambulance-chasing" firms weaponize Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) to strip property owners of their hard-earned assets.
We exist to level the playing field. Our core philosophy is “Defence by Compliance.” We don’t just help you fight back when councils or rogue tenants cross the line; we proactively audit, fortify, and protect your business so they can’t touch you in the first place.
Our Track Record in Action
We don't just talk about defending property owners; we routinely secure major victories against local authorities and aggressive claimants. Whether a case requires a fierce legal challenge or highly diplomatic mediation, we deliver results:
Did you know?
In over 90% of our cases, we successfully resolve matters through private legal agreements outside of public tribunals— safeguarding your reputation, saving your wallet, and stopping vexatious claims in their tracks.
Meet Our Founders
Des Taylor - Founder Landlord Defence
Des Taylor – Legal Expert & Defence Strategist
Director of Legal Casework
Des runs our legal casework division and is recognised across England and Wales as one of the country's leading strategists in defending landlords and letting agents against Civil Financial Penalties, Planning Contravention Notices, and Rent Repayment Orders.
Des is famous in the property sector for securing landmark legal victories. Most notably, he successfully argued a groundbreaking case at the Upper Tribunal (Lands), effectively establishing that tenant rent arrears must be accounted for before rent is eligible to be reclaimed under an RRO. This dismantled the "magic money tree" used by rogue tenants and no-win-no-fee lawyers to maliciously extract thousands from landlords. He understands that housing laws are strict liability criminal offences—meaning ignorance is not a defence—and builds ironclad legal strategies accordingly.
Phil Turtle - Founder Landlord Defence
Phil Turtle – HMO Expert Auditor & Compliance Specialist
Director of Compliance Services
Phil is a Certified HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) Practitioner, a qualified Fire Risk Assessor, Certified Damp Surveyor and has been a Buy-to-Let and HMO landlord for over 20 years. He is also well versed in the planning permission and building control certification systems from having been a property developer for many years. Phil leads our compliance division, focusing on stopping council prosecutions before they even start
Phil spends a significant portion of his time on-site, as do his team of inspectors, conducting rigorous, council-grade property audits. They evaluate everything from complex fire door regulations and smoke alarm systems to amenity standards and HMO management regulations. Phil’s unique edge comes from knowing building technology (having been a property developer) and having attended the very same enforcement training courses run for council officers. He knows exactly how council inspectors think, how they spot vulnerabilities, and where they frequently overstep their legal authority.
The Landlord Defence Advantage
We Speak Council:
Because we train alongside enforcement officers and fight them daily, we know the Housing Act 2004 inside and out. We know when a council is acting lawfully, and we know exactly how to call them out when they aren't.
Proactive & Reactive Protection:
Whether you need a top-tier compliance audit to secure the right Mandatory HMO, Additional HMO or Selective licence, or you’ve just received a terrifying "Intent to Fine" or PACE Interview notice, we handle the entire process.
Elite Legal Network:
In addition to our internal casework team, our clients gain access to our exclusive Defence Barrister Service, featuring some of the UK’s foremost housing barristers.
Trusted Industry Voice:
Our experts are regular contributors to Property118, LandlordZONE, The Negotiator and are prominent keynote speakers at major national property events and industry podcasts.
Don’t Face the Council or Claimants Alone
An error in licensing or a missed compliance detail isn't just an administrative mistake—councils and aggressive legal firms treat it as a criminal opportunity. Pleading ignorance won't save you, but having Des Taylor, Phil Turtle, and the Landlord Licensing & Defence team in your corner will.
Protect your property, protect your business, and protect your peace of mind.
