Russell Cooke Bedford Row Holborn

About Stephen

I help individuals, charities and corporations avoid all kinds of property-related disputes when I can, and resolve them when I can’t. I have a particular interest in improving the country’s housing stock through the work I do with large PRS and build-to-rent clients.

Stephen acts for both landlords and tenants, advising on all aspects of commercial, residential and mixed use property related disputes.

He is highly experienced at resolving all forms of property dispute through alternative dispute resolution processes or court proceedings as required.

His practise includes: recovering possession of residential and commercial property; acting in commercial lease renewal proceedings; right of way disputes; enforcing guarantee agreements; the application of legislation relating to houses in multiple occupation; rent repayment orders and right to rent checks; service charge and rent arrears collection; tenancy deposit protection disputes.

Stephen has been a trusted advisor to the UK's largest listed specialist residential landlord for over 15 years and acts for numerous other large scale professional landlords. He regularly provides training to landlords and managing agents on their rights and obligations in respect of their work within the private rented sector.

He also specialises in advising landlords of large scale build-to-rent schemes across the UK, in particular working closely with them to develop internal procedures and policies and standard documentation to enable their developments to thrive and then acting for them in any property related disputes that may arise.

He trained at Russell-Cooke and qualified in 2009. He was promoted to the partnership in 2020.

Memberships

  • Member of the Property Litigation Association
  • Member of the Association of Rental Living

Awards and accreditations

Stephen's highlights

News

28.10.2025

Awaab’s Law—extending safety standards to the private rented sector

This article concludes our six-part series examining the legislative changes reshaping residential lettings in England...
Stephen Small, partner in the Russell-Cooke property litigation team. Caroline Brosnan, Senior associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, property litigation team.
Multiple Authors
3 min Read
Stephen Small, Caroline Brosnan
News

28.10.2025

The Renters' Rights Act series: everything you need to know about the future of the private rented sector

Welcome to the renters' rights series. On this page, you will find a range of resources to help you navigate one of the most significant overhauls of landlord-tenant law...
Stephen Small, partner in the Russell-Cooke property litigation team.
Stephen Small
1 min Read
News

26.09.2025

Pets and property in the renters' rights era

In the fifth instalment of the Renters Rights series, partner Stephen Small explores the implications the new statutory right for tenants to request permission...
Stephen Small, partner in the Russell-Cooke property litigation team.
Stephen Small
4 min Read
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