Housing Advice

What do we do?  How do we do it?

Housing – Our housing law solicitor assists clients threatened with homelessness or eviction to stay in their accommodation, ensures that accommodation meets basic standards, and assists those who are homeless in obtaining accommodation.

Recent cases have included:

• The withdrawal of possession proceedings based on anti social behaviour against a client with mental health problems who has now received treatment and additional support to maintain his tenancy.
• The bringing of a counter claim for disrepair in possession proceedings for rent arrears, resulting in the proceedings being adjourned whilst a settlement is agreed.
• The adjournment of possession proceedings for rent arrears to enable a successful claim for backdated housing benefit to be made, clearing the rent arrears in full
• The adjournment of mortgage possession proceedings for mortgage arrears to enable a successful claim to be made on a health insurance policy to significantly reduce the arrears, and a repayment agreement to be reached on the outstanding balance.

Surrey Law Centre has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving vulnerable people experiencing difficulties maintaining their tenancies for a wide variety of reasons, and has close links with support agencies to ensure that cases are picked up as early as possible with a view to avoiding court action where possible.

We have been instructed in a number of cases by the Official Solicitor on behalf of clients who lack the capacity to give us instructions directly.

Surrey Law Centre is the only legal aid provider in the County, employing housing solicitors and able to defend contested possession proceedings and take court action on behalf of clients in housing cases.