Housing is a fundamental aspect of everyone's life and the effects can be devastating when things go wrong. We can handle all manner of work in this field, acting for council tenants and leaseholders in the public and private sector. We are well known for our housing disrepair work, helping tenants obtain compensation and making landlords carry out repair works.

A major part of the work we undertake is for public sector tenants, including challenges to decisions made in homelessness applications or the allocation of council accommodation. We have the expertise to handle any housing issue.

We also have particular expertise advising leaseholders on their rights including service charges, management issues and repairs.

What we do...

• We represent tenants when landlords have failed to carry out repairs, for example when homes are damp, have leaks, are suffering from structural problems or where the central heating system is not working. We can obtain an independent surveyor's report on your home and compel the landlord to carry out repair works. We can also obtain compensation for the inconvenience that the disrepair has caused.
• We represent where homes are suffering from pest infestation such as mice, rats, cockroaches, or ants. We can obtain treatment works and compensation.
• We represent in possession proceedings where tenants face losing their home. This usually arises where there are rent arrears. We can help tenants to keep their homes and to arrange agreements for reducing arrears.
• We act in mortgage possession cases where for example a lender has fallen behind with repayments.
• We can represent people who have applied to the council for housing and their application has failed. We can challenge decisions made by the council with a view to securing permanent housing.
• We advise leaseholders in relation to service charge disputes, extending your lease or buying your freehold, and applications to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
• We provide housing and support for asylum seekers.
• We represent tenants who have been illegally evicted from their home by their landlord. We can also provide assistance where tenants are being harassed.
• We provide assistance to tenants in their transfer applications.
• We assist people with co-ownership disputes
• We can advise you if you are worried about losing your home as a result of the major regeneration works in Southwark

For further information on how we can help you please contact a member of the housing team or call us free on 0800 389 2374.