Details of some of our recent cases:
£12,000 award for carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty boiler
A Housing Association tenant and her 7 year old daughter brought claims for carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a defective central heating boiler which also broke down completely, leaving them with no heating and no hot water. They moved out during the course of the proceedings and made a full recovery. They received compensation of £7,000 and £5,000.
Tolerated trespasser seeks disrepair claim
Mr Litchmore is a tenant of Lewisham Council. There was serious disrepair at the premises including subsidence, damp and a mice infestation. The cost of repairs was estimated to be in excess of £20,000...
Success in leaks cases
Charlotte Collins has successfully settled a claim for £5,000 for water penetration into two bedrooms which continued over a 5 year period causing damage to decorations and property. She also settled a claim for £8,000 for ongoing leaks into a council flat due to a defective roof. The leak continued for over 6 years until the tenant was re-housed.
Mortgage Recovery Case Success
Andrew Brookes acted for Cascabel who loaned Vedalease £600,000 to buy a freehold property. Vedalease signed a deed of trust to give a 25% share of the property to A, the company that had introduced them to Cascabel. Vedalease subsequently disputed the validity of the deed...
Austin v London Borough of Southwark
Once again, the issue of tolerated trespassers has come before the Courts for clarification. This case demonstrates how the tolerated trespasser status can impact not only on the person himself...
Success for council leaseholders
Andrew Brookes acted for 20 or so leaseholders from an estate in Camden, who were each being charged up to £32,000 in service charges for major refurbishment works...
Anthony Gold acts in Court of Appeal case regarding status of Women's Refuges
Andrew Brookes acted for a women in an appeal about her eviction from a Women’s Refuge. Ms Richards was found to be intentionally homeless after being asked to leave the refuge...
Over £18,000 in compensation in disrepair case
We successfully brought a landlord to court after he refused to repair a home suffering from draughts, leaks, damp and no central heating...
£12,000 compensation in rotting windows case
We helped a tenant to force her landlord to replace old and draughty metal windows and fit double glazing...
£23,500 compensation for three tenants
We successfully secured a court order for works and compensation for 3 tenants affected by subsidence...
Success in claim for share of property
We were successful at trial in proving that our client was entitled to a share of a property, despite the titleholders saying there was no agreement in place...
Help for intentionally homeless refugee
We secured temporary accommodation and a community care assessment for our client despite the fact he was intentionally homeless...
£13,700 compensation for disrepair
We obtained a court order, forcing a landlord to carry out works and pay compensation, despite our client being in rent arrears...
Succession to council tenancy where original tenant was a tolerated trespasser
We successfully argued that our client was entitled to succeed the council tenancy of her home following the death of her partner, who had been a tolerated trespasser...
Anthony Gold in service charge dispute success
We recently acted in a successful application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) to reduce service charges. Our clients were all flat owners....
£11,070 damages for disrepair and breach of quiet enjoyment
In a case that went to trial, we were successful in claiming compensation for our clients. This followed us having to obtain two injunctions to force the landlord to carry out repairs...
Success in property possession claim
In this complex Chancery Division case the claimant, a British citizen, sought possession of a leasehold property and damages for the alleged unlawful occupation and use of the property by the Defendant....
Success for leaseholders in the purchase of their freehold
We acted for leaseholders who wanted to purchase their freehold but the freeholder was untraceable....
Accommodation and financial support for failed asylum seeker
We successfully helped a failed asylum seeker obtain accommodation and financial support from Lambeth Social Services for herself and her newborn baby....
Other recent cases, in brief, include:
Shop owner restored to premises
The landlord locked our client out over missed payments of rent. When our client offered to pay the arrears the landlord would still not allow our client back in. After the threat of court action from us, the landlord backed down and the tenant was allowed back in and could start trading again.
£13,500 compensation for collapsed roof
Our client was an elderly woman living in council accommodation. The roof to one of the bedrooms collapsed and pigeons began to nest there. She also sufferred problems with damp, ill-fitting windows and other problems. Proceedings were issued against the council who then completed the works and agreed to pay compensation of £13,500.
Anthony Gold successful in making council carry out repair works
Mrs S succeeded in obtaining an order from the court requiring the council to carry out substantial works to her home and pay compensation. They paid the money but did not do the work. We took the case back to court and Mrs S got further compensation and a new date for the work to be done. Now if the council do not do the work their executive director will be at risk of prison and a fine.
