Tenants could face homelessness without free legal advice – The Law Society

The Law Society has called for tenants to receive free legal advice and warned they could face homelessness.

The independent body claims 41% of the population in England and Wales do not have a housing legal aid provider in their area.

The Law Society says that with the Renters’ Rights Act now in force, tenants must have access to justice.

Must be free legal advice

Law Society of England and Wales president, Mark Evans, said: “All of us need a safe and stable home. If our government truly believes in acting for the common good, they must guarantee that all of us, no matter where we live or how much money we have, have what we need to access justice.

“The decision to end ‘no-fault’ evictions via the Renters’ Rights Act levels the playing field between tenants and landlords.

“However, for these rights to be real, there must be free legal advice for people where rogue landlords break the rules and do not comply with the new Act.”

Legal aid can make the difference between home and homelessness

Mr Evans adds: “Legal aid can make the difference between home and homelessness. Our research shows that despite growing demand for legal advice, the number of legal aid firms able to provide advice to families pushed from their homes has dwindled.

“Last year, the UK government pledged to increase the fees paid to housing legal aid firms. This was the first major rise since 1996, but it is still to be fully implemented.

“But this one-off investment will have limited long-term impact to reverse the effect of reduced funding by successive governments. Without a commitment to ensure the sustainability of these vital public services through regular investment, more local legal aid provision will be forced to shut down.”

The news comes as the government announced a £47 fee for tenants challenging a rent increase through the first-tier property tribunal.

As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, any rent increase upheld by the tribunal would take effect only from the date of its decision, rather than when the landlord first served notice. This means that even unsuccessful challenges could delay higher rent payments for months, leaving landlords in limbo.