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9:37 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago 27
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Tenants facing eviction in England and Wales can now get free legal advice – and access to a lawyer in court – from a new government-backed scheme.
Designed to help tenants avoid losing their home and from going through stressful and expensive court proceedings, renters can access the service when they receive a written notice from their landlord.
The service is also being offered to mortgage holders facing repossession from their mortgage lender.
Both the tenant and homeowner can have a lawyer represent them in court, regardless of how much money they have.
The Justice Minister, Lord Bellamy, said: “Having access to the right legal advice at the earliest point possible is crucial for those who face losing their home, to ensure they have the support and help they need.
“We are creating this new service so that fewer people lose their home and can get help with their finances and resolve issues before they escalate.”
The scheme also covers housing, debt and welfare benefit matters, including help with claiming benefits, reducing debts or accessing support services to improve health and wellbeing.”
The government is investing an extra £10 million a year into housing legal aid to provide this wrap-around care.
It is expected to help about 38,000 people a year to keep their homes and improve their lives.
Felicity Buchan, the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, said: “I want to ensure we are giving households all the help and support they need to stay in their homes.
“That is why we are spending £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant which can be used to work with landlords to prevent evictions.
“At the same time our Renters’ (Reform) Bill will give tenants more security in their homes by abolishing Section-21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
“This new service allows us to go even further and ensure tenants are getting the right legal help and support – all part of our wider work to prevent homelessness before it occurs.”
Propertymark’s chief executive, Nathan Emerson, said: “Propertymark recognise the UK Government is seeking to support people facing hardship or eviction, however, there needs to be an equitable system in place which is responsive, fair and progressive for all parties involved.
“We encourage the government to work more closely with landlords and agents to provide support or at least take measures to reverse the primary causes which sees many landlords selling and having to potentially evict tenants from their homes in the first place.”
He added: “It is also vital to consider the flip side of the coin whereby many landlords are also dealing with increased costs making it challenging to operate.
“Any new system must prove fair, sensible and workable for landlords, agents and tenants equally.
“We welcome the idea of having procedures that address concerns, keep pace with fast moving legislation and bringing swift resolutions on an individual basis.”
The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service aims to prevent homelessness and improve the quality of the private rented sector by supporting responsible renters and landlords.
The scheme is part of the wider government agenda to reform the rental market through the Renters’ (Reform) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
The Bill will end the practice of ‘no-fault’ evictions, giving renters more security and confidence to challenge poor landlords without fear of losing their home.
For more information about the scheme and how to access it, visit the dedicated webpage.
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Alan
10:05 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Think best before it becomes a legal issue is to just sell. As that at least you are still able to do giving tenants notice
Small Portfolio Landlord
10:10 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
So tenants can force a court case at no expense to themselves. As usual, the landlord doesn't appear to be included in free access to support.
This will add a lot more work to the courts which will mean even longer waits to get to be heard.
Ridiculous.
Juan Degales
10:13 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Yet another nail in coffin of
Private rentals.
Nelly101
10:29 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Sale board going up,had enough of this madness.How can a solicitor support someone who doesn’t pay their rent as per T&c of temancy
GlanACC
11:14 AM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Yes, as soon as you issue an S21 or an S8 you can now bet that they they will be advised to take it to court. Best make your paperwork is squeaky clean. I make the tenants sign a recipt saying they have received the required stuff< detailing the correct version the the 'guide to rent' (I know of a case where eviction was thrown out because the wrong verison of the document was given). I even print out the GDPR statement (about 90 pages) and give it to the tenants (who immediately bin it). ... and watch out for when a tenants children turn 18 because they can also object to an S21 or S8 as they are now deemed to be an adult (even if they are not named on the tenancy agreement)
Martin Roberts
12:40 PM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
I can also see if LL has not crossed a T, or dotted an I, costs will be awarded against them.
Reluctant Landlord
14:38 PM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service aims to prevent homelessness and improve the quality of the private rented sector by supporting responsible renters and landlords.
SUPPORTING LANDLORDS???????
hahahahahahh!
Chris @ Possession Friend
16:06 PM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Yes, The government and Mr Gove did not publicly proclaim this part of ' Levelling-up' [sic] for tenants, at a cost to the tax-payer of £10 million.
I think landlord groups should campaign for support of the Tax-payers Alliance.
The main difference in this scheme to the previous Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme ( HPCDS ) is that the previous only applied upon instigation of court proceedings, usually being picked up on the day of the first court hearing.
Also, that legal Aid assistance is ( as it applies in all legal-Aid matters ) Means-tested.
New Housing Loss Prevention Advice service ( HLPAS ) applies from first notification to tenant of a claim for possession, and is NOT means-tested. This is a departure from all the normal legal Aid rules, and its aim is what is 'says on the tin,' to stop evictions ( aka Housing loss )
JaSam
18:08 PM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
From the gov link…
“A housing expert (funded by the government) will work with you to identify what may be causing someone to seek possession of your home and recommend potential solutions.”
Solution: be responsible and pay the rent. Or stop being an ASBO. There is always a reason, mostly the tenant’s own doing.
Reluctant Landlord
18:19 PM, 1st August 2023, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 01/08/2023 - 11:14
someone not listed on the TA can now contest a notice of possession when they hit 18???
Surely the are classed only as a permitted occupier? There is no direct contract between them and the landlord and they are there only as a result of the parents who are listed by name on the TA?