Free legal help offered to tenants facing eviction

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.

‘Crucial for those who face losing their home’

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.

‘Giving households all the help and support they need’

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.”

‘There needs to be an equitable system in place’

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.”

Aims to improve the quality of the private rented sector

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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