Clark Willis has been championing people’s housing rights since it acquired its specialist quality mark from the Legal Services Commission in 2005

As one of only a very few firms in the North East to undertake housing work, we have a particular strength and specialism in this area of law.  We offer a comprehensive service to all clients and agencies alike, who require expert advice and assistance.

If you have a housing query or need help and advice in defending a claim, telephone or email us at 01325 74 56 93  or at enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk  Our Housing lawyers will provide you with legal advice and practical assistance on any housing related matter you may have.

Our Housing Lawyers are:

    1.    Mrs Kelly Bushby
    2.    Miss Diane Hall
    3.    Miss Sarah Hancocks
    4.    Mrs Stacey Midcalf
    5.    Miss Joanna Mahon

We represent clients in all aspects of housing law including:-

• Possession & Eviction Hearings
• Disrepair
• Homelessness
• Unlawful Eviction / Harassment from landlords
• Tenancy Deposit Schemes/ Return of Bonds
• Anti-Social behaviour injunctions

We are members of the Darlington and Hartlepool County Court Duty Housing Scheme.  All our work is free to you if you are on benefits or a low income, and if you are not, we offer an initial 30 minutes of free advice.  We can offer appointments at our main office and will even carry out home visits for those who are unable to attend.   Please contact us to discuss your matter by calling;


For further information on housing law matters see below.

Possession & Eviction Hearings
Repossession doesn’t happen automatically. It may be possible to stop the process at any stage. Just because you have arrears does not mean you will lose your home.  Even if you have breached a Court Order you may still be able to remain in your home.

Disrepair
If you are a private tenant and your home needs repairs, your landlord is responsible for most repairs, but you also have some responsibilities.  Council and Housing Association landlords are normally responsible for most repairs. As a tenant you are probably responsible for some minor maintenance and for putting right any damage you have caused.

Homelessness
You don’t have to be living on the street to be homeless. You may be sleeping on a friend’s sofa, staying in a hostel or living in overcrowded conditions.  Homelessness can be avoided if you act quickly and get the right help.

Unlawful Eviction
All landlords have to follow special legal procedures in order to evict tenants. There are laws to protect you.  Whether or not your landlord can evict you and how the process works will depend on the type of tenancy you have. If your landlord doesn’t follow the right procedure s/he may be committing a criminal offence.  You may have been threatened with unlawful eviction or been unlawfully evicted. If so call us now.
Tenancy Deposits

From 6th April 2007 when you pay a tenancy deposit for an assured short hold tenancy the landlord or letting agent must protect your deposit through a Government backed tenancy deposit scheme. If your deposit is not protected your landlord could be ordered to pay you 3 times the amount of your bond.  If you don’t know whether your bond is protected, call us.

Anti-Social Behaviour
As a result of the Anti Social behaviour Act 2003 local authorities can now apply for anti social behaviour injunctions (ASBIs) against individuals who are causing anti- social behaviour.  An ASBI is a civil order obtained from the County Court that can control and remedy anti-social behaviour.  An injunction can be applied for against tenants, owner occupiers and non-tenants where their conduct “is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person” and directly or indirectly relates to or affects housing management functions of social landlords.

Are you being threatened with an ASBI or have you breached an ASBI?  If so call us now.