Landlord & Tenant

Clark Willis Law Firm is one of very few firms in the North East to offer advice and assistance in Housing Law. We have a strong reputation and specialism in Housing Law and are experienced in acting for Tenants, Private Landlords and Housing Associations.  We hold a specialist quality mark awarded by the Legal Services Commission since 2005.

What can we help you with?

• Repossession– a claim for possession has been made or threatened in relation to rent arrears or mortgage arrears
• Anti social behaviour – complaints of nuisance or illegal activity in the locality of the property has been alleged leading to court proceedings for repossession or an ‘anti social behaviour injunction’
• Disrepair –  a claim for remedial work or compensation concerning the poor state of residential property
• Rehousing – a review of a local authority’s decision to prevent an applicant bidding for alternative accommodation
• Homelessness – a review of a local authority’s decision not to accept a homeless duty, not to offer temporary accommodation, an omission to consider a homeless application and/or a review of the suitability of accommodation offered
• Harassment/unlawful eviction – a claim or potential claim regarding an eviction which has taken place without a court order and/or breach of the right to allow a tenant peaceful enjoyment of a property. This can include an injunction application by a tenant and/or claim for compensation
• Tenancy Deposits – a claim or potential claim against a private landlord for compensation due to failure to protect a bond or deposit in an authorised tenancy deposit scheme
• Landlord and tenant matters – all other matters between landlords and tenants including service charges and disputes regarding terms and conditions of a tenancy

Funding

Clark Willis Law Firm has a contract with the Legal Services Commission, which means that public funding (or legal aid as it was previously known) is available for certain legal issues if you are financially eligible. This depends on your income.  If you are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Guarantee Credit you are likely to be entitled to legal aid.   Clark Willis Law Firm also undertakes work on an hourly rate or fixed fee basis.

Housing Court Duty Possession Scheme

Clark Willis Law Firm manages the Housing Court Duty Possession Scheme at Darlington County Court. This is a scheme funded by the Legal Services Commission providing free advice to tenants and mortgage borrowers.

We recommend you obtain legal advice before your hearing date. You can book an appointment with Clark Willis Law Firm by calling 01325 281111 or emailing enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk.

Specialist services for Private Landlord and Housing Associations

Clark Willis Law Firm act on behalf of Private Landlords and Housing Associations throughout the region. Our services fit in with your requirements, from drafting a tenancy agreement to full housing management.

We are qualified solicitors and experts in housing law. We understand the issues the housing sector faces and the contentious issues which exist between landlords and tenants. We can help you with the following:

• Tenancy Agreements - expert advice on your rights and obligations as a landlord
• Possession Proceedings – cost effectively helping you to recover your property at the earliest opportunity
• Disrepair Claims - expert advice to minimise exposure to risk and avoid expensive litigation
• Legal Services to Housing Management - Providing you with the legal support needed to operate efficiently and effectively as a private landlord or housing association

Contact Us

To book an appointment or make an enquiry please contact us today by telephone 01325 2811 11 or email enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk

 
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.