If you face housing problems, there are several ways to get housing legal advice in the UK. Understanding your options can help you secure legal assistance to protect your rights.
Eligibility for Housing Legal Advice
You might qualify for free legal housing advice if you:
- Have a serious housing problem
- Receive benefits or have a low income
What Housing Legal Aid Can Help With?
Legal aid can assist with various housing issues, including:
- Eviction: Stopping or delaying eviction from a tenancy.
- Repossession: Preventing repossession due to mortgage arrears.
- Illegal Eviction: Addressing illegal eviction and landlord harassment.
- Homelessness: Challenging council decisions on homeless applications.
- Repairs: Sometimes, helping with serious repair problems in your home.
Who Can Get Housing Legal Aid?
To qualify for housing legal aid, you must usually be on certain benefits or have a low income. Here’s a breakdown:
| Benefits | Eligibility |
| Universal Credit (UC) | Eligible |
| Pension Credit Guarantee | Eligible |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | Eligible |
| Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) | Eligible |
| Income Support | Eligible |
If you do not receive any of these benefits, you might still qualify if:
- Your monthly income before tax is less than £2,657.
- After paying for housing and essential expenses, you have less than £733 a month.
Savings and Other Assets
Legal aid eligibility also depends on your savings and assets:
- Savings Threshold: You cannot have £8,000 or more in savings or assets.
- Assets Include: Property, cars, and jewellery.
- Home Equity: Your home’s equity might affect eligibility. £100,000 of equity is ignored, and £200,000 is ignored if you face repossession for mortgage arrears.
The legal aid agency may require repayment of some costs if you retain your home, typically only after your home is sold.
Finding Legal Aid Advisers
Several services offer free housing legal advice through legal aid:
- Housing Disrepair Services: Find your closest Housing Disrepair service for assistance.
- Law Centres: Provide legal help in various locations.
- Local Solicitors: Many offer services funded by legal aid.
- Citizens Advice: Offers guidance and support for housing issues.
You can find a complete list of legal aid providers on the GOV.UK website.
Legal Help Over the Phone
Civil Legal Advice (CLA) provides telephone advice and casework:
Services Offered:
- Advice on housing issues
- Assistance with court documents
- Referral to local services for court help
- Advocacy with councils for homeless help
Contact Details:
- Call: 0345 345 4 345
- Text: ‘legal aid’ and your name to 80010 for a callback.
Learn more about Civil Legal Advice on GOV.UK.
