It can be a daunting experience to find yourself without somewhere safe to live, but you are not alone and there is help available. Homelessness legal aid can provide access to professional legal advice and representation to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it, to help those who are particularly vulnerable to use the legal system to challenge unfair treatment, access housing or stop an eviction. But how do you know if you are eligible and what does it involve?
Legal Aid: what’s covered?
Homelessness legal aid is designed to ensure everyone has access to justice, no matter how much money they have. For housing and homelessness problems it will cover emergency issues, for example, preventing an eviction, disputing an unlawful decision made by a local council or dealing with unsafe living conditions. It is especially important for those at risk of homelessness and for those with no secure place to live.
This advice can take many forms, not just legal advice. This can involve going to court with the person, negotiating with a landlord or even an appeal against a decision made by a housing authority. The goal is to not only help in a crisis situation but also to protect the long-term rights of those in vulnerable positions.
Costs and financial eligibility
Who can get help with legal costs? Your income, savings and financial circumstances will affect whether you get help with legal costs. You may qualify automatically if you’re claiming Universal Credit, Income Support, or income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance. If you’re working or have savings, we’ll consider your circumstances in more detail.
It assesses both your disposable income and the value of your assets. This is to ensure that support is available to those who need it most. It can feel intrusive, but is necessary to decide who can access free or subsidised legal help.
Instances Where Legal Aid Applies Automatically
There are a few housing-related situations where you can qualify for legal aid, even if you come from a wealthy background. This includes where you need urgent legal help because you’re at risk of losing your home imminently, or your health and safety is being put at risk due to unsafe living conditions. Examples of this include where your landlord is attempting to evict you without following due legal process, or you are being refused emergency accommodation by your local council.
They exist because a home is seen as a human right. Being made homeless without support is considered a serious level of hardship. The law recognises this and as a result the criteria for urgent cases is dealt with first.
Evidence
As a part of making a legal aid claim you will normally be required to provide evidence of your housing situation. This could be in the form of letters from a landlord, court papers or local council documentation. If you are already homeless then evidence such as rejection letters from temporary housing suppliers and written correspondence from relevant authorities can be provided.
Lawyers and advisers can assist in ensuring that you obtain the correct documentation; however, you should not delay. A housing problem can develop in a few days. The longer you wait to obtain help, the fewer solutions may be available to you.
Where to Find Support
If you think you may be entitled to legal aid, the first step is to contact a solicitor or legal adviser who specialises in housing law. Many law firms in London have specialist housing departments and there are also some charities which run free advice clinics. You can find a directory of registered providers on the government’s legal aid website which should help you to find someone local to you.
Citizens Advice is also worth checking out. They’ll be able to provide you with a first point of advice about your eligibility, and can also point you in the direction of legal professionals who may be able to take on your case. However, in cases of urgency, you can contact a solicitor directly for the quickest route to immediate help.
At Qazi and Co Solicitors Limited, we will do our very best to work with your landlord towards a sensible outcome and avoid court at all costs. However, if your case does go to trial, our expert solicitors will ensure you are properly represented in Court and your rights are protected. If you decide to instruct our firm, then our professional team will support you at every stage of the proceedings. You must contact our office as soon as possible if you have received an eviction notice, in order to allow us to act on your behalf at the earliest opportunity.
Are You Eligible for Homelessness Legal Aid Support
It can be a daunting experience to find yourself without somewhere safe to live, but you are not alone and there is help available. Homelessness legal aid can provide access to professional legal advice and representation to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it, to help those who are particularly vulnerable to use the legal system to challenge unfair treatment, access housing or stop an eviction. But how do you know if you are eligible and what does it involve?
Legal Aid: what’s covered?
Homelessness legal aid is designed to ensure everyone has access to justice, no matter how much money they have. For housing and homelessness problems it will cover emergency issues, for example, preventing an eviction, disputing an unlawful decision made by a local council or dealing with unsafe living conditions. It is especially important for those at risk of homelessness and for those with no secure place to live.
This advice can take many forms, not just legal advice. This can involve going to court with the person, negotiating with a landlord or even an appeal against a decision made by a housing authority. The goal is to not only help in a crisis situation but also to protect the long-term rights of those in vulnerable positions.
Costs and financial eligibility
Who can get help with legal costs? Your income, savings and financial circumstances will affect whether you get help with legal costs. You may qualify automatically if you’re claiming Universal Credit, Income Support, or income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance. If you’re working or have savings, we’ll consider your circumstances in more detail.
It assesses both your disposable income and the value of your assets. This is to ensure that support is available to those who need it most. It can feel intrusive, but is necessary to decide who can access free or subsidised legal help.
Instances Where Legal Aid Applies Automatically
There are a few housing-related situations where you can qualify for legal aid, even if you come from a wealthy background. This includes where you need urgent legal help because you’re at risk of losing your home imminently, or your health and safety is being put at risk due to unsafe living conditions. Examples of this include where your landlord is attempting to evict you without following due legal process, or you are being refused emergency accommodation by your local council.
They exist because a home is seen as a human right. Being made homeless without support is considered a serious level of hardship. The law recognises this and as a result the criteria for urgent cases is dealt with first.
Evidence
As a part of making a legal aid claim you will normally be required to provide evidence of your housing situation. This could be in the form of letters from a landlord, court papers or local council documentation. If you are already homeless then evidence such as rejection letters from temporary housing suppliers and written correspondence from relevant authorities can be provided.
Lawyers and advisers can assist in ensuring that you obtain the correct documentation; however, you should not delay. A housing problem can develop in a few days. The longer you wait to obtain help, the fewer solutions may be available to you.
Where to Find Support
If you think you may be entitled to legal aid, the first step is to contact a solicitor or legal adviser who specialises in housing law. Many law firms in London have specialist housing departments and there are also some charities which run free advice clinics. You can find a directory of registered providers on the government’s legal aid website which should help you to find someone local to you.
Citizens Advice is also worth checking out. They’ll be able to provide you with a first point of advice about your eligibility, and can also point you in the direction of legal professionals who may be able to take on your case. However, in cases of urgency, you can contact a solicitor directly for the quickest route to immediate help.
At Qazi and Co Solicitors Limited, we will do our very best to work with your landlord towards a sensible outcome and avoid court at all costs. However, if your case does go to trial, our expert solicitors will ensure you are properly represented in Court and your rights are protected. If you decide to instruct our firm, then our professional team will support you at every stage of the proceedings. You must contact our office as soon as possible if you have received an eviction notice, in order to allow us to act on your behalf at the earliest opportunity.
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