County Court Housing Advice Schemes
Aims Of The Schemes
County court housing advice and representation schemes aim to provide free, independent and confidential advice and representation to homeowners and tenants attending hearings in possession proceedings.
These are usually brought on grounds of arrears, who either have not previously obtained advice and/or are without legal representation.
Most schemes have been initiated by advice agencies and/or solicitors in private practice who attend court on a voluntary basis, but the impetus for some has come from the courts.
Distinctions Between Various Schemes
The way in which schemes are organised varies considerably. The main distinctions are:
- some deal with either mortgage or rent cases - others with both;
- activities at court are commonly limited to dealing with repossession cases, but some also provide help with other matters, e.g. debt problems unrelated to housing;
- most involve duty advisers attending court on a rota basis on set days when cases are listed for hearing - only a few have a permanent or daily presence at court;
- some are staffed by advisers from only one advice agency, others by advisers from several agencies, including local solicitors' firms.
As well as performing their core role, these schemes are well placed to identify other advice needs which might otherwise not be met. Few can meet clients' every need for advice, but duty advisers are often able to make referrals to agencies which can.
Tenancy Support
We offer a Tenancy Support service to provide advice, assistance and support to tenants with private rented accommodation, housing associations (with permanent tenancies) and owner-occupiers who due to a variety of reasons, face the possibility of losing their homes in the near future.
We will work with the client to find a solution to the problem, will mediate with your landlord or lender and put workable proposals on your behalf where appropriate. You will also be given free legal advice and support where required.
Tenancy Support covers:
- financial problems and solutions
- landlord and tenant law
- support for court attendance
- anti-social behaviour
- mediation with landlords and lenders
- liaising with other agencies
- illegal eviction and harassment
We also work closely Poole Citizens' Advice Bureau and have set up a money advice project. They offer free, confidential and impartial advice on rent or mortgage arrears and other debt problems.
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