Homeless,please help

trafalgar_2

update...................


whole family,mother,father and 3 children are now in temporary B&B accommodation ..................council still refusing to accept they didn't make themselves homeless intentionally

but they have put their belongings in storage for them,they will now try to challenge the ruling ....................thanks everyone for your advice,keep if coming as I think this isn't over yet


as regards the 'challenge the decision'.........is that the same as ask for a review of the case or is that after a review?


They have spoken to shelter and CAB they both say the council are wrong ,BUT it's getting the council to see that too:cool:

will add more as I know it


It had been to court and they and the council had tried negotiating with the landlord etc,but nothing worked.....anyway they are out now so now it's more about getting permanent residence somewhere

mandi

trafalgar wrote:

update...................


whole family,mother,father and 3 children are now in temporary B&B accommodation ..................council still refusing to accept they didn't make themselves homeless intentionally

but they have put their belongings in storage for them,they will now try to challenge the ruling ....................thanks everyone for your advice,keep if coming as I think this isn't over yet


as regards the 'challenge the decision'.........is that the same as ask for a review of the case or is that after a review?


They have spoken to shelter and CAB they both say the council are wrong ,BUT it's getting the council to see that too:cool:

will add more as I know it


It had been to court and they and the council had tried negotiating with the landlord etc,but nothing worked.....anyway they are out now so now it's more about getting permanent residence somewhere

Hi Traf,

I believe " challenge the decision, is entirely different from " review".. has anyone thought about getting your local MP involved.. I know from experience that the higher up the ladder you climb , the more " people listen"...
You could also check your home contents insurance, as some inc mine give legal advice..although you may have to say it s a close relative though.. But they wont ask for names..

Please keep us posted

Mandi

trafalgar_2

Thanks Mandi,they aren't related to me at all,just a friend of daughters (from school days really),thanks for clearing up the differance between the two..........I wasn't sure,the husband/father has made an appointment to speak to a solicitor as the cab said it would help if the council get difficult,the process will already be under way,I will keep you all updated though and cheers for your help:D

mandi

Thanks Traf,

If they are in receipt of benefits, then Husband/father should get financial help with the solicitors fees too..

Wish them luck for me...

Mandi

chugalug

Your friend needs a solicitor with a housing franchise. They need to have a contract with the community legal services to give specialist housing advice. That way, they will get proper advice plus be eligible for 'legal aid'. I just wanted to say that just because your friend is seeing a 'solicitor' doesnt mean they'll be able to help. A solicitor isn't able to deal with all areas of law. The CAB should be able to give her a list of solicitors who are able to help.

Shelter are really the best for this type of case though (IMO).

A review is a challenge to the decision and needs to be made within 21 days of the date of the council's decision.

What sort of accommodation was your friend evicted from?? Was it private rented accommodation or council/HA?? Sounds like PRA. Anyway, let us know how things go.

Fran

chugalug wrote:

Your friend needs a solicitor with a housing franchise. They need to have a contract with the community legal services to give specialist housing advice. That way, they will get proper advice plus be eligible for 'legal aid'. I just wanted to say that just because your friend is seeing a 'solicitor' doesnt mean they'll be able to help. A solicitor isn't able to deal with all areas of law. The CAB should be able to give her a list of solicitors who are able to help. .......

A housing specialist at CAB will have a contract like this.

chugalug

I keep forgetting that don't I??? The only problem with the CAB is that you have to see a general adviser first and then be referred to the specialist caseworker - who may have a long list. At least thats how it worked when I ran a franchise at a CAB. With Shelter, you can see a specialist straight away in drop in and they will take on your case there and then. Given the time constraints.... Anyway, Shelter isnt always an option cos they're few and far between. Might be a local law centre though. Just wanted to make the point about seeing a specialist and that seeing a solicitor doesnt guarantee help with the problem!!

trafalgar_2

chugalug wrote:

Your friend needs a solicitor with a housing franchise. They need to have a contract with the community legal services to give specialist housing advice. That way, they will get proper advice plus be eligible for 'legal aid'. I just wanted to say that just because your friend is seeing a 'solicitor' doesnt mean they'll be able to help. A solicitor isn't able to deal with all areas of law. The CAB should be able to give her a list of solicitors who are able to help.

Shelter are really the best for this type of case though (IMO).

A review is a challenge to the decision and needs to be made within 21 days of the date of the council's decision.

What sort of accommodation was your friend evicted from?? Was it private rented accommodation or council/HA?? Sounds like PRA. Anyway, let us know how things go.

It was private rented flat ,they had all sorts of problems with getting the rent paidn by benefits and also got behind on it themselves too

Fran

chugalug wrote:

I keep forgetting that don't I???

The information is for people that don't know as well as the ones that forget.

The only problem with the CAB is that you have to see a general adviser first and then be referred to the specialist caseworker - who may have a long list.

However, Citizens Advice Bureaux are independently run and each one will have it's own set of specialist advisors (or not), opening times etc. People should always check with their local one. Someone in an emergency situation would be dealt with quicker in my experience.

With Shelter, you can see a specialist straight away in drop in and they will take on your case there and then. Given the time constraints.... Anyway, Shelter isnt always an option cos they're few and far between. Might be a local law centre though. Just wanted to make the point about seeing a specialist and that seeing a solicitor doesnt guarantee help with the problem!!

Yes, and CAB might well refer cases to Shelter anyway, the important thing is that people are aware of the options as you've said.

Fran

trafalgar wrote:

They have spoken to shelter and CAB they both say the council are wrong ,BUT it's getting the council to see that too:cool:...

The part that the council are wrong might be to do with any Housing Benefit that didn't come through quickly enough for the landlord. Are they in a similar postion with Council Tax Benefit? If so they should get this checked out urgently.