CAB Refusing help over Renting problems

f1widow

I have just contacted CAB last evening to go through some problems I am having with my Agent/Landlord.
The Call Handler said she would make me an appointment to speak to someone as I stated I had had further problems than I had in the past discussed with them.

She went through an income questionnaire to see if I could have community legal advice? and then said no my income was too great and that they could not help me further ) - if I needed further help I should seek housing advice - from where I asked a Solicitor she replied. (on paper my income looks good but can assure you I have no money for solicitors She stated that CAB's appointments were very valuable and not to go over any previous advice that I had been given (I had mentioned that a few months ago I had spoken to Shelter - although I felt guilty ringing them and I had got confused over the phone). She stated that she was not trained to give advice - then how could she judge the problems when I had not really gone into any detail.

I am not homeless at the moment but could be facing eviction - Shelter had explained that they thought that some of my tenancy clauses were unfair (too long winded to go through with them on the phone) and that if I needed further advice I could go to the Council or CAB!

The CAB said they do not have anyone who could help with tenancy/housing issues (if thats the case why did someone speak to me in February) but I had already been given general advice from Shelter and therefore they could not deal with me - if i felt that there were unfair terms in my contract or they had breached the terms I should write to the Landlord myself! and once given a notice to quit contact someone then!

At this point in time I am unsure as to whether in some cases my Landlord has breached his agreement and although having worked in an office for many years I am unsure on how to approach the points and I wanted to go over what could happen if the LL does serve me notice and what to look out for if they are doing it incorrectly (so far most things my Landlord/Agent seems to do are a bit different shall we say to most agents!) and I wanted to discuss the whole picture with them - something Shelter do not have the time for.

So is this now what happens CAB are so busy you get turned away if you state your income now - I have never been refused help with them - Ive gone to them to speak to an adviser and basically been told deal with it yourself, wait until something happens or go and pay for a solicitor

Should I make a complaint and try and deal with them again or leave it and muddle through on my own.

N79

You could do worse than post your queries on here - there are several experienced LLs and a few battle hardened Ts.

Another option would be to approach the tenancy relations officer of your local council but they will only be able to give you limited help if your only problem is either arrears or a non fault (S21) possession preceedings.

Jowo_2

CAB is a very busy organisation, a charity, with huge demands on its services. Nobody should feel entitled to have a dedicated caseworker for their issues.

By the sounds of it, your issues relate to specific clauses in your contract so its not surprising that they've suggested you seek advice from a qualified legal advisor.

It's hardly their fault that you don't qualify for free legal aid under the criteria set for it other organisations.

missile

I wanted to discuss the whole picture with them - something Shelter do not have the time for

Neither do CAB.

Most solicitors offer a free initial consultation.

olly300

OP as N79 said post your issues here.

One thing to remember is if you have issues with your tenancy agreement and it's an AST which is periodic, then the landlord rather than deal with those issues will give you notice to quit the property.

Unfortunately both the CAB and Shelter are aware of this practise and if the eviction notice was served properly there is nothing legally you can do or anyhing anyone can do to help you.

tbs624

f1widow wrote: »

I am not homeless at the moment but could be facing eviction - Shelter had explained that they thought that some of my tenancy clauses were unfair (too long winded to go through with them on the phone) and that if I needed further advice I could go to the Council or CAB!

You perhaps need to concentrate less on your sense of injustice vis a vis the CAB worker's comments and more on what the real issue is

1. On what Grounds could you be facing eviction?

2. Only a court can determine whether a tenancy clause is unfair, when either party pursues the other's alleged breach, although your local Trading Standards Office should be able to give you some advice. Do you want to post examples?

tbs624

Shelter, CAB etc don't have unlimited resources. What stuns me is the number of people who will say that they have had fantastic support/advice from either/both but never think of making a donation in return. Yes there are some who genuinely couldn't afford to do so but there are others who could, even a couple of years down the line when things have improved for them.

Trollfever

The two leading national housing charities have declined to help.

You could try this:

http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/


.

tbs624

Community Legal Advice is also funded by legal aid. If the OP didn't qualify for free advice at the CAB then s/he won't do there either, although they may be able to suggest an alternative source of advice.

theartfullodger

The two leading national housing charities have declined to help.

We've heard one side, the OP's side of the story: Some might imagine the other side(s) of the story would be a bit different...

Seems a fairly simple situation to me: If you want help & advice on your own terms you get your wallet out & pay a solicitor.

In my experience both CaB & Shelter do an outstanding job with limited resources, space, offices, salaries and sadly some of their "clients" don't seem to appreciate that these admirable charities do their best but have very limited time & effort to help.. and then some of these "clients" go bad-mouthing them... there's no pleasing some people. Just because you get an ansswer you don't like doesn't mean the advice was wrong.

The OP's case may, of course, be something else...

Cheers!

Lodger

PS Solicitors often don't do what is wanted either.

f1widow

:mad:I see from the general opinion from people who have posted that I was asking for something for nothing or that I did not like the advice I was given - NEITHER ARE TRUE

1)Firstly I was not given any advice (on this occasion) by CAB
2)Secondly I have in the past given a donation to the CAB
3)Thirdly I think Shelter are extremely worthwhile organisation who help so much and again I have donated to them - I did not see the sense in ringing them up when they are extremely busy working for homeless people when my questions were actually quite basic
4) No Shelter had not declined to help they had given basic advice on-line & on the phone - they physically could not see my tenancy agreement down the phone and suggested some one sit and look through it - I did not once state that shelter had not offered to help

I had not realised that you are means tested for CAB advice - when in the past you could ring and speak to someone or visit an office.

I thought this was a non judgemental forums - sadly for the first time I was wrong! A lot of people get advice via here which is free - are we supposed to start paying here as well then if advice should not be free.....

I actually do a lot for charity via knitting for soldiers, babies etc - making things to raise money for the elderly and physically donating money to various charities BUT I just dont have the money to speak to a Solicitor especially when I am at present paying for medical treatment etc

Sorry if I have upset sooooooo many people and I will think next time before I dare air a view on line.

PS Before I get accused of abusing free advice Martin Lewis - I really appreciate all that you do for people and MOST of the forums are a great resource and source for many people who for what ever reason cannot find a solution