We need legal representation (Renters)

Ellacopter

My partner and I moved into a flat in March and from day 1 we were surrounded by undisclosed building work (causing both immense noise and damage to our flat) and horrible damp problems, and later on, threatening emails from someone claiming to be speaking on behalf of the landlord.

After several months of complaining we were sent an email saying that the landlord would be evicting us when our six months were up (Assured Shorthold etc etc).

We viewed this as a revenge attack and advice from Shelter agreed with us.

Fortunately we have since moved into a much nicer flat with a seemingly lovely landlord and, more strangely, a decent agency.

Unfortunately the size of the case meant that Shelter don't have the time for their people to look into the case further for us and have suggested we find a solicitor/lawyer who would offer us a NWNF arrangement.

This seems to be a bit of a minefield! Does anyone have an recommendations of a legal team who would deal with the property side of things, damages to both ourselves and our property (furniture etc) and the misselling of the flat in the first place?

Thanks!

El

marksoton

You what?

Exactly what is it you're after. And on what grounds?

PasturesNew

If you have a specific claim to make, you get yourself a solicitor and attempt to sue. If you're not wealthy enough for that, it's pretty much tough. That's life.

You need to work out what you're asking for. What damage, what items, what value, do you have evidence, etc etc. Then work out whether it's worth it.

Your post isn't specific about what your complaint actually is; to sue you need to be specific, without emotion.

Ellacopter

Shelter said we had grounds for compensation for a couple of things;

- the misselling of the flat (we weren't told there would be building work and we were lied to about a supposedly fixed leak amongst other things).

- damage to our belongings due to the damp problems.

booksurr

no one on here can possibly say if you have a case or not

your real question appears to be can anyone recommend a no win no fee solicitor who takes tenancy cases? Maybe there is someone who has had such experience, but if they have they have never posted on here

this is the first result from my google search. It is just that, a search result, it is not a recommendation, however their free consultation (as most solicitors do anyway) will answer whether you have a case or not a damn sight better than any opinion you will get on here

http://www.helpfortenants.co.uk

FBaby

How did Shelter assessed that the damp was due to construction problems rather than condensation, ie. your fault? How did they assess that the landlord knew of the extent of the work and how it was likely to impact you and therefore misrepresented what they were renting?

Good luck with this one!

whatajoke2016

As much as Shelter can be there and there can be legal aid, the truth is that none of them want to do anything to assist unless you pay or "don't have the capacity" to deal with your case.

glasgowdan

Instead of wanting revenge on the landlord it would be less stressful and a much happier choice to just put it all behind you, unless these damages you're talking about are significantly more than just a sofa or so.

theGrinch

look forward not back

DoctorDooLittle

I'd start by finding out a bit more about the landlord you're planning to sue.
Do they actually have that much money?

davidmcn

DoctorDooLittle wrote: »

I'd start by finding out a bit more about the landlord you're planning to sue.
Do they actually have that much money?

Indeed - "no win no fee" doesn't help you much if you win, fail to get any money out of the landlord, but then have to pay your legal bill.