Housing Association and homeloss payment

GrumpyD

Hi All

looking for some advice in regards to my and my partners current situation, regarding homeloss payments that we have been told about.  

we currently rent a flat from a HA and are having to move out by mid 2024, due to the building needing extensive repairs that the HA have decided are too much.  Although the property is owned by a HA, it is let to us for a fixed term on an assured shorthold tenancy agreement and not classed as social housing.

The HA has informed us that

our deposit will be released to us as soon as we find a new place (which we have thankfully)

will provide us with a reference

no longer require us to give notice

offered us existing white goods (fridge/freezer and washing machine.  washing machine is on its way out both are old)

help with moving costs of up to £1000 (this has since changed from the original letter we received to up to £3000)


the homeloss payment we have been informed about is £8100, but we are not being offered this, as we apparently are classed as private rental and not social housing.  From what ive read online about the payment there is no distinction between the two in regards to the payment.

there are a group of approx. 15-20 residents in our building that have been in touch with a no win no fee solicitor who has said he is confident about our right to the payment, but also wants to add extra compensation on for so of the issues we have faced up to this point with the building.  however he takes 25% of any amount we win, me and my partner are not sure about whether this is a good avenue to go down.  as if we are entitled to the homeloss payment we would rather get that ourselves and not pay someone else to do what we ourselves could do.

any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

HampshireH

Personally I'd avoid any solicitor taking a 25% fee as they earn their money by you getting more. That may make it very stressful for you especially of they want to "add on" things which needn't be.

If you do go down that route be sure to be 100 % on the terms and conditions

pinkshoes

If it's available to any tenant then surely anyone who gets issued an S21 and evicted could claim?!?!

I've never actually heard of it but looked it up:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_conditions/occupiers_displaced_by_poor_conditions/compensation_for_people_displaced_from_their_home#:~:text=A home loss payment is,to a prescribed maximum amount.

@GrumpyD it's often better to claim yourself rather than going through a solicitor. The solicitor will only take on the case if they think they'll win, so if they've taken it on, then you should take it on too for yourself!