Housing Advice Service

Provides specialist advice and help to people who have housing problems. Can offer advice and assistance with:

• Renting from private landlords

• Long and short term hostels

• Registering for council housing

• Moving to a new home in another part of the country

• Applications for sheltered housing

• Referrals to other voluntary and statutory agencies for assistance

They provide advice:

• If you are a private or housing association tenant

• If you are a homeowner facing mortgage repossession

• If your landlord is refusing to return your deposit

• If your landlord is refusing to carry out repairs

• If you have been given a notice asking you to leave

In some circumstances they can help with:

• Advice about serious rent arrears if you are a private tenant

• Acting as a mediator for you and your landlord or mortgage provider before court proceedings commence against you, and represent you if your case goes to court

• Advice with mortgage arrears

• Preparations for court summons, defences and counter claims

• Preparations for small claims court actions