A government scheme to restore free expert legal advice for people facing eviction or home repossession has gone live from today. The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service expects to help some 38,000 people a year.
The advice will be available from the moment a written notice, which could be in the form of an email or letter, is received by a tenant or homeowner. Individuals will also be able to have legal representation in court, regardless of their financial circumstances, which will be offered on the day of hearings, the Ministry of Justice said.
The scheme is funded under an additional £10m a year promised last year for housing legal aid.
Justice minister Lord Bellamy said: ‘Having access to the right legal advice at the earliest point possible is crucial for those who face losing their home, to ensure they have the support and help they need. We are creating this new service so that fewer people lose their home and can get help with their finances and resolve issues before they escalate.’
The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service has been designed to support wider government work to reduce homelessness and improve the private rented sector for responsible renters and good faith landlords through the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.
Minister for housing and homelessness Felicity Buchan said: ‘I want to ensure we are giving households all the help and support they need to stay in their homes. This new service allows us to…ensure tenants are getting the right legal help and support – all part of our wider work to prevent homelessness before it occurs.’
Executive director of public impact at the National Housing Federation Rhys Moore said it was ‘positive to see the government providing legal support for people facing eviction or repossession’.
He added: ‘Access to advice and support as early as possible is crucial to helping people navigate the legal system at a time of immense stress and difficulty.’
