Housing Solicitors

Southwark Council in southeast London says it has uncovered a catalogue of planning breaches and poor building and maintenance work during a three-year programme of checking rented property in the borough.

Housing inspectors found unauthorised loft conversions, partition walls that had been removed and numerous changes to buildings which they were not expecting, as well as other serious issues.

Visiting tenants and homeowners in their homes is not a requirement for local authorities, but making visits ensures housing remains in a safe condition and that the council and residents are fulfilling their obligations, as well as checking on the welfare of vulnerable residents.

In one case, a leaseholder with serious mental health issues was found to be in need of help and was living in a home no longer fit for human habitation, said the council.

The resident was referred to hospital to receive treatment – and a care plan was put together to allow the resident to live in suitable, supported accommodation.

Another resident was found to have been carrying out unauthorised works to their home and the building work had adversely affected surrounding homes. The resident was ordered to make good and reinstate the property to its original layout.

Southwark Council aims to have visited every one of its 32,812 tenants by the end of this financial year. So far, almost 80% of the task has been completed –26,076 homes have already been checked.

The council is also visiting those who have bought their council houses.

Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Richard Livingstone, said:

“We have been able to help a great number of residents with problems large and small during the visits.

“We’re not simply being nosy and checking up on people, so I hope the doors continue to open when our staff call round for the final checks.

“We’ve managed to prevent some serious issues and learned a lot about what residents are concerned about – it’s been a very positive exercise.”

The council says a total of 192 issues were dealt with in just 336 initial leaseholder visits – the majority related to unauthorised and often dangerous improvement works to homes, or replacement windows and doors.

Council housing inspectors also found a large number of cases of fire regulation breaches in houses of multiple occupancy – and outstanding repairs, which the council is required to follow up.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise landlords and private sector and public sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Disrepair
• Housing benefit
• Housing fraud
• Landlord & tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Notice to quit
• Right to buy
• Right to rent
• Section 193 (council’s obligation to house)
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis is also a leading provider of Legal Aid housing advice.

For expert legal advice on housing law, contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.