Catherine Watkins
Cwmbran NP44 1UG
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Cwmbran
29 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Catherine Watkins is an experienced family and property lawyer based in Cwmbran, with 29 years of legal expertise. Fluent in both English and Welsh, Catherine is a key member of Newbold Solicitors, where she specializes in family law,...

What does social welfare & housing involve?
- Homelessness assistance: Applying to local authorities for housing support, challenging unsuitable temporary accommodation, or appealing a homelessness decision.
- Housing benefit and Universal Credit: Disputing eligibility or payment amounts, and navigating appeals processes if a claim is refused or reduced.
- Social housing rights: Understanding your rights as a tenant of a council or housing association, including security of tenure and succession rights.
- Disrepair and maintenance: Holding social landlords accountable for unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, and seeking compensation where necessary.
- Evictions and possession proceedings: Addressing rent arrears, anti-social behaviour allegations, and legal defences to prevent unlawful evictions.
How can a solicitor help with social welfare & housing, and what does it cost?
A specialist solicitor or housing adviser can:
- Provide advice and representation: Explaining your entitlements, filling in forms, and challenging negative decisions from councils or benefit agencies.
- Negotiate with landlords and local authorities: Seeking repairs, preventing eviction, or improving living conditions through dialogue or mediation.
- Appeal in court or tribunals: If negotiations fail, a solicitor can present your case before a judge or tribunal, ensuring legal procedures are correctly followed.
Costs vary based on the complexity of your case and whether legal aid is available. Some individuals qualify for legal aid, which can cover part or all of a solicitor’s fees in housing matters. Otherwise, rates typically range from £100–£300 per hour, though some firms may offer fixed-fee or reduced-fee arrangements for certain cases. An initial consultation—often free or at a low cost—can help you understand your options, likely expenses, and the best steps to secure safe, stable housing.
5 Solicitors Conveyancing (Area of expertise might be Social welfare and housing)
Karen Rieveley
London SW11 4HY
Social welfare and housing Solicitors London
33 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Karen Rieveley is a highly experienced solicitor based in London, with over 33 years of expertise in conveyancing, wills, trusts, and estate matters. As a Director of Hodders Law Limited, she has played a pivotal role in the...

Ella Bulchenko
Glasgow G2 2RQ
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Glasgow
16 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Ella Bulchenko is a highly skilled solicitor based in Glasgow, specializing in conveyancing, landlord-tenant matters, and commercial property transactions. With 16 years of legal experience, she has developed a strong reputation for providing strategic and detail-oriented legal solutions...

Dean Smith
Cardiff CF24 5PJ
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Cardiff
11 years of experience
Accepts legal aid in Social welfare and housing
Dean Smith is a highly skilled solicitor based in Cardiff with 11 years of experience, specialising in criminal law, employment law, litigation, dispute resolution, conveyancing, consumer rights, and commercial law. His diverse legal practice encompasses complex matters such...

Ian Hay
London SW18 1GN
Social welfare and housing Solicitors London
40 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Ian Hay is a highly experienced solicitor based in London, with over 40 years in the legal profession, specializing in property law. As a founding partner of Murray Hay, Ian has dedicated more than three decades to managing...

Sushil Gaikwad
London SE18 6FH
Social welfare and housing Solicitors London
15 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
With 15 years of experience, Sushil Gaikwad specializes in a wide range of legal areas, including employment, family law, commercial law, and financial services. He offers expert legal services in areas such as dispute resolution, immigration, intellectual property,...
