Catherine Watkins
Cwmbran NP44 1UG
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Cwmbran
29 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Catherine Watkins is an experienced family and property lawyer based in Cwmbran & Barry and cover South wales & Bristol, with 29 years of legal expertise. Fluent in both English and Welsh, Catherine is a key member of...
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 (domaine de droit rattaché pour Social welfare and housing)
Diarmuid McKeown
Belfast BT1 3GN
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Belfast
47 years of experience
Accepts legal aid in Social welfare and housing
Areas of Practice Personal Injury My firm McKeowns is recognised as a leading Personal Injury practice within Northern Ireland. Our approach to handling claims has been centred entirely on caring for clients. From the moment of instruction until...
Karl Lewis
Wrexham LL11 1LG
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Wrexham
21 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Karl Lewis is an experienced solicitor based in Wrexham, with over 21 years of expertise in property law. He specializes in both residential and commercial conveyancing, as well as landlord and tenant matters. Since joining PSR Solicitors in...
Haroon Bashir
Sheffield S9 1TP
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Sheffield
8 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Haroon Bashir is a dedicated solicitor based in Sheffield with 8 years of experience, specializing in litigation and conveyancing. He holds a Law Degree from Sheffield Hallam University and an LL.M in International Human Rights Law from the...
Mark Cairns
Derbyshire DE55 7DD
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Derbyshire
41 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
With 41 years of experience, Mark Cairns is a seasoned solicitor specializing in residential and commercial conveyancing, wills, trusts, estates, and neighbour disputes. Having joined Rickards & Cleaver in 1986 and later becoming a Partner, he has a...
Syd Brown
Belfast BT1 3GN
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Belfast
28 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Syd Brown is an experienced lawyer based in Belfast, renowned for his expertise in property law, wills, trusts, estate matters, and dispute resolution. With 28 years of legal practice, he has developed a solid reputation for delivering high-quality...