Have you been threatened with eviction?

Do you need assistance with getting housed by the Council?

Are you homeless or are there reasons why you cannot continue to live in your current property?

Are you in rent arrears?

Has your mortgage lender applied to the court for possession of your home?

Have you been accused of anti-social behaviour?

If so, we may be able to assist.

Our solicitors and advisors have expertise in offering advice in housing law. We are one of few firms offering such an expertise. We are committed to ensuring people’s housing needs and rights are recognised by their landlord, housing associations or the Local Authorities.

We have a wide range of experience with cases being in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

“We recognise that the threat of eviction or homelessness can be an extremely stressful and daunting experience and our friendly advisors are on hand to provide advice and assistance to you at a time you need it most.”

We offer housing advice in Hampshire under our Social Welfare contract with the Legal Aid Agency which consists of our team of solicitors and advisors offering advice on Housing Law, Welfare Benefits and Debt, in conjunction with our Consortium Partners, Portsmouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Havant Citizen Advice Bureau.

Housing Advice Clinic

If you wish to discuss your concerns with an advisor simply call Lynda Mills or Maureen Treagust on 02392 483322 to book an appointment (we have bookable appointment available on Tuesdays and Thursdays).

An advisor will discuss your housing problems with you in this bookable appointment. We confirm this is a first free interview. At this appointment you will be assessed to see if you are eligible for legal aid and if so we may be able to open a file to assist you further with your problem.

Outreach Sessions

In order to offer housing advice across South Hampshire we have set up outreach sessions to ensure there are access points across Hampshire so that we can come to you.

We currently attend:

• Gosport Voluntary Action Group Offices, Martin Snape House, 96 Pavillion Way, Gosport, PO12 1FG – this takes place every Monday from 1pm-4pm.
• Portsmouth Citizen Advice Bureau, Drummond House, Dugald Drummond Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2BB – this takes place every Friday and appointments are available every 45 minutes.

If you need an appointment at any of these outreach offices please contact the Havant office on 02392 483322 to arrange a suitable appointment.

Court Advice Scheme

Swain & Co. Solicitors have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide representation at Portsmouth County Court on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to those persons with possession hearings.

We have advisors on hand at Court to represent anyone facing eviction from their home, regardless of their income. If you have a possession hearing listed on one of those days, simply attend Court and ask to speak to an advisor from the Housing Advice Desk. We can negotiate with your landlord or lender, attend the hearing with you and write to you with a follow up letter of advice. In certain circumstances we may be able to continue assisting you under legal aid or Public Funding from the Legal Aid Agency, if you meet the criteria.

If you wish to discuss your case with someone before you attend court then please do not hesitate to contact the Havant office first on 02392 483322.

Other areas of law

We have a vast range of solicitors and advisors specialising in many different areas of law. Therefore, where necessary we can also ensure you are offered advice in related matters from our colleagues, whether it is family, personal injury, benefits, debt or community care to ensure you are offered a unified service.