Housing assistance from Legal Services Agency in Glasgow

Several services are offered by Legal Services Agency, however the number one request for help from individuals is for eviction prevention from tenants. Many homeowners also request assistance in dealing with the local Mortgage Repossession Courts.

Low income households can contact the Housing and General Court Department for an appointment and in order to get more information on the programmes they administer. Associates from Legal Services Agency will represent people from Glasgow and nearby towns such as Inverclyde that meet income and other conditions that are in place.

The focus of the agency is on some or all of the following. They assist with both landlord and tenant cases, including defending individuals dealing with evictions and in general preventing homelessness. They have information on social welfare law and can direct clients to schemes or grants for paying their rent and other costs. Staff also work to provide free representation and advice in all relevant tribunals and courts.

In general, LSA aims to provide services to any person or family in Glasgow that is vulnerable and at risk of losing their home and/or becoming homeless. Staff will both represent and advice tenants on their rights and any emergency rental assistance programmes that are offered. They also represent homeowners that reside in the area and can assist other needy family members.

There is help arranged for anyone that is vulnerable or struggling. This includes low income individuals with disabilities, whether physical or mental. Anyone that is now in an institution, whether hospital, prison, or residential establishment may get assistance as well. To learn more on the programmes, stop by LSA’s main office which is located at NGAG – North Glasgow Advice Centre, the Fleming House, or try the Inverclyde Housing Rights Project in Greenock.

The cause of the hardship is also addressed. Someone who is behind on their housing payments is probably facing other issues, such as unemployment, bereavement, illness, or death of a family member. Those may be the cause of their eviction or mortgage arrears. In this case, Legal Services Agency (LSA) will coordinate advice for those clients to prevent the challenge from reoccurring.

Volunteers and staff work closely with other partners and charity organisations in Glasgow to ensure that income qualified clients obtain the best advice possible. This may include things such as budgeting and information on various housing benefits in the area. Or they can get referred to employment programmes.

In addition to above, other types of legal assistance for housing issues include the following.

• Eviction defense for tenants. They represent clients in the private sector or that are part of the Registered Social Landlords. There is information on housing law in both the public and private sector.
• Advocates help with stopping mortgage repossession and information on eliminating arrears.
• Homeless prevention is available, whether actual or threatened.
• Other services from Legal Services Agency include help eliminating discrimination, disputed debts with landlords, and information on social welfare law, including community care grants.
• The agency can advice those tenants that have turned to payday loans for their rental payments or that have incurred other debts.

Assistance for the homeless is also available. They can get representation and advice to help them obtain appropriate private accommodation. They can learn about bond programmes or schemes to pay a deposit as well, if needed.

To request help, Legal Services provides free advice, suggestions and representation to tenants and homeowners at Glasgow Sheriff Court. They are based at the Eviction and Mortgage Repossession Courts and nearby helpdesks. If you are seeking assistance, be at the court well before your case is scheduled to start. The main numbers, and more information on programmes, are below.

• Housing and General Court Department – Clients get free advice, legal support and representation. Services address housing, social welfare, debt advice, evictions or other homelessness problems. Fleming House, Glasgow, call 0141 353 3354.
• The Preventing Homelessness Project is available at the Glasgow Sheriff Court. Lawyers and solicitors help with solving mortgage repossession cases, provide free eviction prevention and general homelessness services. Call 0141 353 3354.
• Housing rights in Greenock, Port Glasgow and Inverclyde are only for residents of the city. To learn more, contact Greenock / Inverclyde, LSA`s Housing Rights Project, 9 Sir Michael Street, Greenock, PA15 1PQ, Telephone number is 01475 725 665
• North Glasgow Advice Centre also works with Legal Services Agency. They support North East and also the Royston area of Glasgow. The homeless can get help as well as people with other rent or housing problems. Advisers can defend clients for landlord and tenant eviction, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Glasgow Central CAB, phone 0141 552 5556.
• Edinburgh and Lothians, 3rd Floor, Princes House, 5 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RG, DX ED231-1, telephone 0131 228 9993.

Most of the aid is provided in partnership with the Scottish Government as well as the Glasgow Advice Service. So funding and resources are limited, and referrals may also be available to the appropriate advice agency or charity. The main office of Legal Services Agency is as follows. Call them for information on various housing assistance Fleming House, 134 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6ST, phone: 0141 353 3354.