Who this service is for
It suits tenants who have received a possession notice or court papers, and landlords who need to recover a property or respond to a claim. It also helps anyone facing a tribunal application, a deposit claim or a dispute that has moved beyond letters.
If your problem can be solved with a letter or a free adviser, we will tell you that first. Shelter, Citizens Advice and your council may be the better first step, and legal aid may be available for tenants at risk of losing their home.
When a housing solicitor is worth contacting
You should think about a solicitor when court papers have arrived, when a possession hearing has been listed, or when the other side already has legal representation. A solicitor can check whether a Form 3A notice is valid, draft a defence, advise on a counterclaim and represent you at a hearing. These are things that an advice website or support service cannot do.
Landlords often need one before serving notice on a contested ground, before issuing a possession claim, or when a tenant has raised a defence. Getting a review at the start usually costs less than having a defective claim struck out and starting again.
Legal aid, fixed fees and other ways to pay
Legal aid may be available to tenants facing possession proceedings or homelessness, usually subject to a means test. The GOV.UK legal aid checker and the Civil Legal Advice service can tell you more, and a duty adviser may be able to help you on the day of a possession hearing.
If you do not qualify, ask firms about fixed fees for a single stage, such as a notice review or a hearing. Solicitors must give you clear information about costs, so ask for an estimate in writing and find out what is and is not included.
What we prepare before the introduction
A solicitor can assess a matter faster when the facts are in order. We put together a one-page timeline with the documents that matter, so your first conversation is spent on your options rather than on finding paperwork.
- Who the parties are and the type of tenancy
- Key dates, including any notice expiry or court deadline
- Copies of the notice, agreement and main correspondence
- What outcome you are hoping for
How the introduction works
You send an inquiry and verify your email. We read it, ask for anything missing, and explain whether an introduction is the right step. Nothing is passed on until you have agreed in writing to who will receive your details.
The solicitor then contacts you directly and gives you their own terms and costs. Any advice and any retainer is between you and the solicitor. You are free to decline and to choose a different firm at any point.
What we do not refer
We do not refer housing disrepair compensation claims. Referring those claims is regulated claims management activity under the Financial Conduct Authority, and we do not carry it on. If your home has disrepair, we can help you report it to your landlord and your council, and point you to Shelter or Citizens Advice for advice on claims.
How to check a solicitor yourself
Every solicitor in England and Wales should appear on the Solicitors Regulation Authority register. Use the SRA’s Find a Solicitor service to check the firm before you sign anything, and ask for a written estimate of costs. Firms must tell you about any financial arrangement connected with your introduction.
Prepare for a useful first conversation
Separate the outcome you want from the questions you need answered. For example, a tenant with a possession notice may need to know which deadline comes next, whether there is a defence and what representation would cost. Give the solicitor the complete notice and any court papers; a cropped screenshot can hide an important attachment or date.
Ask who will handle the matter, which work the quoted fee covers and whether further charges need your approval. An introduction does not mean a firm has accepted your case. If losing your home is a risk, the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service offers free early advice and court support regardless of financial circumstances. Do not wait for our reply before approaching that service.
Official guidance for this service
Use these sources to check the rules and procedures relevant to your situation. Our preparation service is independent of the organisations linked below.
Questions about this service
What details do you need before an introduction?
Your name, the property address, the type of tenancy, what has happened and any deadline. We also ask for copies of the notice or court papers, and we confirm with you who will see them before we send anything. Put the next deadline at the start of your message and distinguish confirmed dates from estimates. We organise that information so the receiving firm can assess the request; an introduction does not itself mean the firm has accepted instructions.
Do you pick the solicitor for me?
We suggest where to start based on your matter and location, but the choice is always yours. You can check any firm on the Solicitors Regulation Authority register and compare it with others. Ask a prospective firm about relevant housing experience, availability, costs and who will handle the work. Check those details before agreeing a retainer, particularly where your matter involves a hearing or an application deadline.
Will the solicitor take my case?
Not necessarily. Each firm decides for itself, depending on its capacity, the type of matter and any conflict of interest. If one firm cannot help, you can approach another. Provide a short factual summary and the next deadline when you approach a firm. Do not assume a submitted inquiry or introduction pauses proceedings, and keep seeking suitable help if the first firm cannot take instructions in time.
How fast can this happen if I have a hearing soon?
Tell us the hearing date in your first message. If it is close, also contact Shelter or Citizens Advice straight away, and ask about the duty adviser at court, rather than waiting for us. Keep the claim number, court name and complete hearing notice ready. Ask specifically about free possession advice if you are at risk of losing your home, and continue following court instructions while looking for representation.
Is the introduction free?
We tell you before you agree whether any charge applies to you. The solicitor’s own fees are set by the solicitor, who must give you clear cost information. Ask what the proposed charge covers and whether there are separate consultation, document or representation costs. You should be able to consider that information before deciding; sending an inquiry does not require you to accept a solicitor’s quotation.
Do I have to use the solicitor you introduce?
No. An introduction is only an option. You can say no, or choose any other SRA-regulated firm. Compare the proposed firm’s experience, availability and written terms before making your decision. If you decide not to proceed, tell the firm directly and check whether any work has already been expressly agreed. Our introduction does not authorise a retainer on your behalf.
Can you help with legal aid?
We can point you to the GOV.UK legal aid checker. A legal aid provider decides whether you qualify. Have the nature of the housing problem and any notice or court dates ready when contacting a provider. Funding rules depend on the service and circumstances; free possession advice may be available through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service, separately from the usual financial assessment for other legal aid.
