Information for Residents
Help for Private Tenants
Two Southwark Council services can help private tenants like us with most problems that we might encounter with our landlords:
- The Tenancy Relations Service (TRS) deals with unlawful eviction, harassment, rent book offences and other criminal offences.
21-23 Bournemouth Road
Peckham, SE15 4U
020 7525 4194J - The Housing Advice Service (HAS) deals with civil matters, including the fairness of tenancy agreements, rent arrears and repairs.
Officers from these services, with Cllr Lorraine Zuleta, recently met the TNRA committee to explain their work and advise us when tenants should contact them. In summary, for some common problems that we might have:
Rent Arrears
If you receive a letter from Nelson Bakewell or Trinity House's solicitors, claiming that you have rent arrears, contact the HAS (see below) immediately. They can help you to obtain a clear statement from Nelson Bakewell/Trinity House about when the arrears are alleged to have arisen.
Repairs
If your lease states that the landlord is responsible for repairs (this applies to all assured shorthold tenancies and some others) write to Nelson Bakewell and ask for repairs to be done. If nothing happens, write again two weeks later. If still nothing happens, write again after another two weeks. Keep copies of your letters and contact the HAS if there is still no action.
If you have an internal repairing lease (assured tenancies and protected tenancies holding over after 8-year leases), contact the HAS and explain what sort of lease you have and what your repairs problem is. They will advise about whether you or the landlord is responsible.
Southwark Council also publishes further details on landlord's obligations on their website.
Housing Benefit
Contact Cllr Zuleta, who oversees this council department, if you have any problems with payment of housing benefit.