Housing advice service
The housing advice service, accredited by the
Legal Services Commission, offers a free, confidential and
independent service to people who live in private sector
accommodation in Tower Hamlets.
As well as a team of housing advice officers,
the service also has a dedicated Somali advice officer for Somali
residents of Tower Hamlets and a money advice officer who can offer
guidance and support, to all residents, for debt management
issues.
Our main role is to prevent homelessness. The earlier you
contact us, the more likely it is we can prevent, or solve, your
homelessness issue. Please do not wait until you are actually
homeless before contacting us.
The housing advice service can see you if you are a:
- tenant of a private landlord
- tenant of a housing association (also known as a
registered social landlord)
- homeowner (but not council leaseholder)
If you are a council tenant with a housing
problem that needs attention from the council in its capacity as a
landlord, you should contact your neighbourhood housing
office, email housing.advice@towerhamlets.gov.uk or
the relevant service area of the council.
If your housing problem is of a more serious nature – such as
being threatened with homelessness - we can give advice to
all residents about possible alternative housing
options that might be available to them. In some circumstances, we
can refer you to schemes that help you with paying rent deposits or
rent in advance.
Once you have contacted the housing advice service you will be
seen by a Legal Services Commission accredited housing advice
officer who will address your issues and advise you on your rights
and methods of resolution. It is helpful if you can bring with
you any relevant documents or notes relating to your issue(s).
Remember:
It is a criminal offence for a landlord or an
agent to unlawfully evict a residential occupier and offenders can
face substantial fines or even imprisonment. A residential occupier
can only be evicted by the County Court Bailiff enforcing a
possession order.
Failure to follow the legal procedure is a
criminal offence, and the local authority can prosecute.
How we can help
The following are examples of frequently
asked questions received by the housing advice service. We
cannot provide answers to the questions here, as they often depend
on your individual circumstances, but we can resolve all of these
issues and many more.
- My landlord has asked me to leave
- My landlord lets himself into my property without my
permission
- My landlord has threatened to throw me out
- My landlord is refusing to do repairs
- My home has gas appliances which may be dangerous
- I cannot get Housing Benefit or other benefits
- Housing Benefit does not pay the full rent
- I have a problem paying the rent or mortgage, or service
charges
- My landlord will not give me my deposit back
- I need help to find somewhere to live
- I don’t have the money for a rent deposit
- I have debts that might make me lose my home
Further information
How to contact us
Albert Jacob House
62 Roman Road
Bethnal Green
London
E2 0PG
Tel: 020 7364 3558
Fax: 020 7364 3559
Email:housing.advice@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm
Access: Wheelchair access.
Hearing loop in reception
Transport: Nearest tube
station: Bethnal Green
Nearest bus routes:
- 8, D6 (Roman Road)
- 309 (Globe Road)
- 106, 254 (Cambridge Heath Road)
You can also make a quick
online request for an appointment, and we will be in touch with
you to confirm your appointment time.