Disrepair Guidance

Disrepair guidance
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Be aware
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Disrepair guidance

Have you been approached by people working for claims handlers actively looking for cases of disrepair and advising you to sue your local council?
On behalf of the Council, Bolton at Home has set up a Disrepair Unit, employing specialist staff to defend the Council against these claims.

Did you know?

All costs associated with the Council going to court to defend these claims comes out of your housing repairs budget, it is not covered by any insurance, and it will directly reduce the money available to spend on repairs to Council homes.

Recently the Council has successfully defended claims in court and:

• Some tenants have been ordered to pay the Council's legal costs amounting to hundreds of pounds.
• Others have been left with large debts to pay - often more than £500 for no win no fee claims even when they have been told it would probably cost them nothing! This is to pay for the credit agreement that they have been advised to sign.

Be aware

If you are approached by claims handlers or solicitors canvassing for business at home, in the street or in the town centre:

Warning - You may not be warned against hidden costs and expenses that you will have to pay.

Security at home - make sure you ask to see the caller's identification as some tenants have complained they thought they were being visited by Council or Bolton at Home employees. Council and Bolton at Home employees always carry their identification cards - ask to see them!

Bolton Council advises you to:

1) Speak to an officer of Bolton at Home first
2) Speak to your Ward Councillor

OR

3) Seek alternative advice before you sign anything from an independent source such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau or a solicitor.

Contact us:

Disrepair Unit
2nd Floor
Adelaide House
Adelaide Street
Bolton
BL3 3NY

Tel: 01204 335839
Fax: 01204 657907

Email: dhousing@bolton.gov.uk

Other useful contacts:

Citizens' Advice Bureau
26-28 Mawdsley Street
Bolton
BL1 1LF
0870 1264038

Useful links:

Neighbourhood Housing office contact list