Council tenants are being reminded to report repairs to their landlord as a “no win, no fee” legal firm is ordered to pay court costs of £9,414.02 to the Council, following a failed legal case.
This case was brought by a ‘no win, no fee’ solicitor on behalf of a tenant who claimed their home had mould, damp and plaster defects. It was heard in York County Court and was dismissed by the District Judge who ordered the unsuccessful tenant to pay costs of £9,414.02.
During the trial on 21 May, the Judge described the case submitted by the solicitor as “borderline negligent”. The Council therefore made an application for costs to be paid by the solicitors themselves, rather than the tenant.
The solicitors were given 14 days in which to put forward reasons why they should not have to pay the costs themselves, which they did not dispute, and are therefore liable for these costs.
This follows other unsuccessful ‘no win, no fee’ cases which tenants and their solicitors have brought against the Council.
Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities said:
We have an ongoing campaign advising tenants to tell us about any concerns with repairs so they can be put right. This is the third failed housing disrepair claim made by ‘no win, no fee’ solicitors resulting in tenants being ordered to pay many £1,000s in costs.
“Our repairs service, as evidenced in our recent Annual Housing Report, is steadily improving. We work hard to get repairs done quickly and efficiently and 82% of them are completed on a first visit, alongside our ongoing repairs, retrofit and modernisations programmes.
“We always invite tenants to talk to officers about any repairs needed, or about any delay or dissatisfaction with them so we can take prompt and effective action. These claims against the Council divert time and money from tenants’ homes.”
Any council tenant whose home needs a repair or has a problem with a repair, please call the Council first on 01904 551550 (option 4, option 1). Our team will ensure you get the right support.
Anyone unhappy about how we have responded to a request for a repair, or how we have carried out one, should please tell us first.
All concerns will be assessed and handled impartially. Find more information at Raise a comment, compliment, complaint or concern page or email Complaints, Feedback and Compliance Team.
Any tenant approached by people touting for this work is urged to:
- talk to your Housing Management Officer (HMO)
- call the police if you feel scared or threatened
- always ask to see identification (ID) and check it
- call Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 if these workers at the doorstep claim to be from the Council.