Virtual Appointment

Virtual Appointment

Watson Woodhouse Solicitors solving Pandemic related Housing issues for Hartlepool residents

Residents of Hartlepool now have access to a new Housing legal advice service, thanks to Watson Woodhouse Solicitors who have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency. The contract ensures low income and vulnerable households now have access to legal aid funding for issues including housing/tenancy enquiries, debt management, mortgages arrears, harassment, repossession, homelessness and anti-social behaviour.

Victoria Molloy, Head of the Housing Department at Watson Woodhouse believes that this contract will be “life changing” for the people of Hartlepool: “The coronavirus pandemic has sadly brought with it a whole range of incredible financial and emotional circumstances for a lot of families across our region, particularly when it comes to housing related issues .  Many people have lost jobs, or been furloughed; effectively  losing 20 percent of their income, to most families this would be disastrous, but to those on low incomes it can quickly devastate families, pushing them further into debt and missed payments, its incredibly stressful for everyone concerned. As the governments’ deadline for a hold on evictions looms ever closer, this contract is needed more than ever.  We want to help those people in a way in which we know best, offering them expert legal advice speedily, without cost, from the comfort of their own home, offering a vital helpline to those people in their greatest hour of need.”

Sarah Kane, CEO of Watson Woodhouse adds” We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of enquiries to our Housing and Civil Litigation Departments under the Pandemic. This contract is vital for the residents of Hartlepool, as prior to us winning this, their was no legal aid provision for housing related matters in the area. Victoria Molloy and her team have and will continue to work hard, to seek justice and mediation, and positive results for all Teesside families, but now we can assist Hartlepool Residents to seek positive outcomes around Housing issues. At Watson Woodhouse we pride ourselves on our company ethos that “Everyone should have the right to access legal advice and not just those who can afford it”.  We’ve spent the last 30 years positioning ourselves as the “Champion of the Community”; changing peoples lives, and integrity and trust is at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about everyone’s right to have a decent home, good living standards and prospects, and to fight for justice for local people. It’s a significant win for us and the residents of Hartlepool”

To help with accessibility, and social distancing appointments are being delivered by video meaning the public can attend virtually, from the comfort of their own home, via Teams, WhatsApp or Zoom video conferencing apps. For residents who are unable to access this technology themselves, Watson Woodhouse have partnered with support organisations in Hartlepool who will allow clients to access the technology for free at their venues.

If you are, or know a resident of Hartlepool who needs to talk confidentially with a legal specialist about Housing Law concerns you can book a FREE VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT by calling 07876 797578 or completing the Contact Form below, and one of our specialist solicitors will call you back with a date, and time, and explain how to access your appointment.