THE rise in families losing their homes as the recession bites has led Halton Citizens Advice Bureau to appoint a specialist housing law solicitor.
Chintu Patel has six years experience dealing with possession proceedings, homelessness, injunctions and disrepair.
Last year, Halton CAB helped more than 6,000 residents with their legal problems.
Some 960 needed housing law advice.
Jo Jones, Halton CAB’s service manager, said: “In the current economic climate, we are seeing more and more people who are threatened with possession procedings or ar living in privately rented properties that their landlords are not properly maintaining.
“Chintu’s arrival means that we will not only be able to help these people, but for the first time, we will also be able to advise people who are subject to anti-social behavioural injunctions.”
Chintu Patel, CAB housing solicitor, said: “This is a really exciting new challenge for me.
“I am really looking forward to working with my new colleagues at the CAB and also with colleagues from other local partner agencies.
“I would urge anyone who has a housing law problem to contact the CAB.”
The work is funded by legal aid so potential clients will need to be means tested and before any case is taken on the CAB will make an assessment of the merits of the case.
Chintu can advise on rent or mortgage arrears, security of tenure, possession proceedings, private disrepair, committals or being in contempt of a court order, homelessness and re-housing and anti-social behaviour injunctions.
Anyone needing housing advice can contact Halton CAB on 0151 257 2449 or e-mail advice@haltoncab.org.uk

Chintu Patel, Halton CAB’s new housing solicitor