Housing information

Greater Manchester Law Centre provides free legal advice and representation for homeless people and people who are at risk of losing their home living in Greater Manchester.

We have contracts to provide advice under Legal Aid for both housing and public law cases (public law cases if you are bringing a legal challenge against a government or public authority).

We have a full-time housing solicitor, Kathy Cosgrove, who supervises the housing department.

Helpful resources for individuals and organisations that help homeless people, private renters and social housing tenants

To find out more about the information and helpful resources we provide, please click on the relevant icon.

Other Places to Find Housing Advice

BPP Legal Advice Clinic

The clinic offers advice on various housing issues including neighbour disputes, tenancy issues, service charges, rent deposits and disrepair.

Tel: 0161 235 7180

Email: blacm@my.bpp.com

Web: http://probono.bppuniversity.ac.uk

Address: BPP Legal Advice Clinic Manchester, St James Building, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FQ

Manchester Mind

Free and impartial advice on welfare benefits, debt and housing to people with mental health needs living in Manchester.

Phone: 0161 769 5732

Email: info@manchestermind.org

Web: https://www.manchestermind.org/our-services/advice/

Cheetham Hill Advice Centre

Web: cheethamadvice.org.uk

Tel: 0161 740 8999

• Help claiming Universal Credit, Tax Credits and benefits
• Help with Council Tax support
• Advice on debt
• Advice on housing and help claiming housing benefit
• Advice on the Government’s furlough scheme
• Advice if you have no recourse to public funds
• Advice on self employment income support scheme
• Advice on statutory sick pay

The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme

If you are a Defendant in a possession case Shelter Manchester are funded by the Legal Aid Agency to provide free advice and representation at court.

You do not need to be financially eligible for this advice – it is free to anyone facing possession regardless of income contact Shelter Manchester on 0344 515 1711 or manchesterdutyscheme@shelter.org.uk and they will refer you to the agency who will be at court on the day.

Street Support Network

Email: info@streetsupport.net

Web: www.streetsupport.net

For information about organisations offering assistance to people who are homeless or in need of support.

Find a Solicitor

If you need help to find a solicitor who may be able to help you with your problem the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor search tool can provide you with details for local solicitors. Please note that only the Manchester-based solicitors in this list can provide services paid for by Legal Aid, if this is essential for you: Alfred Newton Solicitors; Alison Law Solicitors; Citizens Advice Manchester; Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd; Grand & Machyle Solicitors; Jackson Lees Group Ltd; Peasegoods; Penninewest Citizens Advice Bureau; Shelter; Wtb Solicitors LLP.

Tel: 020 7320 5650 (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30 charged at local call rates)

Web: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC) is committed to campaigning for better rights for homeless people and tenants. We believe that housing should be for people not for profit, and that everyone has a right to a suitable and safe home.

In our ‘Campaigns’ and ‘News & Events’ sections (see the menu above), you will find a list of the many campaign issues we are working and writing on.

If you want to join us, offer your help or support us in our work please click on this link.

GMLC exists to fight together for free access to justice and are always keen to work with other organisations that can help us on this mission. If you think that GMLC can work with your organisation or you would like us to offer legal training to your organisation please get in touch: developmentworker@gmlaw.org.uk.

Recent GMLC News on Housing & Homelessness