Legal Aid Housing Solicitors UK: Full Directory of 363 Approved Providers 2026

What Housing Cases Qualify for Legal Aid?

Housing legal aid covers a defined set of circumstances under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). The cases in scope are those where a person faces losing their home or faces a serious risk to health from housing conditions.

Cases that currently qualify for housing legal aid include: mortgage repossession proceedings where a hearing date has been set; unlawful eviction by a landlord; cases involving illegal harassment by a landlord; housing injunctions; serious disrepair cases where conditions pose a serious risk to the health or safety of the occupant; homelessness appeals to county court under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996; and cases involving the removal of an unlawful occupier. Anti-social behaviour injunctions where the defendant faces losing their home may also be covered.

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) is a separate scheme providing early legal advice to homeowners and tenants at risk of possession proceedings, before a court hearing is listed. There are 85 approved HLPAS offices on the June 2026 LAA directory, which is a separate list from the standard housing legal aid providers listed on this page.

Cases that do not generally qualify include: most private tenancy disputes not involving imminent eviction; deposit disputes; neighbour disputes; general housing disrepair without a serious health risk; planning matters; and leasehold disputes. Many of these can be dealt with through housing tribunals which do not require legal representation.

Where Are Legal Aid Housing Solicitors Based?

Of the 363 approved housing legal aid offices, 129 are in London - the highest concentration of any category in the LAA directory relative to total offices. Barking has 9 offices, reflecting the presence of several large social welfare law firms in east London. Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham each have 6 offices.

Housing legal aid provision outside major cities is limited. The south of England outside London has relatively few approved providers compared to need. The IFS June 2026 research identified housing as one of the categories where legal aid deserts are most acute, with some local authority areas having no active housing legal aid provider despite significant housing stress.

How to Access Legal Aid for Housing Problems

If you are facing possession proceedings, the most urgent step is to contact a housing legal aid solicitor as quickly as possible. If a court hearing date has already been set, many providers can arrange emergency representation. Duty solicitor schemes operate at some county courts and can provide on-the-day advice at possession hearings.

If you have not yet received a court hearing date but are concerned about repossession or eviction, the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) can provide early advice before proceedings reach court. Contact the FALA service at find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk and select housing as the category to find HLPAS-approved providers near you.

Shelter, Citizens Advice, and local law centres are also important first points of contact for housing problems. They can provide initial advice on your situation and refer you to approved legal aid providers with current capacity. Many law centres provide free advice beyond what legal aid covers.

Full Directory: 363 Approved Legal Aid Housing Providers

The following directory lists all 363 solicitor offices on the Legal Aid Agency approved list for housing work in England and Wales, as at the June 2026 update. All 363 providers are shown. Type a city name, postcode or firm name in the filter to search the list.

Search all 363 providers by name, city or postcode:

All 363 approved providers listed. Source: LAA, June 2026.

What housing problems qualify for legal aid?

Legal aid for housing covers cases where someone is at serious risk of losing their home or faces a serious health risk from housing conditions. This includes mortgage repossession proceedings once a court hearing is listed, unlawful eviction by a landlord, illegal harassment by a landlord, serious disrepair posing a risk to health or safety, homelessness appeals to county court under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996, and housing injunctions. The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) covers early advice before court proceedings begin. Most tenancy disputes, deposit disputes, neighbour disputes, and disrepair without a serious health risk do not qualify for legal aid.

Can I get legal aid for housing if I am a tenant?

Yes, tenants can qualify for housing legal aid. Qualifying cases for tenants include unlawful eviction, where a landlord has evicted you without following proper legal process; illegal harassment by a landlord; serious disrepair in your rented home that poses a risk to your health or safety; and homelessness appeals. If your landlord has issued a section 21 notice or section 8 notice, legal aid may be available for the possession proceedings once a court hearing is listed. The means test applies, so your income and capital must be below the LAA thresholds. Contact an approved housing legal aid solicitor from the directory below to discuss your specific situation.

Is there legal aid for mortgage repossession?

Yes. Legal aid is available for mortgage repossession proceedings under the housing category. Once a court hearing date has been set for possession proceedings, you can apply for legal aid representation. The means test applies. The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) provides an additional route to early legal advice before proceedings reach court, and is designed specifically to prevent repossession by providing early intervention. If you have received a default notice or letter from your lender threatening proceedings, contact a housing legal aid solicitor or HLPAS provider promptly. Early advice significantly improves outcomes in repossession cases.

What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS)?

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) is a Legal Aid Agency scheme that provides early legal advice and assistance to people at risk of losing their home from possession proceedings, before a court hearing is listed. HLPAS is available to both homeowners facing mortgage repossession and tenants facing eviction. There are 85 approved HLPAS offices on the June 2026 LAA directory, separate from the 363 standard housing legal aid offices listed on this page. HLPAS advice is means-tested. To find an HLPAS provider, use the FALA search tool at find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk and select Housing Loss Prevention Advice as the category.

Is legal aid available for housing disrepair?

Legal aid for housing disrepair is available in limited circumstances. The disrepair must pose a serious risk to the health or safety of the occupant or their household. Minor disrepair, cosmetic issues, or inconveniences that do not carry a health risk are not covered. For qualifying serious disrepair cases, legal aid can fund a solicitor to pursue a claim against the landlord for repairs and potentially damages. If your home has severe damp, structural problems, dangerous electrical or gas installations, or other conditions posing a genuine health risk, contact a housing legal aid solicitor to assess whether your case qualifies. Private solicitors may also take disrepair cases on a no-win-no-fee basis where legal aid is not available.