Welsh council criticises “opportunistic” claimant law firms and appoints defence law firm to handle disrepair cases

Flintshire County Council has warned residents against “opportunistic” disrepair claim solicitors who, it claims, are “imposing themselves” on its tenants with the promise of compensation and a ‘No Win, No Fee’ guarantee.

The issue is to be raised at a meeting of the council’s Community and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week.

A disrepair update report written by the council’s Chief Officer (Housing and Communities) says: “The council have a very good track record with successfully defending disrepair claims, however we find often our tenants are encouraged to pursue a claim which has no merit, compensation being promised and that all repairs will be actioned immediately. This is not the case, and it may result in our tenants becoming liable for costs that have not been conveyed by their appointed ‘No Win, No Fee’ solicitor.”

It claims that the council has had many ‘no win, no fee’ legal companies “attempt to access our tenants homes, advising our tenants that they have been sent by the council to inspect their homes for repairs and to organise the works".

The report adds: “Once they have gained access, they have advised the tenant to commence with a claim against the council.”

Flintshire revealed that it has contacted Trading Standards and its appointed Legal teams over a recent case where a company “accessed tenant’s homes without proper consent”.

The report cites an example of a recent claim in which the claimant (tenant) lost their claim due to not complying with their tenancy conditions correctly. It notes: “The costs of the social landlord’s legal defence were over £20,000, and these were sent directly to their tenant as a rechargeable cost”. 

The council revealed it has appointed an external legal defence company, Hugh James Solicitors, to assist in managing any claims received.

Flintshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson