Be cautious of 'No Win, No Fee' disrepair claims

If you're experiencing disrepair in your home and feel our repairs service hasn’t responded in a reasonable time, please use our complaints process before considering legal action. 

We’re committed to providing safe, high-quality homes. We know our repairs service doesn’t always meet expectations, and improving it is a top priority.  

What to do if repairs aren't being done

Start with our complaints process. We are legally required to respond within set timeframes and may offer compensation where appropriate. 

The easiest way to complain is by using our online form. 

You can also complain:

  • by phone on 01273 291229
  • in writing to Complaints Team, Brighton & Hove City Council, Room 146, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove BN3 2LS. 

If we have been unable to satisfactorily resolve your complaint, you can also contact the Housing Ombudsman, who can order compensation if needed.

We understand legal action is a last resort. But it’s costly and reduces our ability to invest in repairs. These firms will often falsely claim to be conducting surveys on behalf of the council itself or representing a charity. ‘No win, no fee’ firms often:

  • Take a large percentage of any compensation awarded
  • Lock you into contracts with hidden costs if you withdraw
  • Encourage exaggerated claims, which can backfire in court. In a recent case against York City Council, the resident was unsuccessful and was ordered to pay court costs of over £10,000 

Case studies

The following are real examples from disrepairs cases handled by Brighton & Hove City Council. This information has been provided by tenants and from our own records and details that many tenants expectations have not been met by ‘No win, no fee’ firms. 

This also shows the huge costs incurred by the council, money which could otherwise be spent on improving our repairs service for all tenants.

Property A

A tenant was estimated to be due £2,000 compensation when they signed up with a ‘No win, no fee’ firm. When they became dissatisfied with the solicitors’ service, they cancelled. One evening, representatives of the solicitors knocked the tenant's door demanding a signature to re-instruct the firm otherwise the tenant would be liable for £7,000 costs already incurred.

The council eventually settled this claim awarding £1,500 damages to the tenant which was all deducted from rent arrears.
£10,000 costs were paid to the tenant’s solicitors against an initial bill they submitted for £20,677 and a further £1,601 was paid by the council for legal advice in settling costs.

In all, £13,101 was spent by Brighton & Hove City on this legal process and awards of damages of costs without the tenant receiving a penny.

Property B

A tenant was estimated to be due £800 when they instructed a ‘No win, no fee’ solicitor. Six months after the settlement, the tenant had still not received any of the damages awarded from the solicitor.

The council settled this claim awarding £400 damages to the tenant which was paid to the solicitor as per the terms of the settlement.

£4,000 costs were paid to the tenant’s solicitors against the bill they submitted for £7,462 and a further £519 was paid by the council for legal advice in settling costs.

The tenant eventually received a cheque for £220 from the solicitors, the overall cost to Brighton & Hove City Council for this process was £12,381, and from receiving the initial letter of claim to final completion of relatively straightforward repairs, the process took over 14 months.