We help people to live safely in their homes. 

We specialise in cases in cases involving homelessness, possession, and eviction.

We provide support to other agencies even when we cannot take on the case. That support may be telephone advice to assist the referral agency in resolving the problem, or help in finding other sources of advice from groups such as the Southwark Housing Lawyers Group, the Lewisham Housing Lawyers Group or the Housing and Immigration Group.

Eviction Help and Housing Possession Advice in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham

Are you, or someone you are supporting, facing eviction? If your landlord has started court proceedings to evict you from your home, we can provide free advice and guidance. Our eviction support service is specifically designed for people who have received court papers for housing possession proceedings.

You can contact us directly if:

  • You are an individual at risk of eviction in Southwark, Lambeth, or Lewisham, or

  • You are helping someone else who is being taken to court by their landlord, such as a family member, friend, carer, or support worke

If you are completing a form or contacting us on behalf of another person, please ensure you use the tenant’s details (the person facing eviction) so we can give the correct advice and assistance.

Many people on low incomes or receiving benefits may qualify for Legal Aid for housing possession cases, which can help cover the cost of legal advice and representation.

How to Get Eviction Support

  • Call our dedicated possession enquiry line on 0203 084 5546

  • Thursdays, 10am – 12pm and Fridays, 10am – 12pm

  • Or, complete our online eviction help form at any time.

When you call or complete the form, please have the court eviction papers available. This will allow our housing advisers to understand your case and provide accurate, timely support.

Our team provides free and confidential housing possession advice to stop or delay eviction where possible and ensure that you understand your legal rights and options.

Second Tier Housing Advice Service – Southwark

We provide one-off telephone advice about housing issues that are affecting your clients.

Our Second Tier Advice Service provides one-off specialist telephone advice on housing law and housing problems that are affecting your clients. This service is designed specifically for professional referrers, council workers, charities, voluntary sector organisations, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations working in or connected to the London Borough of Southwark.

Note that this service is available only to voluntary sector organisations and professional referrers.  Members of the public should contact our Eviction Helpline above if they are facing eviction or housing possession proceedings. 

What we can advise on:

Our experienced housing solicitors and advisers can provide second tier support on a wide range of housing issues, including:

  • Possession proceedings and evictions
  • Allocations
  • Illegal eviction
  • Homelessness
  • Accommodation issues surrounding homelessness
  • Disrepair

How to Access the Service

Please email us at housingsecondtier@southwarklawcentre.org.uk or complete our referral form below

Please complete a second tier advice referral form by clicking this link.

This service helps frontline workers and advisers get quick, reliable legal guidance on housing law so that they can better support individuals at risk of eviction, homelessness, or unsafe housing conditions.

Examples of cases we may take on

  • Possession cases including applications to suspend a Warrant
  • Unfavourable decisions made against a homeless applicant, including reviews and appeals
  • Landlord harassment, and unlawful evictions
  • Clients who are without any or any adequate accommodation and do not have access to mainstream housing for example because of their immigration status

Cases that we cannot deal with

  • Landlords – We do not advise Landlords.
  • Right to Buy
  • Leaseholders
  • Mortgage possession cases
  • Most neighbour disputes: but we may act for clients who need to be rehoused because of harassment

Southwark Law Centre Housing Projects

Migrant Housing project.

Trust for London provides funding to help us take cases for vulnerable migrants including people with No Recourse to Public Funds

Private Renters Project

We have funding from Impact on Urban Health to provide legal advice for private tenants with issues such as illegal eviction and disrepair.

Southwark Homeless Forum

We work in partnership with Southwark council to facilitate meetings of agencies working to prevent homelessness

Southwark Private Renters Support

Southwark Private Renters Support is a service designed to help people who are renting privately in the borough.  It was  set up by Citizens Advice Southwark in partnership with Southwark Law Centre.

If you are renting privately in Southwark and want to learn more about the support on offer, or join the Private Renters Support Southwark network of private renters, please visit https://southwarkprivaterenters.org.uk/

Our Organisation

We are a registered charity and are governed by a trustee board of local residents.

To view our Privacy Policy click here.

To view our Annual Review (2024-2025) click here

Company registration number: 1418763 • Charity registration number: 277927
IAA reference is N201000009