Cambridge House Safer Renting project has been recognised at the London Homelessness Awards for protecting renters from homelessness, recognising its outstanding work supporting some of London’s most vulnerable private tenants.
Safer Renting provides specialist advice, advocacy and legal casework for people living in the shadow private rented sector who are at risk of homelessness because of rogue and criminal landlords. Working alongside local authorities, solicitors and community organisations, the project helps renters challenge illegal evictions, improve unsafe housing conditions and secure safer, more stable homes.
We asked Nicholina Blewushie, a Renters Rights Caseworker, to tell us about a typical day.
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A Day in the Life of a Tenancy Rights Caseworker
Our role is to support renters to understand and enforce their housing rights which combines client interviews, legal research, advocacy, negotiation, record-keeping and referrals. No two days are the same, below is an example of my typical working day.
9:00–9:30 – Triage and Priorities
My day starts with checking new referrals, emails and updates on existing cases. I identify urgent matters, such as threatened illegal eviction, homelessness, disrepairs or a deadline to challenge a housing decision. I review my diary, prepare for appointments and agree priorities with the team.
9:30–11:00 – Client Appointments
I meet clients by telephone, in our office or home visits where necessary. One renter may have received notice from a landlord; another may be dealing with serious disrepair, rent arrears or an unprotected deposit. I listen carefully, establish the facts, check documents and explain the client’s rights and options in plain language. Together, we agree on a strategy and any evidence the client needs to provide.
11:00–12:00 – Research and Case Preparation
I check the relevant tenancy agreement, notices, correspondence and evidence against current housing law and guidance. I calculate deadlines and update my diary, accordingly, identify possible challenges and draft advice notes or letters. In situations that requires redress in court, I discuss with the renter and assess their legal aid legibility to guide me in making the referral to either a solicitor or a legal aid provider.
12:00–13:00 – Advocacy and Negotiation
I contact landlords, letting agents, local authority teams or other agencies with the client’s consent. I may challenge an invalid notice by submitting application to the tribunal to determine its validity, request urgent repairs, ask for enforcement action, negotiate an affordable arrears arrangement, every contact and outcome is recorded in individual case file and our data base.
13:00–14:00 – Lunch
14–16:30 – Preparing CPN bundle
Depending on the renter’s schedule, I may take witness statement in the afternoon, and other supporting evidence to prepare the civil penalty bundle for the referring local authority.
16:30–17:00 – Admin and planning work
I finish by filing evidence securely and setting reminders for deadlines. Before logging off, I review the next day’s appointments and make sure urgent work has been handed over if necessary.
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For more information about Cambridge House, go to Safer Renting – Cambridge House. More details about the London Homelessness Awards can be found at www.lhawards.org.uk