Success stories with BJK-CONSULTANCY
Discover how BJK-CONSULTANCY has provided expert guidance and delivered positive outcomes for our clients in housing and welfare benefit matters. Our 25+ years of experience speak for themselves.
Evicting squatters from a client's property
Our client, residing in Spain, was alerted by a neighbour to squatters in their UK property. Upon their contact, BJK-CONSULTANCY swiftly engaged solicitors and initiated court proceedings. Despite the lengthy legal process and challenges, which took over 12 months, we managed the entire communication with the solicitors. This ensured our client was kept fully informed without the need for regular trips to the UK for court appearances, ultimately resulting in the successful removal of the squatters.
DISPUTING RENT ARREARS
Mr A, had been renting a one bedroom flat since 2016, with a contractual rent of £1,200.00 per month. in 2018, his landlord informed him that the rent would be increased from £1,200.00 per month to £1,350.00 per month from 1st April 2018. Mr A, did not agree to the rent increase. However, his landlord served him with a section 13 notice (rent increase notice) Mr A, declined to pay the new rent and his landlord subsequently issued court proceedings February 2019 for rent arrears pursuant to section 8, Housing Act 1988. Mr A, contacted BJK-Consultancy for assistance with this matter. We clarified the issue and identified the relevant grounds for his defence. Solicitors were instructed and the case eventually came before the county court. The landlord's possession application was dismissed by the court due to the grounds prepared for his defence. Mr A's defence relied on the fact that his tenancy agreement, had a clause stipulating that no section 13 procedure could be used for rent increase and that the landlord had to rely on the relevant rent increase clause stipulated in the tenancy agreement. The case was dismissed and Mr A, was awarded all his legal costs.
Successful PIP claim appeal
We assisted a client whose Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim was stopped after they failed to notify the benefit agency of a protracted period spent outside the UK. Facing immediate financial hardship, our client sought our urgent help. BJK-CONSULTANCY diligently pursued the case to the Tribunal and successfully argued that her entitlement to be in Spain was on medical grounds, leading to the reinstatement of her benefits.
JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE (JSA) OVERPAYMENT
Mr X, was in receipt of JSA for about four to five years, following the loss of his employment. He eventually returned to full time employment. In 2013, Mr X, started receiving letters from the DWP, advising him of an overpayment of Income Support (IS) amounting to about £6,000.00. Mr X, had never claimed Income Support and requested documentary evidence from the DWP together with a detailed explanation. The DWP, never provided the requested information and simply continued to send demands for the repayment of the £6,000.00. Unfortunately, Mr X became ill again due to Covid around 2019 and again lost his employment. The system had changed and Mr X, was in receipt of Universal Credit. By this time, Mr X, had received numerous letters from the DWP demanding payment and when asked for the relevant evidence, Mr X was repeatedly sent from one department to another. In 2019, the DWP started making deductions from Mr X, UC award, this continued until he cancelled his UC claim in 2022/23, by this time the DWP had recovered the whole of the £6,000.00 from his UC award. Mr X, contacted BJK-Consultancy in 2024 and engaged our services. We issued proceedings with the Tribunal and the matter was heard in 2024. The DWP, did not attend the Tribunal hearing but wrote to the Tribunal apologising for the absence and advised the Tribunal, that they had no evidence to support the overpayment of £6,000.00 and would refund this money within 14 days.
INCOME SUPPORT (IS) OVERPAYMENT
Ms Y, is a single parent and cared for her three children, two of whom had disabilities and the third child was a minor.
Ms Y, was the named carer for both of her disabled children and recognised as the guardian by the DWP.
In 2020, the DWP carried out a routine inspection of Ms Y, financial affairs and requested copies of all her bank statements for the past six years. Ms Y, complied with the DWP's request and was subsequently notified of an overpayment of £19,000.00
The DWP stated that because Ms Y, had access to all of her children's bank accounts, the DWP had determined that these funds were hers and consequently determined that she had an overpayment of £19,000.00 and then proceeded to cancel all of her benefit claims.
Ms Y, was extremely distraught and in serious financial problems. Ms Y, contacted BJK-Consultancy for assistance with this matter.
We determined, that Ms Y, was acting as a carer for her children due to their inability to manage their own financial affairs resulting from their disabilities. According to the law, the DWP, should have separated Ms Y, income from that of her children's. Ms Y, acting as a carer was perfectly entitled to manage her children's finances as a result of their disabilities.
We appealed to the Tribunal and provide all relevant evidence along with appropriate legal arguments, we were able to prove that all the funds in her children's bank accounts had been used for their sole benefit. The matter was heard by the Tribunal in 2024 and the DWP's case was dismissed by the Tribunal and Ms Y, was awarded £18,720.00 in arrears of benefits from 2020 to 2024.
Our unique and client-focused approach
With our extensive experience in housing and welfare benefit cases, we adopt a unique approach tailored to each client. We guide them through every step of the process at their own pace, especially considering their individual needs, including working with mature clients or those with complex medical issues. Our commitment is to provide personalised support and clear communication throughout the resolution of their challenges.
The BJK-CONSULTANCY advantage
BJK-CONSULTANCY acts as your one-stop shop. After taking detailed instructions, we meticulously source the most appropriate solicitors and barristers to represent you in court. Our deep understanding of Housing Law and Welfare Benefit Law ensures you deal with only one point of contact, eliminating the frustration of being passed between different professionals. We also provide realistic expectations, leveraging our many years of experience to offer clear, informed guidance every step of the way.