We’ve had reports that people are door knocking at homes in our communities, asking about repairs and encouraging tenants to make a housing disrepair claim, with offers of ‘no win, no fee’ services.
What you need to know:
- These people and the companies they represent are not connected to Red Kite in any way
- They may offer to help you make a claim against us, but they often charge high fees or take a share of any compensation
- Some claims can also carry financial risks, meaning you could still end up paying legal costs if the case is unsuccessful.
Across the social housing sector, companies have used tactics like cold calling, door knocking, or pretending to be linked to landlords to build trust and encourage tenants to take legal action.
Always come to us first
If you have any issues with your home, the best thing to do is contact us directly first - see our Report a repair page to find out how. We will make sure your repair has been logged, work to fix the issue as soon as possible, and check to find out if anything isn’t resolved so we can then follow it up.
We want to work with you to keep your home safe, warm and in good condition and to resolve problems as quickly as possible.
Be aware of the risks
We’ve seen examples where following advice from claims companies has led to serious consequences.
In one case, a tenant was advised not to allow us access for repairs. This meant the issue went unresolved for longer than necessary and meant we were able to successfully defend a disrepair claim. As a result, the tenant was ordered to pay court costs of more than £19,000.
This highlights how important it is to fully understand what you’re signing up to before agreeing to any ‘no win, no fee’ service.
Unhappy with our service?
If something hasn’t met your expectations, we want to hear from you.
We have a clear feedback and complaints process and will always aim to put things right quickly and fairly.
Stay safe
If someone visits your home out of the blue about making a disrepair claim:
- Be cautious - if they ask for access to your home, ask to see their ID to be sure that they are who they say they are
- Don’t feel pressured to sign anything straight away – talk to us first
- Don’t share personal details unless you’re sure who you’re speaking to.
If you’re ever unsure, please call us on 01494 476100 for advice.