What to do if bailiffs turn up at your door
A notice of enforcement is a letter that tells you bailiffs will visit your home to collect debt payments. When you receive a notice of enforcement, it can be quite…
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“Debt advisors can take you out of the darkness and push you towards the light.”
Ellen* came to the Law Centre after she lost her job as a security officer. Although she began looking for another job right away, Ellen found herself unemployed, unable to…
Reaching out to Merton’s communities
In 2023, South West London Law Centres received generous funding from Merton Council’s Civic Pride Fund. Designed to support the voluntary and community sector for three years up to March 2026, the funding the Law Centre received was…
Everything you need to know about housing possession hearings
If you’ve received a letter telling you to attend a court hearing at Wandsworth, Kingston or Croydon County Court related to a housing possession, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. You may also be feeling anxious about your court hearing. But there’s lots of support…
“I feared for my life, but now my son and I are safe.”
Young mum Aisha* came to us in 2025, traumatised after experiencing domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and his family. Having fled her home with her new baby, Aisha was living in a women’s refuge. “I was born in Pakistan and had…
Croydon water charge refunds: your FAQs answered
In July, some tenants of council properties in Croydon will have received some extra money into their rent accounts. If you were a Croydon council tenant between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2016, you will have…
Housing rights, housing wrongs
A recent case seen at our Croydon office highlights the urgent need for funding and reform In late July, a woman with four children aged seven to fifteen came to South West London Law Centres’ Croydon office. The children had returned…
“I had £15,000 of debt, but I didn’t have to deal with it alone.”
June* was a single parent living with two of her three children in temporary accommodation when she became overwhelmed by mounting debts. Unable to work due to ill health, June was trying to make ends meet on a low income and struggling…
8 ways to cut costs (without feeling deprived)
If you’re looking for ways to tighten your belt, these easy tips can help you stay on track. Nobody enjoys having to find ways to save money, especially when things are already tight. If you’re worried about casting an eye over your…
Build a better budget
Our guide to creating a budget is a great first step towards managing your money. The cost-of-living crisis has left more than 7 million people in the UK struggling to pay their bills. So if you’re worried about money, you’re certainly not alone. “When you’ve got…