Testimonials

Bill prepared SAL's written submission in relation to the DWP LHA Inquiry and later represented us before the Work & Pensions Select Committee hearings in London. He's currently providing Housing Benefit training, throughout Scotland, on our behalf, and I'm also aware of members who've already benefited from his unique advocacy skills

John Blackwood, SAL
I'm just a small landlord who had been repeatedly ripped off by various tenents. The Council's HB section were not interested in helping and I found using a solicitor costly and of little use. SAL introduced me to Bill, and within a fortnight he had secured me just under a £1000 in the form of an 'ex gratia' payment in recompense for NOT paying me, as they should have direct. He is also pursuing the Council, on my behalf, to secure HB direct for my latest tenant.

Andrew Baillie, Dundee
The letter Bill drafted for me was exactly what I needed. It quoted all the housing benefit regulations where the local authority had gone wrong in dealing with my case. I am quite convinced that I will get a satisfactory response from the local authority after sending Bill's letter. This kind of service is exactly what landlords need. I deal with 4 different local authorities, and all of them seem to have their own take on how LHA should be administered. With Bill's knowledge of Housing Benefit, landlords can be sure if the local authority are dealing with them in the correct manner or not.

Robert Gillies, West Lothian
I'm the owner of AJProperties with over 100 properties in my portfolio. Like most landlords, I've had a number of problems with the Housing Benefits since the new Regulations came in. I met Bill at a seminar run by the Scottish Association of Landlords - he was the main speaker. I have found Bill to be worth his weight in gold. He seems to know all the regulations inside out and does get results for us. I look at Bill and his business in the same way as I look at any other problem I have. If I have a leak in a roof I get a roofer, if I have a Housing Benefit problem I get Bill to deal with the Council, and the money usually comes direct to me, before it was going to the tenant. As a reputable landlord I'd have no hesitation in recommending HB Advice & Advocacy to anyone who is experiencing difficulty with the HB

Alex Walker, West Lothian
Having been buffeted and bemused by ECC and the workings of the LHA, I was very pleased to meet Bill. Nothing though could have prepared me for the speed and efficiency in the way Bill works. Having someone who knows how the system operates, the regulations and the inner workings of the council has been completely invaluable to me and now know I will get rent back for my landlords. His experience and expertise have surpassed my expectations and nothing is too much trouble for him.

Debbie Brown, Edinburgh
Superb! Best seminar I've ever attended & there have been lots! Thank you!

Lynn Hunter
Bill Irvine successfully refuted a clawback claim form a Council and they backed down very quickly once they realised he knew more about the system than they did!

Richard Watters, National Property Group
In just a week Bill achieved more than I or my tenant had in eight months of wrangling with the council. The tenant had been told that she didn't qualify for HB because she had previously owned the house she now rents. Bill lifted all the stress of dealing with this from our shoulders and swiftly clarified the legal position surrounding this complex area to council staff. His knowledge of the benefit regulations and case law is second to none, and we were spared the delays and worry of appealing to a Tribunal. I cannot recommend Bill highly enough, both to private or social landlords.

Yvonne MacQuarrie
Due to the efforts of Bill Irvine I have now obtained full repayments back from Wycombe District Council (WDC). Further more the council (WDC) have had to cancel the full outstanding balance and also discontinue a CCJ the council had obtained on me.

This was an extremely complicated issue that dated back from over 3 years ago and found that Bill Irvine handled this case with expertise, dedication and conviction.

Sarah Nelson
I came to HB Advocacy and Advice at a very late stage in my application for Housing Benefit which had taken some 18 months and become complex, from my first contact Mr Irvine was able to provide clear substantive advice for the way forward. Mr Irvine provided representation at Tribunal which resulted in a successful outcome. Without Mr Irvine's knowledge and professional approach I know I would have lost my claim.

Howard McCabe, Perth
County Rents, London enlisted the help of HB Advice & Advocacy because of the problems we were encountering with the London Boroughs. Bill's unique understanding of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and Housing Benefit rules helped us reclaim over £5000 of rent that we would otherwise have lost. I would not hesitate to recommend this vital service and have already been doing so

Nish Kotecha, County Rents
This is a vital and invaluable service to any landlord letting to housing benefit claimants. Bill acts immediately, is fast, responsive and gets results quicker and cheaper than any solicitor, local authority agent or landlord I know. Try him out!

Bilesh Joshi, London
HB Advice & Advocacy have helped us recover around £15,000 in LHA payments we previously would have written off as lost income. We deal with a number of the London Boroughs and find arguing with them pointless and very time and resource intensive. Bill's background and HB expertise is rather unique. He's also very responsive, keeps you informed, and doesn't act without securing your permission. I'd recommend him without question

Samir Patel , Fresh Start Housing, London
FastTrak specialises in insuring landlords against the performance of housing benefit tenants. When we experience difficulties beyond our own staffs expertise level, we turn to Bill, whose knowledge and expertise in this area is second to none. In the first month of working with Bill he successfully resolved over £19000 worth of payment issues on our behalf. A very useful contact for any landlord!

Damon Thomas, FastTrak
Bill Irvine is an essential contact for any Landlord with DSS Tenants. What he doesn't know about Local Housing Allowance isn't worth knowing! After months of battling with Durham C.C. over a backdated payment of £1500 for one of our tenants we consulted Bill. The Council backed down after a phone call from him and we secured our payment - all of which was agreed within a couple of days. What a result!

Wendy Martin, Menlove Estates Ltd.