Advocate information for the housing appeal process
Find out what you need to do if you want an advocate or support person with you when appealing to the Housing Appeals Committee.
If you are appealing to the Housing Appeals Committee (HAC), you can have an advocate or support person with you to help.
Who can be your advocate
Your advocate or support person can be:
- a worker with a support agency who assists you
- a tenancy advice service worker
- a friend or colleague
- a family member.
Advocates do not provide legal support
You do not need to bring legal support to the hearing.
You must give permission for an advocate to represent you
You can let an advocate represent you on the day of the hearing or email the Secretariat before the hearing if you want an advocate to:
- speak on your behalf, or
- receive emails, phone calls or letters.
The preference of the Secretariat is for you to speak. You will need to sign the Advocate Authority form.
Things an advocate or support person should do before an appeal
Your advocate or support person can help by doing the following before an appeal:
- Help you consider other options such as contacting other agencies who can help with your housing problems.
- Confirm that you have already completed an internal First Tier Appeal with the housing provider and have received an outcome.
- If you decide to appeal, help get all supporting documentation ready.
- Work with you to outline your needs for the housing service.
Things an advocate should do if you decide to appeal
Your advocate or support person can help by finding out how the appeal process works and what decisions can be appealed by:
- reading about the appeals process
- contacting us.
Your advocate or support person can help you by:
- advising you on how to appeal
- getting any additional support documents, you may need to help with your appeal.
Find an advocate
If you want the help of an advocate, you can find one at: