Liverpool law firm Astraea Linskills hires two legal professionals from local rival Angelus Law to head up its new housing disrepair team. Tony McDonough reports

Astraea Linskills has made a double appointment, hiring two people from Liverpool rival Angelus Law to manage its newly-formed housing disrepair team.

Sandra Craig was head of housing disrepair for Angelus and Albie Johnson was a senior litigator at the practice. Both had been at the first for around a year before joining Castle Street-based law firm Astraea Linskills.

A shortage in affordable housing and interest rate rises has seen growth in the rental market and this in turn has exacerbated the growing number of client enquiries regarding housing disrepair and associated landlord responsibilities.

This new unit at Astraea Linskills will work with the established welfare benefits team and provide a one-stop-shop for welfare benefit and housing repair related matters.

Sandra brings more than 30 years’ experience within the legal profession and a wealth of experience in housing disrepair, with particular focus on claims against social housing landlords.

She has dealt with hundreds of claims representing both claimants and defendants. In addition to making sure that repairs are undertaken, Sandra has been very successful in recovering compensation for tenants in housing disrepair claims.

“Representing clients in claims against social housing landlords is not just about getting the repairs carried out or even recovering compensation – it’s also about being a voice for our clients.

“Too often social housing tenants’ concerns are simply ignored, and they are left to live in horrendous and uninhabitable conditions. Everyone has the right to live in a property that is free from disrepair and is fit for human habitation.”

Albie Johnson has worked in the legal sector for more than 18 years specialising in personal injury. Over the past three years his main focus has been housing disrepair, predominantly representing tenants against social housing landlords.

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He added: “I am so excited to be part of the Astraea Linskills story. Since moving into the area of housing disrepair I have found a real passion in helping social housing tenants.”

Sara Perishine, director of Astraea Linskills, also said “This double appointment shows our commitment to provide a full legal service to those who often find themselves in intolerable living conditions.”