Housing options
There are many situations where we can help you keep your home or find alternative accommodation.
When you contact your local Housing Advice Service it is likely you will be offered an initial interview to help gain an overview of your situation and discuss suitable housing options. In some cases we will give you information about other specialist agencies who can offer you assistance. Please remember our first duty is to help you keep the home you currently have, if it is safe and reasonable to do so.
Common housing problems faced:
- Being asked to leave by friends or parents
- Landlords giving notice to quit
- Experiencing domestic violence or other harassment
- Relationship breakdowns
- Difficulties maintaining rent or mortgage payment
What options can we offer?
There are many situations where we can help you keep your home or find alternative accommodation:
- Negotiating with landlords over rent arrears, tenancy issues and unfit properties
- Help and advice with paying your mortgage, including negotiating payment of arrears and applying for assistance from the Government sponsored Mortgage Rescue Scheme
- Advice on claiming Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and maximising benefit income
- Advice on your housing options if you are affected by domestic violence or abuse
- Referrals to supported housing schemes
- Finding private rented accommodation including financial assistance through our Rent Deposit Schemes
- Advice on neighbour nuisance
- Applying for social housing through the
housing register (opens in a new window)
process - Advice on home ownership schemes
Housing option interviews
You may be asked to provide information relevant to your situation such as your tenancy agreement, notice to quit from your landlord, letters threatening repossession from mortgage lenders or any court orders you may have. You should also bring with you details of any debts and proof of household income, such as wages slips or details of benefits you receive.
If we are unable to assist in keeping your home or finding you another, we may have to ask you to complete a homeless application to assess any statutory duty we may have to help you further.
What if I cannot get to the housing advice service offices to be interviewed?
If you are unable to get to our housing offices we may be able to arrange a home visit.
