At risk of losing your home

6 min read

If you are in private rented accommodation and have an assured shorthold tenancy agreement, your landlord must provide you with a formal notice to end the tenancy for you to leave the property. The form of the notice will depend on the type of tenancy you have and the reason why your landlord is asking you to leave.

This short video explains how a landlord may issue notice to end your tenancy, what the notices involve and steps you can take if you receive a notice.

Watch time: 6 min

There are 2 types of notices landlords can use:

Section 21 Notice

Currently, the landlord does not need to evidence any breach of tenancy agreement to issue a notice for you to leave. It is likely that you will receive a Section 21 notice in these circumstances. You are unable to challenge a Section 21 notice and, as long as the notice is valid, possession must be granted to the landlord. There is normally a reason why the landlord has served a Section 21 notice, such as requiring the property for their own use, financial difficulties, requiring vacant possession to carry out essential repairs, or other personal reasons.

Section 8 Notice

If there has been a breach of the terms of your Tenancy Agreement, the landlord can issues a Section 8 notice. A breach of your Tenancy Agreement could be persistent rent arrears or late payments, or anti-social behaviour. You can challenge a Section 8 notice and it is recommended that you seek advice immediately if you receive this type of notice.

If you are a social housing tenant and you have a secure or assured tenancy agreement, you will not receive a notice for no reason. You will have only received notice to leave if you have breached the conditions of your tenancy agreement. You should still follow the steps below to prevent your eviction.

If you are being asked to leave as a result of a breach of your tenancy conditions, you must take all reasonable steps to prevent your eviction. If you fail to do something, such as paying your rent, or you behave in a way that results in notice being served, you may be found intentionally homeless and no further accommodation will be provided to you. The Homelessness Prevention Team will discuss this with you in more detail.

Steps you can take

If you have been served with a section 21 notice you should first check that the notice is valid. You can check whether its valid online. If you do not have a tenancy agreement and you share the accommodation with your landlord, you have fewer rights against eviction, but you should still get reasonable notice (usually 28 days). If you believe the notice is invalid please contact the landlord or letting agent to discuss. We can help you with discussions with your landlord and help to confirm if the notice is valid or not.

If the notice is not correct

If you have received a notice to leave your home, and you do not think it is valid you should contact your landlord to discuss. If you require help discussing this with your landlord you should contact us as soon as possible.

If the notice is correct

As soon as the notice is received, and it has been confirmed that it is valid, we would recommend that you take the following actions. You should contact us as soon as you receive a valid notice to leave your home. In the meantime, you can also take the following actions:

• contact your landlord or letting agent to find out the reason the notice has been served
• if the reason for the notice is rent arrears, negotiate an affordable repayment plan that you can stick to
• if the reason for the notice is an increase in rent, negotiate an affordable price for you with your landlord or letting agent
• negotiate a later date to leave the property, giving yourself more time to make alternative arrangements
• make sure you have maximised your income, including checking that you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled

If the reason the notice has been served cannot be resolved, you can take the following actions:

• discuss with your current landlord or letting agent if they have any alternative accommodation available for you to access, in which case you may be able to transfer the deposit to another property
• contact other local landlords or letting agents to make them aware of your needs and register for available properties
• use social media and online agents, such as Rightmove to search for suitable properties
• start considering ways to get a deposit and rent in advance for a new property, remembering that you should have a previous deposit returned to you
• consider speaking to family, friends, or using savings to secure a deposit and other costs
• avoid taking loans for your deposit amount if you are already struggling financially
• if accommodation is not affordable in Reading, consider widening your search to other areas that may be more affordable
• speak to family or friends to see if they are able to accommodate you in the short term while you continue to search for a suitable property

Assistance the local authority can provide

Social housing is in short supply. If you become homeless, it is likely that the support the local authority will provide is helping you to secure private rented accommodation. We understand that the barrier to do this for most people is financial and we can support with the following:

• checking that any notice served is valid and discussing this with your landlord or letting agent
• offering help in negotiations with the current landlord to explore options for you to remain in your home
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

4 min read

If you are living with family or friends, you do not have a tenancy agreement and it is important to remember that you are living there with the owner’s permission. As you are living in someone else’s home, it is important that you positively contribute towards the household. This could mean paying a level of rent, buying your own food, or helping around the home.

Living with family or friends is an opportunity for you to save money towards a deposit for your own future home. Renting can be expensive and comes with many responsibilities. Whilst having your own space is appealing, it is more sustainable when you are in a stable financial situation.

This video explores some expectations of living with family and friends, what could happen if they ask you to leave and where to seek advice or support when necessary.

Watch time: 4 min

If your family or friends have asked you to leave, they should ideally give you at least 28 days’ notice, which gives you some time to find another place to stay. However, there might be situations where you receive less notice, for example, where there is poor behaviour or an emergency situation.

Steps you can take

If you feel that there are potential issues that may arise (even before you are asked to leave), start talking to the family or friends you are living with. Think carefully about:

• the issues/problems
• what you want to achieve
• what your family or friends may want
• how you could realistically solve the issues

Approach the negotiation or mediation honestly and openly and be prepared to work together with your family or friends to solve the issues. Focus on the future, rather than what has already happened. You can find tips about how to negotiate yourself online, for example from Relate. We can also assist with negotiations if this is required.

If you are unable to resolve the situation and your family or friends ask you to leave, you can:

• try to negotiate more time to give you time to make alternative arrangements
• speak to other family or friends to see if they can accommodate you in the short term while you secure alternative accommodation
• register with landlord and lettings agents and make them aware of your needs
• use social media and online searches such as Rightmove to look for suitable accommodation
• if accommodation is not affordable in Reading, consider widening your search to other areas that may be more affordable
• start considering ways to get a deposit and rent in advance for a new property (we may be able to help you with this)
• consider speaking to family, friends, or using savings to secure a deposit and other costs
• avoid taking loans for your deposit amount if you are already struggling financially

Assistance the local authority can provide

If you feel that you will be unable to negotiate remaining where you are or secure an alternative home, contact us as soon as possible. The more time we have to support you, the more likely we can prevent your homelessness.

We can also help by:

• carrying out a visit to meet with you and the owner of the property in the home to discuss actions that can be taken to prevent you from becoming homeless
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

1 min read

Learning how to manage your money and getting advice on your debts is helpful for everyone. However, it is especially important if you are struggling to pay for your home. You should address the situation as early as possible to avoid it becoming out of control. The sooner you can resolve the situation, the more options you will have.

Steps you can take

Getting debt and money advice can help you to feel less anxious and more in control of your life:

• work out your income, outgoings, and what you owe
• plan your weekly and monthly budget and understand what you can afford
• identify the most important debts to prioritise
• decide on a plan to deal with your debts
• negotiate with the people you owe money to
• understand court procedures and how to reply to court documents

Assistance the local authority can provide

If you are struggling with your living costs and have worked out your finances but your home is still unaffordable, contact us as soon as possible. We will work with you to make your current home affordable for you and will explore opportunities with other organisations who can assist you.

If you have been issued a notice to quit from your accommodation please see the received notice to quit section.

7 min read

Your home may no longer be physically suitable if it is in disrepair, insanitary, overcrowded, or if it is not accessible due to disability or ill health. Depending on the situation, we will first try to support you to remain in your home.

If your home is overcrowded

Your home can become overcrowded due to:

• a new addition to the household
• children returning to live at home
• children reaching a significant age

Overcrowding rules apply when you are looking for assistance due to homelessness caused by significant overcrowding. To be considered homeless in this context, the overcrowding should meet specific statutory criteria and potentially be recognised as a Category 1 Hazard by Environmental Health. However, you can still seek advice in situations where you believe any of these conditions apply.

Steps that you can take

There are thing you can do to reduce the stress of living in overcrowded conditions. Some actions you can consider are:

• exploring whether your home can be rearranged to create extra space, especially if there are concerns about children sharing
• looking into simple and cheap ways of dividing space in your home to provide privacy for both parents and children
• temporarily using common living areas like the lounge or dining room as additional sleeping spaces (unless these areas are open-plan or serve as a way into the kitchen)
• supporting any adults in the home to secure their own accommodation, if this is considered appropriate
• avoiding moving any additional family members into your home and seeking advice on options for them, if required
• if you are a private tenant unable to continue to use your home, you could look for alternative private rented accommodation
• if you are a social housing tenant, you can apply to join Homechoice at Reading, however, this is not a quick solution due to the high demand for social housing in the borough
• if you are a social housing tenant, the quickest way to achieve a move will be via a mutual exchange or Homefinder UK

Assistance the local authority can provide

The local authority’s priority will be to support you to remain in your accommodation. If this is not possible, we will:

• carry out an assessment to establish if the overcrowding in your home would result in the property being unreasonable for you to continue to occupy
• support you to secure alternative and suitable accommodation in the private rented sector, if you are already a private tenant

If your home is in disrepair

If your home is in disrepair, you should first discuss your concerns with your landlord. Some repairs may be your responsibility and these will be outlined below. Check the conditions of your tenancy, as it may specify additional repairs that are considered your landlord’s responsibility.

Your responsibilities

Tenants have responsibilities for some repairs and the condition of the home. You must use your home in a “tenant like manner”. This means:

• keeping your home reasonably clean
• arranging for professional safety checks on electrical appliances you own
• keeping gardens and outside areas in a reasonable state
• making sure the home is well ventilated to avoid condensation
• minor maintenance such as checking light bulbs and batteries in smoke alarms

Your landlord’s responsibilities

As a general rule, the repairs that will be the landlord’s responsibility are:

• electrical wiring
• gas pipes and boilers
• heating and hot water
• chimneys and ventilation
• sinks, baths, toilets, pipes and drains
• the structure and exterior of you home, including stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and window
• if you live in a flat the landlord may also be responsible for common areas, such as lifts and stairs and the structure of the whole property

Your landlord must carry out repairs within a reasonable period of time, depending on how serious the problem is.

Dealing with damp and mould

Landlords have specific health and safety responsibilities regarding the condition of your home, which include addressing issues like damp and mould. To prevent damp and mould in your property, both you and your landlord can take certain measures. Unless this issue significantly affects you or your family, it is unlikely that your home will be considered unsuitable for occupation. A visit from the housing team may be necessary to evaluate the severity of the situation.

Support during property renovation

Occasionally, a property may need major renovations to remain habitable. This could involve repairing the building’s structure or updating the heating system. During such renovations, you may need to temporarily vacate your home. In those cases, it is reasonable to expect your landlord to assist you in finding alternative housing for the duration of the work. Please discuss this option with your landlord beforehand. If you are a social housing tenant, you may be offered an alternative property, often referred to as a “decant,” to move into until the renovations on your home are finished.

Landlord notices

If you are a private tenant, it is illegal for your landlord to issue a notice to end a tenancy agreement if you have directly complained to them about the lack of repairs and you have sought advice from an Environmental Health team. If the council issues the landlord an improvement notice or an emergency works notice, the landlord cannot serve you with a Section 21 notice for 6 months. You will receive a copy of these notices from the council if they are issued. These specify the actions the landlord must take to improve the property and provide a time frame for the necessary work. If you receive a notice, from your landlord following involvement from Environmental Health Team, it is referred to as a “revenge notice,” and it may not be valid. If you suspect you have received a “revenge notice,” please contact the Homelessness Prevention Team for further guidance.

Steps that you can take

If you believe your home is no longer suitable for you to occupy as a result of disrepair, you should:

• discuss this with your landlord as soon as the problem arises, this may make any repair easier, cheaper and quicker to resolve
• take any reasonable action to prevent the further deterioration of the home, such as in cases of mould and damp, ventilate and heat the home appropriately
• if you are a private tenant, get further information on Environmental Health services
• consider looking for alternative accommodation in the private rented sector, if you are already a private tenant
• if you are a social housing tenant, you can apply to join Homechoice at Reading, however, this is not a quick solution due to the high demand for social housing in the borough
• if you are a social housing tenant, the quickest way to achieve a move will be via a mutual exchange or Homefinder UK

Assistance the local council can provide

The local authority will be able to assist you in the following ways:

• help with discussions and negotiations with your landlord
• take action against your landlord if a revenge notice has been served
• make referrals to Environmental Health if you are unable to do this yourself
• assess if the property is not suitable for you to continue to occupy
• If you are considered to be homeless as a result of the condition of your home, carry out an assessment and support you to secure more suitable alternative private rented accommodation

If you believe that your accommodation is no longer suitable for you to occupy please contact the Homelessness Prevention Team.

If you have a disability or illness

You may find yourself in a situation where, as a result of a newly diagnosed medical condition or a deterioration in a medical condition, your home is no longer suitable for you. If this is the case, the local authority will first consider ways to make your home more suitable, regardless if you are a private tenant, owner occupier, or social housing tenant.

The first step would be to make a self referral for an Occupational Therapist assessment. An assessment will be carried out to determine what support and/or adaptations you may require and if your property would accommodate the adaptations required to support you to access essential parts of your home. There are several grants available to fund adaptations required and these can be considered accordingly.

6 min read

When a relationship breaks down it can be hard to decide the best way forward. There are lots of things to consider, including what happens with finances, property, and belongings. This is more difficult if there are children in the relationship. There are things you can do to make the transition from the relationship easier. Not all relationship breakdowns will result in homelessness – the ideal situation is that you continue to live together until one of the individuals can secure alternative accommodation.

If you are considering approaching the local authority as homeless, we will likely expect you to first determine your rights in the matrimonial home. It is important that you remain in the home, unless there is a risk to you if you remain.

Joint owners and tenants

If you share ownership or tenancy of a property with your partner, you both have an equal right to live there based on your shared interest. You are both also liable for the financial obligations, such as paying the mortgage or rent. In the event of a relationship breakdown, if you jointly own or rent a property, you will have accommodation available for you to occupy. If you cannot continue living together or fail to agree on who should leave, you can apply to the court to transfer the property’s ownership or tenancy to you, making you the sole owner or tenant.

Seeking legal advice is essential to understand your options, and you might be eligible for Legal Aid to assist with the costs. Check here to see if you qualify. If you are unsure about who owns your home, you can check at the Land Registry for a small fee. Sometimes tenancy agreements may include a clause stating that you need the landlord’s consent for the transfer of the tenancy to another party.

Married couples and civil partners

If you are married or in a civil partnership, the ownership or tenancy of the property does not matter. The law recognises that both partners have an equal right to live there. This right remains in effect until death or the dissolution of the marriage/partnership. Therefore, if your spouse owns or rents the property and asks you to leave, you are under no obligation to do so. You can request a court order to have the ownership or tenancy of the property transferred to you.

If your partner leaves and you continue to live in the property, you have the right to pay the mortgage or rent on their behalf. If you have a low income or receive benefits, you can claim help with housing costs to help you meet the financial obligations on the property. If you want to get a court order to have the property rights transferred to you, you will need to seek legal advice. You can check if you are eligible for legal cost assistance.

Cohabiting couples

If you are not married to your partner, your rights to the property depend on your interest in it. If you are a joint owner or tenant, both of you have the right to remain in the property in case of a relationship breakdown. However, if you are not married and your partner is the sole owner or tenant, you do not have the same rights as someone who is married. If you are asked to leave, it is reasonable for them to provide you with a typical notice of 28 days.

If you have a child from the relationship, you can request the court to transfer the property’s interest to you for the benefit of the child. If you wish to do this, you will need to seek legal advice. You can check if you are eligible for legal cost assistance.

Steps that you can take

No matter what type of property you live in, you should start by discussing with your ex-partner what you both want and try to come to an agreement. You should agree a reasonable time for either party to move out of the property. It is really important that you both understand what needs to be discussed and resolved as a result of the relationship ending. You can find online resources and companies that can assist with negotiations and mediation after a breakup. If you cannot agree on a plan, consider seeking assistance from a professional, such as:

• a mediator (you can find out more at Citizens Advice or GOV.UK)
• a solicitor

If remaining in your home is not an option and you have explored your legal position regarding your rights, you may need to take the following steps:

• contact local landlords or letting agents to make them aware of your needs and register for available properties
• use social media and on line agents, such as Rightmove to search for suitable properties
• start considering ways to get a deposit and rent in advance for a new property
• speak to family or friends, or use savings to secure a deposit and other costs
• speak to family or friends to see if they are able to accommodate you in the short term while you continue to search for a suitable property
• avoid taking loans for your deposit amount if you are already struggling financially
• if accommodation is not affordable in Reading, consider widening your search to other areas that may be more affordable

Assistance the local authority can provide

You should contact us as soon as possible so that we can help you navigate your way around the rights you have in the home. The local authority will be able to provide the following support:

• signpost you to relevant services, such as mediation and legal advice
• mediate with your ex-partner to prevent you from becoming homeless, if it is reasonable to do so
• make referrals to other agencies for support, such as Brighter Futures for Children
• establish if it is reasonable for you to remain in your home
• carry out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• provide an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

5 min read

Reading Borough Council are committed to the safety of those experiencing domestic abuse in a relationship. The recent Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as anyone aged 16 and over who are “personally connected” to another who may be experiencing behaviours inclusive of:

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• violent or threatening behaviour
• controlling or coercive behaviour
• economic abuse
• psychological, emotional or other abuse

Our main focus is to ensure your safety, both now and in the future. We will assess what kind of support you might need to make sure of this. We acknowledge that leaving your home may not be the solution. We will also take into account the needs of everyone in your household.

Steps you can take

There are things that you could do to safeguard yourself and your family. The following actions will differ depending on your circumstances and level of risk so we recommend that you only take actions that would not result in further abuse. You can contact:

Berkshire Women’s Aid

Contact them on their helpline for information, advice, and support with your situation. You can call 0808 801 0882 or visit their website.

The police

You can report any incident of domestic abuse and use 999 in an emergency.

• if you are deaf or cannot use a phone, register with emergencySMS by texting REGISTER to 999 and following their instructions. Remember:
• if you are unable to speak, press 55 and this will transfer the call to the police – keep in mind this only works on mobile phones and does not allow the police to track your location
• you can respond to the operator with coughing and tapping the handset to communicate that you are at risk

Other supporting agencies

There are a number of other resources and support that you can access to work out the best option for you and to gain the advice you need.

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0808 200 0247
• Men’s Advice Line is available Monday to Friday from 9am – closing times vary but webchat is also available via their website or on 0808 801 0327
• FlagDV offers free legal advice for victims of domestic abuse and you can complete an online referral form on the FlagDV website
• Karma Nirvana supports victims of forced marriages and honour-based violence, and is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm: 0800 5999 247 or email info@karmanirvana.org.uk if it is safe to do so
• a local authority of your choice, where you feel safe as homeless, if you require safe accommodation
• your Housing Officer, if you are a social housing tenant, who may be able to support with securing your home, or if safe accommodation is required, a move to alternative accommodation within the borough (if this is deemed safe)

Additionally, you can also take the following steps:

• check if someone has an abusive past by asking the police to carry out a check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (otherwise known as “Clare’s” Law) – you have the right to ask and if records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing this information
• you can request disclosures on behalf of someone you know, if you are worried about a friend or relative.
• source a space in a refuge directly, which can also be done via Berkshire Women’s Aid by calling 0808 801 0882

Assistance the local authority can provide

You should seek advice from the local authority as soon as you are able and ready to. We will not ask you to prove that abuse has taken place, but we will ask you questions about your experiences, the impact this has had, and the outcomes you wish to achieve. This is so that we can tailor our advice to your individual needs. You can be supported by a friend or relative during the assessment, and if needed, you can request to see only female or male Officers. We will assess the level of risk by using a DASH Risk Checklist to better shape the support we are able to provide.

Support that we can provide could be:

• referring you for support from Berkshire Women’s Aid (if you have not already done so) for specialist advice on your situation
• supporting and/or funding additional security measures in your home, such as security lighting, extra locks on windows and doors, and higher fencing
• presenting you with your options regarding your safety in a domestic abuse situation, for you to be able to make an informed decision on what is the right action for you and your family
• if you require safe accommodation, we can make a referral to refuge accommodation – this accommodation will include support you may require at this time to keep yourself safe, make the changes you need to be independent of an abusive partner, and help you to not return back to an abusive situation
• if you have concerns regarding children and give us your consent, we will be able to make a referral to obtain support for them, and you, from Brighter Futures for Children
• if you would like support to move on in a planned way, and it is safe for you to do so, we will work with you to secure safe and affordable alternative accommodation – this is likely to be in the private rented sector, however, you can also register with Homechoice at Reading for social housing, or consider social housing options outside of Reading via Revive with Homefinder UK.

4 min read

Experiencing problems with your neighbours can be upsetting and impact the enjoyment of your home. However, these are more likely to be arguments and disagreements rather than severe harassment or anti-social behaviour. The most common neighbour disputes are regarding noise, parking, and garden fencing.

To prevent a simple dispute from escalating into harassment or anti-social behaviour, it is important to address the problem early on. It is also crucial to consider that some external factors, like poor building design, lack of insulation, or insufficient parking, can contribute to the nuisances you experience from your neighbours. These factors may be beyond anyone’s control, and it is important to recognise and understand this. It is unlikely that a dispute with a neighbour will result in your home being unreasonable to continue to occupy, unless there has been reported violence.

Anti-social behaviour does not have a single, precise definition, but it is typically described as behaviour as persistent in nature and likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to someone. Harassment, as defined by the Harassment Act of 1997, must not pursue a course of conduct which amounts to the harassment of another person, the conduct has taken place on at least two occasions and must be shown to have a degree of intentionality.

Steps you can take

You should take action at the earliest opportunity to prevent the problem from escalating. Some of the steps you can take are:

• if it is safe to do so and there is no risk, when the problem first occurs, consider discussing it directly with the person responsible to make them aware of the impact it is having on you – you might be able to resolve the problem and prevent it from continuing
• if you and/or your neighbour is a social housing tenant, you can report this to your landlord or read our reporting antisocial behaviour information and advice
• if you feel that the behaviour constitutes harassment or anti-social behaviour, you can contact the Police for advice or to report the issue
• for noise or pet nuisance, you can report this to the local authorities environmental health department or download the free app
• consider collecting evidence over a period of time, documenting the frequency (dates, times, and duration) of the issues, the nature and impact they had on you, and (if possible) the perpetrators and any witnesses – this is best kept in a diary and will help create a clear record of your concerns
• you can seek legal advice regarding injunctions to prevent the behaviour of your neighbour
• if you are a social housing tenant and you wish to move, you can register with Homechoice at Reading
• if you are a private tenant, you can consider securing alternative accommodation

Assistance the local authority can provide

If you feel that the issues with your neighbours put you at risk or make your current home unreasonable for you to continue to occupy, please contact us as soon as possible. We will only be able to assist if we have assessed that you are homeless as a result of the issues with your neighbours, and will provide the following:

• signpost to mediation specialists for support with the discussions with your neighbours
• make contact with a social housing landlord to discuss your concerns and understand action they can take
• support with referrals for legal advice

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

4 min read

Supported Accommodation in Reading is collectively known as Homelessness Support Services. There are various accommodation options with differing levels of support provided alongside accommodation. When you move into Homelessness Support Services accommodation a support plan will be drawn up with you and you will have regular meetings with your support worker to discuss your progress in working towards independent accommodation. Your move on options will be explained to you from the outset.

When moving into support accommodation, you will be provided with a licence agreement which sets out your responsibilities as a resident. You will be required to adhere to the your licence agreement as failure to do so could result in eviction.

Eviction, or the termination of your license agreement, may be required where a resident does not adhere to the terms of the licence agreement or where support offered is no longer required. You may be evicted if:

• you refuse to engage with the move on process, including turning down any identified suitable move on options
• there is a serious breach of the license conditions where a risk of harm to staff, other residents, or the building is present and unmanageable
• there is a deliberate and ongoing refusal to pay rent and/or service charges
• there is a refusal to engage with support and/or a referral to another provider better able to support your needs when all possibilities and alternatives to engage have been explored

Where a termination of a licence occurs, the notice should give as much time as possible for you to secure alternative accommodation. The notice should set out the reason why it has been issued. In most cases, you will be provided with 28 days’ notice. In some circumstances, where there is a risk to another resident or to staff, an immediate eviction may be required.

If you receive notice that your licence is being termination you should contact the Homelessness Prevention Team as soon as possible.

Steps you can take

To prevent yourself from becoming homeless, you must adhere to the conditions of the licence. However, if you are asked to leave, here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming homeless:

• you should have been provided with the opportunity to appeal any notice issued. This should be taken up where possible, as this could lead to the eviction being delayed or avoided. If you do appeal you will be invited to a meeting to discuss the appeal, and you can bring an advocate or another person for support
• try to negotiate more time before you have to leave, to give you time to make alternative arrangements, unless you have been asked to leave as a result of a risk
• speak to family or friends to see if they can accommodate you in the short term while you secure alternative accommodation
• register with landlords and letting agents and make them aware of your needs
• use social media and online searches, such as Rightmove, to look for suitable accommodation
• if accommodation is not affordable in Reading, consider widening your search to other areas that may be more affordable
• start considering ways to get a deposit and rent in advance for a new property (we may be able to help you with this)
• consider speaking to family, friends, or using savings to secure a deposit and other costs
• avoid taking loans for your deposit amount if you are already struggling financially

Assistance the local authority can provide

If you feel that you will be unable to negotiate remaining where you are or secure an alternative home, contact us as soon as possible. The more time we have to support you, the more likely we can prevent your homelessness. We can assist you by:

• help you to appeal the notice issued
• negotiating with the landlord to see if the eviction can be prevented
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself
• considering alternative supported accommodation if this is deemed suitable

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

6 min read

If you are about to live independently for the first time, being well-prepared is very important. Before leaving care, you should receive a Pathway Plan that outlines the support you will need to live independently. You should be allocated a Personal Adviser before leaving care. They will help you to:

• apply for housing and benefits
• identify your education and training options
• develop the skills you need to manage your money and live independently

This support will be tailored to your needs and recorded in your Pathway Plan. Your Personal Advisor will continue to support you until you reach 25, unless you no longer want this help.

If you are between 18 and 25 years old, the children’s service authority who looked after you may still have a responsibility to you and you may qualify for After Care Services. You will qualify for After Care Services if you are:

• 16 or 17 years old and currently in care, and you have spent a total of 13 weeks in care since you were 14 (including some time while you were 16 or 17), you will be considered an eligible young person
• 16 or 17 years old and have already left care, you spent a total of 13 weeks in care from the age of 14 (including some time while you were 16 or 17), you will be considered a relevant young person
• 18 to 25 years old and you spent a total of 13 weeks in care since the age of 14 (including some time while you were 16 or 17), you will be considered a former relevant person

If you are in accommodation provided by children’s services that is expected to end when you turn 18, they are responsible for making a Duty to Refer to the local authority of your preference. They will need your consent to make this referral before you reach the age of 18. The local authority to which you are referred will verify if you have a local connection to that area. This is typically based on where you currently live, work, or have close relatives. Additionally, as a care leaver, you will also have a local connection to:

• the children’s services area that arranged the placement (for example, if you are the responsibility of Reading but have been living in Oxford, you will retain a local connection to Reading)
• the area you have been living in, if you were placed by another local authority and you have spent at least two years living in that area, including some time before you turned 16 (for example, if you are the responsibility of Oxford children’s services but have been living in Reading, you will have a local connection to Reading)

If it is decided that you do not have a local connection, you will be referred to a local authority where you do.

If you are 16 or 17 years old and you become homeless, you will be the responsibility of children’s services. They will assess whether they need to provide you with accommodation. The primary goal for everyone is to ensure your safety and keep you at home if it is a safe option. If you become homeless, you can reach out to either children’s services or housing services for help. Regardless of which option you choose, if accommodation is needed, you will receive the same offer of support and assistance.

Steps you can take

If you are 16 or 17 years old and you feel like the situation at home is likely to break down, you can contact services early for advice and assistance. If you are living with friends or family, further advice can be found in the Your family or friends are asking you to leave section.

If you are under 18 years old and are living in accommodation provided by children’s services, they will already be discussing your situation with the Homelessness Prevention Team. However, you can contact the Homelessness Prevention Team to discuss your housing situation.

You must contact the Homelessness Prevention Services as soon as possible if you are under 25 years old, are a care leaver, and are worried about becoming homeless. You should also:

• be realistic about where you can afford to live – as a care leaver you may be entitled to a higher benefit amount but this may still not make self contained accommodation affordable
• work with your Personal Advisor to ensure you have the skills you need to live independently
• engage with the housing assessment
• ensure that you behave in a way that will not result in the loss of any accommodation provided
• recognise that you may not be ready to live independently and accept offers of supported accommodation, such as the YMCA, for a short period of time (up to 2 years), if this is deemed the best option for you by professionals. which will be discussed with you in more detail
• start searching for private rented accommodation

Assistance the local authority can provide

If you have followed all of the advice provided and you are still faced with homelessness, we will want to start working with you as soon as possible. 
We can offer the following support:

• work jointly with children’s services to keep you at home, if it is safe to do so
• working jointly with children’s services to identify the most suitable housing option for you
• if you are 16 or 17 years old, carrying out a joint assessment with children’s services to determine the right support
• making a referral to our supported accommodation for young people
• offering advice on how to secure private rented accommodation
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself
• providing advice on claiming benefits

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

3 min read

If you are in accommodation provided by the Home Office, it is because you are waiting to be considered for immigration status in the UK. This can be a long process and during this waiting period, you will not have access to housing support. When you do receive a status decision, you will be required to vacate the accommodation provided to you, and this may happen with very little notice.

Steps you can take

Before you are asked to leave the accommodation and while you are waiting for your status to be decided, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of securing employment and a new home once your current accommodation ends. It is a good idea to start preparing while you are awaiting a decision on your immigration status. You should have access to support with the following:

• thinking about your skills/training and what work you could access once you are able to work in the UK
• addressing any language barriers you may have, such as studying the English language
• putting together your CV to provide to potential employers
• researching local job vacancies in the area
• researching how to claim benefits and when you may be able to access this
• researching suitable areas as you may find that there are local communities in other areas for you to access further support
• researching the cost of living in different areas – the South East of England is a very expensive place to live and you may find that living further north will be cheaper and more accessible
• researching properties for rent, via online resources such as Rightmove

Places you can go to get further information, advice and support:

• The Refugee Council is a website with many resources to help you to access health services, education and employment
• The International Rescue Committee is an organisation that supports people affected by humanitarian crisis, which includes access to Read and To Work courses and support into employment

If you are made homeless from Home Office accommodation you should:

• approach a local authority of your choice (this does not have to be where you have been staying) for support with accommodation
• make an application for Universal Credit as soon as possible, as you will have to pay rent for any accommodation secured
• register for employment or training with the Job Centre

Assistance the local authority can provide

The local authority will work with you to try to resolve your housing situation, and will carry out the following:

• assess if you are entitled to emergency accommodation – not everyone is entitled to this and your Homelessness Prevention Officer will discuss this with you in detail
• provide you with advice on how to secure private rented accommodation
• carry out an affordability test to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• provide an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

6 min read

If you will be homeless when you leave prison, you must start exploring your housing options as soon as you know you are being released. If you are remanded in custody and already have accommodation that you have a rent liability for, there are steps that you should take to ensure that you do not lose this accommodation. It is really important that you understand that you are expected to take the required action to retain your home, or you may be found intentionally homeless. You may be able to get, or continue to get assistance with paying your rent while you are in custody.

Assistance with rent via Housing Benefit

If you are claiming Housing Benefit, you must tell the Housing Benefits Team if you are:

• remanded in custody
• sentenced
• released

You will only get Housing Benefit to help towards your rent if you intend to return home when you are released from prison. How long you will get Housing Benefit for depends on your circumstances.

If you are on remand or awaiting trial or sentencing

You can receive Housing Benefit for up to 52 weeks, however you will not get Housing Benefit if you sublet a property. Ask the prison to complete a “Notification of Remain in Custody Form” and send this to the Housing Benefit Team within 14 days.

If your bail conditions mean you have to live elsewhere

You may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help pay the rent on your normal home until your court hearing or up to 52 weeks. Your normal home is the home that you cannot return to due to your bail conditions, but would be where you would otherwise normally reside.

If you have been sentenced

You can continue to receive Housing Benefit as long as you aren’t likely to be in prison for more than 13 weeks (this includes time already spent on remand or awaiting sentence and any time you spend at home on temporary release). The prison service will tell you your earliest expected release date. Tell the Housing Benefits Team if your release date changes. The prison service should provide a change of status or custodial sentence form to confirm to the Housing Benefit Team that you have been sentenced or released.

If you are on a home detention curfew or are released

You can claim Housing Benefit as normal. If you did not get Housing Benefit while you were in prison, you may need to claim Universal Credit. You will not need to reclaim Housing Benefit if you spend less than 13 weeks in prison as you will still have a live claim.

You must tell the Housing Benefits Team you have been released and provide a “Released from Custody Form” to confirm your release date within 14 days of your release (your prison should provide this).

Assistance with rent via Universal Credit

While you are on remand, on bail or sentenced, you can continue to get the housing cost element of Universal Credit for up to 6 months.

If you have been sentenced

You will not get Universal Credit if you are likely to be in prison for more than 6 months, including any time you have already spent on remand/awaiting sentencing. You will not get help with housing costs if they were not included in your Universal Credit claim before you were sentenced. If you are serving a prison sentence, and you have a partner living in the property, they can claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to pay the rent on the home.

Steps you can take

If you are likely to need advice and assistance to find accommodation when you are released, you should contact the Homelessness Prevention Service as soon as possible and start exploring your options as soon as you know you are leaving prison. However here are some steps that you could take to prevent yourself from being homeless upon release.

• contact your Prison Resettlement Worker at the earliest opportunity – they will be able to assist you with relevant information, support, and guidance on a variety of resettlement issues including education, healthcare, employment, training and accommodation needs
• speak to your Prison Resettlement Worker and discuss the local authority you would like them to make a Duty To Refer prior to your release from prison – they should be helping you with this
• ensure that you have taken the necessary action to prevent losing a home that will be available to you upon release, by ensuring that the rent liability is covered, using the above advice
• speak to family and friends to see if there are any opportunities for you to temporarily stay with them while you are looking for alternative accommodation
• if you are released on licence, you may be given accommodation in a probation hostel if your sentence was for more than 12 months or you have MAPPA involved with your case – this will be arranged by the probation service and you will need to move in and adhere to the licence conditions during your stay
• look for private rented accommodation with letting agents and landlords

Assistance the local authority can provide

We will work with you to try to prevent you from becoming homeless before leaving prison or relieve your homelessness if you are released from prison with no accommodation available to you. If you chose to be referred to this local authority, the work will commence once we receive a Duty To Refer from the prison or contact from you.

We can also help by:

• offering advice on how to secure private rented accommodation
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself
• providing advice on claiming benefits
• making a referral to our supported accommodation (if you are a single adult or part of an established couple without dependent children)
• speaking to family and friends who may be able to accommodation you immediately following your release from prison while we continue to provide you with support to secure accommodation

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

5 min read

Reading Borough Council is committed to honouring the Armed Forces Community Covenant. The aim of the Covenant is to encourage all parties within a community to offer support to the local Armed Forces community (including veterans) and make it easier for services personnel, families, and veterans to access the help and support available.

Steps you can take

You should start exploring your housing options as soon as you know you are leaving the armed forces, or you are no longer in the armed forces but are facing homelessness. If you are likely to need advice and assistance to find accommodation you should contact the Homelessness Prevention Team as soon as possible. However, there is a wealth of support available to help you prevent homelessness, tailored to your specific needs:

• the Defence Transition Service can help you move out of Armed Forces housing and find a civilian home at any time during your career, not just when you are due to leave
• the Defence Transition Service are also able to help some Service leavers to be allocated social rented, via the MOD Referral Scheme
• the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, can help if you are living in Service family accommodation
• the Services Cotswold Centre, if you are being discharged and are looking for short-term accommodation
• The Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex Services (SPACES), if you are single and want support up to 12 months before discharge
• Veterans’ Gateway work in partnership with The Royal British Legion, Shelter, and Connect Assist; and their main aim is to make it easier for you to access information and support including applying for veterans housing schemes, help with deposits, buying a home in the UK, and finding supported accommodation if this is required
• SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, provides advice and assistance to those eligible for help across a range of issues including housing advice and the provision of some housing facilities
• Veteran’s Aid is a service which provides immediate, practical support to all ex-armed forces personnel who are homeless, facing homelessness, or are in crisis
• Haig Housing provides a general housing needs service for ex-serving personnel and their families
• Stoll Housing is a service which provides supported accommodation for veteran’s with support needs such as physical disability, mental health issues, substance misuse issues, homelessness or ongoing conditions
• Confederation of Service Charities (Cobseo) provides a directory of known specialist housing and support services available

Other options available to you will be:

• sourcing accommodation in the private rented sector
• you should be able to make an application to any local authority based on your status as a serving or former member of the armed forces, or a widow/ed family of a serving member of the armed forces, for social housing in that area
• exploring options for home ownership
• speaking to family and friends to see if they will be able to accommodate you while you are sourcing suitable accommodation

You should be able to find a solution to your housing situation by contacting the above appropriate support. However, if you are not able to, or they do not have a suitable option for you then as soon as you are aware that you will be leaving the forces, or when you have a Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy Service Accommodation (which will be issued before your discharge), please contact us so that we can help you find a new home to move to in a planned way.

Assistance the local authority can provide

We will work with you to try to prevent you from becoming homeless before leaving the armed forces, or relief your homelessness if you have left the armed forces with no accommodation available to you.

We can also help by:

• offering advice on how to secure private rented accommodation
• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself
• providing advice on claiming benefits
• making a referral to our supported accommodation (if you are a single adult or part of an established couple without dependent children)
• speaking to family and friends who may be able to accommodation you immediately following your release from prison while we continue to provide you with support to secure accommodation

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

3 min read

Anyone could find themselves in an unavoidable homeless situation as a result of an emergency. If you are homeless as a result of an emergency, the local authority will provide you with temporary accommodation while the problem is being resolved. This is likely to be in the short term while your property is being repaired.

Steps you can take

If you are worried about being made homeless in an emergency, there are things you can do to secure yourself for the future and potentially avoid this. Some of these are:

• ensuring that any electrical appliance coming into your home is PAT tested by a professional electrician and soft furnishings have the fire labels still attached
• ensuring that you have a smoke and carbon monoxide alarms positioned correctly throughout your home, and you test them regularly
• ensuring that you have fire fighting equipment in your home, such as fire blankets and the correct fire extinguishers, and that these remain in date
• avoid storing lithium-ion batteries within your home or garage, commonly found in e-scooters
• taking out the right insurances on your property and belongings to cover the cost in the event of an emergency
• keeping trees and outdoor structures secure and maintained

If you have been made homeless a a result of an emergency, you should:

• contact family and friends to see if they are able to accommodate you in the short term
• speak to your insurance company to find out what your policy will cover
• contact your landlord at the earliest opportunity to discuss what has happened and what their responsibilities are
• if it is likely that you will be unable to return to the property, start looking for alternative private rented accommodation

Assistance the local authority can provide

If the property is not habitable as a result of the emergency and you are unable to secure other accommodation, we will provide you with accommodation in the short term. In the meantime, we can:

• speak to the landlord to discuss their responsibilities to provide accommodation and repair the home
• speak to family and friends to see if they are able to help in the short term
• speak to any insurance companies to ascertain what options are available and what your cover provides

If it is established that you will not be able to return to the property, we can assist with the following:

• carrying out an affordability assessment to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• providing an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.

3 min read

The majority of people leaving hospital will have a home to return to. However, there may be situations where this is not the case. This includes:

• people who were homeless before being admitted to hospital
• people whose home will not be suitable on discharge from hospital
• people who are evicted while they are in hospital

If you think that you will be homeless on discharge from hospital, it is important that you speak to the hospital staff and make them aware of this, and if possible, on admission. Health authorities have a Duty To Refer a person to the Homelessness Prevention Service if they think that someone is homeless or may be threatened with homelessness.

Steps you can take

By the time you are discharged from hospital, it is really important that you have tried to resolve your housing situation. However, we do understand that this may not always be possible. Here are some things that you can do:

• contact the Homelessness Prevention Team as soon as possible
• if you are due to go into hospital for a planned procedure which will make your home unsuitable in the short or long term, seek advice from Adult Social Care prior to your appointment to explore your options, this may be care provided to you in your home, a piece of equipment that will help you to manage in your home, or an adaptation, such as stair lift or ramp, that may be required
• if your home is going to be unsuitable for you in the short term, speak to family and friends to see if they are able to accommodate you until you are able to return home
• speak to the hospital staff on admission and discuss any concerns you have regarding your accommodation on discharge
• request that the hospital staff make a Duty To Refer if this is required

Assistance the local authority can provide

The local authority’s priority will be to support you to move back to any accommodation that is available to you. If you feel that you are not able to resolve your housing situation and will become homeless on discharge from hospital, the local authority will:

• assess your current home and determine what is required to make this suitable for you
• make referrals to other teams that may be able to provide the service you require to make your home suitable, such as care or adaptations
• if your home is going to be unsuitable for you in the short term, speak to family and friends to see if they will be able to accommodate you until you can return home
• provide you with advice on how to secure private rented accommodation
• carry out an affordability test to see what accommodation is affordable for you
• provide an interest free loan for the rent in advance and deposit if you are unable to find this yourself

We may also assist you with the Rent Guarantee Scheme. This matches people who need homes with landlords who have private rented properties to let. We pay the rent directly to the landlord, in advance, and guarantee to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a tenancy deposit. Read more about the Rent Guarantee Scheme and find out if you qualify to apply. Keep in mind there are more tenants on the scheme than properties available, so you will probably have to find your own accommodation.

You can also apply for social housing by joining Homechoice at Reading or consider using Homefinder UK to find social housing in more affordable areas.