Housing Options and Homelessness
The housing advice and options service offers free and confidential advice to anyone who has housing problems or who needs help with finding somewhere to live.
Finding accommodation
We can help you find a place to live. We cannot guarantee that we can secure a home for everyone, but we can provide information about renting privately and advise on your housing options. If you find accommodation and you are on a low income, we can advise on housing benefit to help you with the rent. See also our pages on:
Homelessness prevention
Wherever possible, we will work with you to try to prevent you from becoming homeless. If you are experiencing problems which put you at risk of homelessness it is important that you contact the housing advice and options team as soon as possible.
You should make every effort to try to solve the housing difficulties you may be facing and ask for advice early. A housing advice officer will work with you to try to prevent you losing your current home, or discuss the options available to you to prevent you from becoming homeless.
If you are homeless, you may make a homeless application. However, we only have a legal duty to provide accommodation for some households who are homeless. See also our pages on:
The charity Shelter offers a wide range of advice related to housing and homelessness.
Your rights if you are renting accommodation from a private landlord
Our Housing Advice/Options Team can provide information to tenants of private landlords on their legal rights in relation to their tenancy or other queries.
See also our page on:
Tackling harassment and illegal eviction
All tenants have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of their home, and if this is being interfered with in any way by your landlord you should seek advice straight way. We have the powers to deal with harassment and illegal eviction and will prosecute when it is appropriate. For more information or advice contact the Housing Advice Options Team or the Council’s Legal Department.
Money advice
Our Housing Advice/Options Team can advise you about claiming housing benefit. They can also guide you to the right agencies to help with your welfare benefits and financial problems relating to your home.
You can also visit the Citizens Advice Bureau's website, where you can find out what other help and advice is available.
Advice for young single people 16-25
We can advise you on the housing options available for young people in Uttlesford. We may be able to refer you to mediation to try and solve problems at home or refer you to a supported housing project. We can also refer you to agencies who can advise you on benefits, training and employment. For more information you can contact the Housing Advice/Options Team. See also our pages on:
The housing support service
In Touch Floating Support has support workers who can provide practical help to households who may need extra support to maintain their tenancies or to deal with other housing related problems. To receive the service you can either be nominated by the Council or another Agency or you can refer yourself. For more information you can contact the Housing Advice/Options Team or the In Touch website at www.betterintouch.co.uk.