Homes for Ukraine: can you help?

It is now a year since the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched.

Thanks to the generosity of residents opening up their homes, 284 Ukrainians have arrived safely in our district.

Some guests are now in need of alternative accommodation.
 

Do you have space in your home?

Can you offer space either in your home or in an annexe or independent accommodation, for an individual or a family?

We are particularly keen to hear from potential sponsors who could offer accommodation close to community amenities such as schools, shops and good public transport links.
 

Who can record their interest

Anyone in the UK who has not been matched with a Ukrainian person or family, as long as:

• you can offer a spare room or home for at least 6 months
• if you're not a British citizen, you have leave to remain in the UK for at least 6 months
• you do not have a criminal record
   

Homes for Ukraine - Council Tax disregard

Any person who holds permission to enter or to stay in the United Kingdom under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme route can be disregarded for the purposes of Council Tax. This means that if you sponsor a Ukrainian refugee who holds permission to enter or stay in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and they live with you, you will not lose your Council Tax discount or exemption.

If you claim the 25% sole occupancy discount and you then share your home with one or more Ukrainian refugees, you will continue to receive a 25% discount because Ukrainian refugees will be disregarded for the purposes of Council Tax.

If you are claiming a Council Tax exemption because the occupiers of your property are either students, under 18 or are severely mentally impaired, and you then share your home with one or more Ukrainian refugees, you will continue to receive the exemption. Where an exempt empty property becomes occupied by Ukrainian refuges, the Council Tax exemption will continue in most cases.  

Ukrainian refugees who hold permission to enter or to stay in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and who live in their own property (not with a sponsor) can claim a 50% discount available if the property is occupied only by Ukrainian refugees. In this case, the Council Tax bill will be issued in the name of the occupiers. 

Eligibility

Ukrainian refugees who hold permission to enter or to stay in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are eligible under this scheme.

How to apply for Council Tax disregard

In all cases we will need the full names of the Ukrainian refugees, the date their tenancy began, the date they moved in and a copy of any documentation you have that confirms permission to enter or to stay in the United Kingdom granted under the Governments Homes for Ukraine Scheme. This information should be sent by email directly to the Council Tax team at revenues@uttlesford.gov.uk
 

Interested - find out more

For more information, please get in touch with our Communities Team at communityresponse@uttlesford.gov.uk

Applying to become a sponsor

► Get more information about the scheme and record your interest in becoming a sponsor on GOV.UK

► Read the Q&As about the scheme

► Information for sponsors welcoming a Ukrainian person or family on essex.gov.uk