Housing advice

What assistance is available from the Council?

The Housing Options team is able to give you information and advice regarding your legal rights and provide free and impartial advice and assistance on a wide range of housing issues.

Housing Options drop-in sessions are available, usually without an appointment, at the following times:

Monday:        9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Tuesday:       9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Friday:           9.30 am - 1pm
                      1pm - 4pm (by appointment only)

If your situation is an emergency and you are faced with homelessness we will try to ensure that a Housing Options Officer is available to see you, at the advertised times. Housing Options can also be contacted during working hours on 01483 743834.

Back to top

What advice is available?

Everyone has the right to information and advice that can help them find a home. The amount of help and advice given will depend on your own personal circumstances.

 You may find it helpful to come in and see a Housing Options Officer if:

  • you are living in privately rented accommodation and your landlord is asking you to leave
  • you are living with family/friends and are being asked to leave
  • you have become, or think that you are likely to become homeless
  • you are experiencing domestic abuse
  • you are experiencing harassment/illegal eviction and want to find out what your rights and options are
  • you are having difficulties paying your mortgage or rent
  • you would like information regarding accessing privately rented accommodation
  • you are a local authority housing or Housing Association tenant who wishes to move and require information on relocation schemes.

You may be referred to a specialist elsewhere, such as a solicitor, for more detailed advice.

If you would like information on how to apply to the Housing Register please see our  Housing Register pages.

Back to top

What are my rights?

Anyone who needs housing advice or is threatened with the loss of their home can approach the Council for assistance. The type of help offered will depend on each household's circumstances. Everyone is entitled to advice and information that may help them remain in their home or secure alternative accommodation.

When you come to see the Housing Options team please bring with you any of the following documents which are relevant to your circumstance:

  • court papers
  • tenancy agreement
  • proof of identity of each member of the household
  • proof of pregnancy
  • marriage certificate/divorce papers
  • proof of income
  • completion statement from the sale of property.

The information you provide will be used to decide what action can be taken to assist you or prevent your possible homelessness.

Back to top

Where can I go for help if I am homeless or about to become homeless?

If you think you may be at risk of losing your home you should seek help from the Council's Housing Options team as soon as you can. It may be possible, with the right advice when the problems first begin, that the loss of your home can be avoided.

You will be considered to be threatened with homelessness if you are going to lose the right to stay in your home within 28 days (e.g. if you have a possession order from the court asking you to leave your home).

You will be considered in priority need if:

  • you have dependent children who live with you on a permanent basis
  • you or a member of your household is pregnant
  • you or a member of your household are vulnerable
  • you are unable to stay in your present home because of a fire or flood
  • you are fleeing from domestic abuse 
  • you are 16 or 17 years old
  • you are between 18 and 21 years old and are leaving care
  • you are vulnerable as a result of being looked after, accommodated or fostered
  • you are vulnerable as a result of being in the armed forces
  • you are vulnerable as a result of being in prison
  • you are vulnerable as a result of no longer living in a home where there was violence or the threat of violence.

If the Council finds that you did something that led to the loss of your home or did not do something to stop you losing your home you may be considered intentionally homeless (this may not be the home you have just lost). For example:

  • leaving your home before you legally had to
  • not paying your rent or mortgage even though your income could cover it
  • did not follow advice given to you by a qualified advisor
  • did not follow advice given to you by the Council to help you find other accommodation.

If you are intentionally homeless the Council may only offer you accommodation for a reasonable time, often 28 days. This is so that you have time to find another place to live. You will still be offered advice and information to find a new home.

Alternatively, the Housing Options team will work with you to find somewhere to live until an offer of accommodation can be made through the Housing Register.

If you would like to speak to someone about your impending homelessness, please contact Housing Options on 01483 743834.

If you become homeless out of hours (e.g. in the evening or early in the morning) you can contact the Social Services Emergency Duty Team who can give you help and advice on housing matters.

They can be contacted at:

  • Social Services Emergency Duty Team
    PO Box 473
    Guildford
    Surrey

    GU1 1YS

       Telephone: 01483 517898

If we cannot help you to find somewhere to live, you could try contacting local estate and lettings agents who may be able to help you find a place to rent privately.

If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances with a Housing Options Officer, please contact us for help and advice on:

  • budgeting and rent or mortgage arrears                           
  • claiming benefits or providing referrals to in-house advice
  • tackling illegal evictions                                      
  • the housing options available to you, for both Council housing and privately rented housing
  • other sources of information and advice, e.g. referrals to voluntary and statutory organisations
  • hostels, B&B accommodation and other forms of temporary accommodation both within and outside the Borough
  • disrepair
  • family consultation.  

                                                 

Back to top

I am fleeing domestic abuse, who can help me?

If you are in immediate danger phone 999 straight away.

Remember you are not to blame and that you are not alone.

For more information about domestic abuse and who can help, please see our domestic abuse pages.

Back to top

I have been forced to leave my home, where can I go for advice?

If you are having problems or think you may lose your home, seek advice straight away from the Council's Housing Options team. It may be possible with the right advice to prevent you losing your home. The advice you may be given, could be:

  • mortgage or rent arrears advice
  • money and benefit advice
  • tenancy rights
  • family consultation.

You may also be referred to a specialist, e.g. a solicitor for more detailed advice.

Back to top

I am sleeping rough and need a bed for the night, where can I stay?

  There are many hostels and B&Bs that may be able to house you. If you have not already done so, you could visit the Council and speak to the Housing Options team and see if we can help you.

See Where can I go for help if I am homeless or about to become homeless? for more information about the homelessness process.

Back to top

I am homeless and under 25 years of age, who can help me?

If you are living with family, relatives or a friend, you may be offered family consultation to help you resolve any problems between you.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation and find out what help and advice we can give you.

Back to top

I am homeless and have a physical or learning disability, sensory impairment or mental health problem, who can help me?

The Council may have a duty to house you.

You will be asked to fill in an application form so that any support needs you may have can be assessed and the most suitable accommodation found for you. For more details see the information about the Supported Living Accommodation Panel.

Back to top

I have moved into temporary accommodation and need help buying furniture, who can help me?

The Woking Community Furniture Project can help with low cost or free furniture and electrical goods. You must be referred to them by the Council, which will list the items of furniture you need. There is a small delivery charge and a charge for electrical goods that have been safety checked.

Back to top

I am homeless and a single person, where can I get help?

The Council may have a duty to house you if you meet the criteria set out in Where can I go for help if I am homeless or about to become homeless?

Your first step towards finding a home, if the Council cannot help you, is to look through the local papers and in shop windows. Some supermarkets and newsagents have boards advertising places to let. You could even try placing your own advert.

The Council publishes a list of estate and lettings agents that may be able to help you. However, some estate agents are unwilling to accept applicants who receive benefits. A comprehensive list of estate agents can also be found in the Yellow Pages and Thompson Local Directory and are available in most  libraries.                                                 

                                      

You should be aware that you will be asked for:                 

  • a deposit
  • up to six weeks rent in advance, although some landlords may be happy to negotiate this with you
  • a fee, if you rent through an estate agency (lettings agency). They can only charge a fee if they find you somewhere to live and you agree to move in
  • references from your bank or previous landlord.

If you have a low income or are claiming benefits you may be able to get help from the Council with paying your rent . A rent officer will check any accommodation a Housing Benefit claimant wishes to move into. This is to check a reasonable amount of rent is being charged. If the rent is thought to be too high, Housing Benefit may not cover all of the rent and you may have to pay the extra rent yourself.

Alternatively, you can try the hostels or B&B pages.

Back to top

Contact Us

If you would like to speak with someone about your housing options, please contact a Housing Options Officer on 01483 743834 or email housingoptions.enquiries@woking.gov.uk