Documents
Fact Sheets
Q I am going to be homelessness soon
Q Is it within the next 56 days
Yes
If you are at risk of homelessness within the next 56 days, you should contact the Housing Options Team immediately on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I have been discharged from hospital and have nowhere to go
Persons being discharged from hospital to no fixed abode may have a priority need under homelessness legislation. You are strongly advised to contact the Council immediately on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I have been discharged from the armed forced and have nowhere to go
People leaving the Armed Forces have a priority need under homelessness legislation provided they can show a local connection to the area they are applying to. A local connection is established by previous residence (usually residing within the county for at least 6 of the last 12 months, or for 3 of last 5 years), close family resident within the county for at least five years, employment within the county, or other reasons related to personal safety. If you feel you meet the criteria, it is strongly advised that you contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 to discuss the options available to you. If you are leaving the Armed Forces with no local connection to Monmouthshire but can establish a local connection to another area, you may wish to contact that Local Authority direct.
Q My relationship with my spouse/partner has broken down
If you have left your home due to a relationship breakdown, please be aware of any rights of occupation you may still have. If you are married, you have a right to occupy the marital home, regardless of who owns it or whose name is on the tenancy agreement. Your spouse does not have the right to exclude you unless legal steps have been taken. If you are a tenant and your name is on the tenancy agreement, then you retain the right to live in that accommodation. Your partner cannot exclude you. In these instances, unless it is unreasonable to remain, it is possible that you would not be considered to be homeless. You are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options team 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I have lost my accommodation tied to my job.
If you have lost accommodation tied to your job you may have a priority need under homelessness legislation. You are strongly advised to contact the Council immediately on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs
Q My property is unfit for habitation due to fire, flood, natural disaster
Housesholds who have been forced to leave home due to fire, flood or other natural disaster normally have a priority need under homelessness legislation. You are strongly advised to contact the Council immediately on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs. However, there may also be assistance available from other sources: Homeowners should contact their insurance providers to establish what responsibilities they are owed. Social Housing tenants should contact their Housing Association who may have a duty to re-house or provide emergency accommodation. Private tenants should contact their landlord or letting agency as there may be duties which can be covered by the landlord’s insurance.
Q My property has been deemed unfit by Environmental Health
It is difficult to give precise advice regarding your situation as more information is needed.
As a matter of urgency you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I have been excluded from my home by police/court
It is difficult to give precise advice regarding your situation as more information is needed.
As a matter of urgency you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I usually live in a moveable home (eg caravan, barge) but have no place I can moor it.
It is difficult to give precise advice regarding your situation as more information is needed.
As a matter of urgency you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Q I am experiencing financial difficulties
Many people find it difficult to pay their rent or mortgage or other debts. It is important to take action as soon as possible before the problem gets out of hand. Housing Options can refer you to debt advice if your debts are affecting your housing and there is also a list of organisations that may be able to help you. If you do not pay your rent or mortgage your landlord or lender can take legal action against you to evict you or repossess your property, even if you fail to pay for a couple of weeks. If you have problems meeting your payments NEVER ignore it – the problem will not go away. It is important that you get advice as early as possible. Talk to your lender or landlord. By keeping them informed they will know what is happening and may be able to help you. If you feel you would benefit from financial support, please contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs. If you are already at risk of losing your home you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
If you are having problems managing debt there are a number of agencies listed below that offer a free debt advice service. It is important that rental payments are prioritised ahead of other debts as you could be at risk of losing your home. If you are already at risk of losing your home, as a matter of urgency, you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Advice can also be obtained from:
- National Debt Line https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
- Money Advice Service https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
- Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
- Advice Now http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/help-directory
Q My shorthold tenancy is due to end
Usually the quickest way for people to solve their housing problem is to rent a suitable property through the private rented sector. Privately renting may offer you the opportunity to find a suitable home that will meet your housing needs more quickly. If you are on a low income you may be entitled to claim housing benefit or universal credit housing costs. You will need to check what the local housing allowance rates are in your area. This is the maximum amount of housing benefit or universal housing costs that you will be paid, subject to eligibility, for you or your family to rent a home. For more information or to make a housing benefit claim, please click here http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/housing-benefitor contact a member of the new claims team on 0800 028 2569. To calculate your universal credit housing cost please visit here https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit. Many landlords and letting agents require a bond from tenants to cover the cost of any damage or unpaid rent. The amount of bond is usually equivalent to one months rent although this can vary. If you are unable to raise your own bond, there may be schemes that can assist you. Monmouthshire County Council currently work in partnership with Seren Living to provide bond assistance to low income households, households who are homeless or threatened with homeless and households struggling with unaffordable accommodation due to welfare reform. For more information on whether you would be eligible for assistance with a bond, please contact Seren Living on 01633 255092.
REMEMBER if you pay a cash bond directly to a landlord or lettings agent, it must be registered with one of the Governments authorised tenancy deposit schemes. You can look for private rented accommodation by registering with Letting Agents and we strongly advise you to visit them in person. As well as signing up with Letting Agents you can also search on line and in local newspapers. There are many useful websites on the internet and some examples are listed below. Websites for finding privately rented accommodation include: ·
- Right Move http://www.rightmove.co.uk
- Zoopla http://www.zoopla.co.uk
- Spare Room http://www.spareroom.co.uk
- Prime Location http://www.primelocation.com
To find out more about your rights as a private tenant and the law related to this type of accommodation, clickhere https://sheltercymru.org.uk/
Q I am fleeing domestic abuse, harrassment
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or harassment of any form you may wish to contact the agencies below for confidential advice and support. If you are being threatened or harassed you should contact your local police who take domestic violence very seriously, and have dedicated teams offering support and advice to those suffering such abuse and, if you are a tenant in a social rented property, you should speak to your landlord for assistance. In an emergency and immediate danger ring the Police on 999. Where to find help: If you have left home due to violence or abuse then you are likely to have a priority need under homelessness legislation. You are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options team on 01633 644644.
Welsh Women’s Aid offers support and advice (24 hours) and can offer refuge if appropriate and available. They can be contacted on 0808 8010 800 Women’s Aid on: 0808 200 0247 (outside of Wales)
Monmouthshire’s Multi-Agency Centre (The MAC): 01873 733590 provides free and confidential advice, drop in service in office hours, as well as referrals to Cyfannol Women’s Aid services and tenancy support through MODAS (Monmouthshire Outreach Domestic Abuse Service).
The Dyn Project offers advice and support to men suffering domestic abuse / violence. The Dyn Project can be contacted on: 0808 801 0321
Q I have been evicted from my accommodation
It is difficult to give precise advice regarding your situation as more information is needed.
As a matter of urgency you are strongly advised to contact the Housing Options Team on 01633 644644 or visit one of the Community Hubs.
Phone number: 01633 644 644 · Email address: housingoptions@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8.45 – 5.00pm, Friday 8.45 – 4.30pm
Emergency out of hours number: 01633 644 644