Temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation is somewhere to live while you look for longer term housing.
There are very clear legal rules about who councils must help to find temporary accommodation and when we must do this. You can read more about temporary accommodation on the Shelter UK website.
Being in temporary accommodation does not give you more priority for longer term housing than if you were able to stay in your current accommodation for longer, or to stay with family or friends.
If there is somewhere that you could stay, even in the short term, you should consider that option and discuss this with your housing officer. We can speak to your landlord or family to explain the situation to them. Even if they can only let you stay for a short while, this may be a better solution for you.
If you are homeless or worried about losing your home, contact our Housing Options Team on 0300 126 7000.
If we are already supporting you to deal with your housing, please contact your housing officer if your situation has become more urgent.
Types of temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation we use includes houses, flats and bed and breakfast type accommodation, throughout West Northants. In some cases, we may need to use accommodation outside of the West Northants area.
We try to provide self contained accommodation, but in some cases you may have to share kitchen and bathroom facilities with other households.
Our housing team cannot guarantee that you will be placed close to work, schools or support networks. We will do our best to find you accommodation in the general area.
What you must do while in temporary accommodation
You are likely to have to pay a contribution towards your temporary accommodation. We will tell you the amount you have to pay.
We will help you to complete your housing benefit forms if you are entitled to claim. You need to do this immediately.
You may have to pay a service charge and you will need to pay utility bills, council tax. We will tell you in writing how much this will be.
You must pay for your own TV licence, if you watch live TV.
Provide information to help with your homeless application
You must give your housing officer all the information they ask for, so they can make a decision on your homeless application.
This may include:
- your identity documents
- bank statements
- relevant medical information
- information about why you have lost your home
If you don’t have these, or need help to provide them, tell your housing officer as soon as possible.
Look for a permanent home
While you stay in temporary accommodation it is important that you work with your Housing Options Officer to find a suitable permanent home.
There is a high demand for Council and housing association homes (social housing). This means it can take a long time to get rehoused into social housing. You can find information about applying for a longer term council or housing association home.
If you do want to apply for a longer term council or housing association home, you must also complete a housing register application form. This is separate from and in addition to your homeless application.
If you do not apply, you will not be able to apply for a longer term council or housing association home. If you need help with this, please tell your housing officer as soon as possible.
Due to the high demand for social housing we would recommend that you also look at all other options to find a home longer term home.
Keep to the rules of the accommodation
When you move in, your Housing Officer will explain the rules that apply to your temporary accommodation. These may relate to your behaviour, visitors and payment of rent.
If you fail to follow these rules, you could risk being evicted from the temporary accommodation, which may affect any future housing duties we have to you.
You can be evicted from temporary accommodation for:
- breaking accommodation rules or the terms of your agreement, for example, if you cause nuisance to neighbours or have visitors to stay if the agreement says that you cannot
- not paying the rent, or paying it late on a regular basis
- not staying at the accommodation as your main address
- refusing an offer of suitable, more permanent accommodation
Furniture and belongings
You probably won’t be able to take all of your belongings into temporary accommodation, so you will need to arrange for them to be stored.
Some temporary accommodation is fully furnished, some is partly furnished and some is unfurnished. If you need help with furniture or storage, speak to your housing officer.
Pets
We are not able to accommodate pets in most of our temporary accommodation. You may need to arrange for your pets to be looked after by friends, family or an animal charity.
If you are having difficulties with this, please speak to your housing officer.
What happens next?
We must make a decision on your homeless application before we decide whether we have a legal duty to house you in the longer term.
If we decide we do have a duty to house you, this could be in either private rented accommodation or a council or housing association home. You must complete a housing register application to be considered for council or housing association housing.
Offers of a permanent home could be anywhere within West Northants, but must be suitable and affordable, according to your circumstances.
If we decide that we do not have a duty to house you in the long term, you will have to leave the temporary accommodation and make your own arrangements. We will give you suitable notice to leave the temporary accommodation and advice and assistance to find your own accommodation.
Last updated 28 November 2024