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Information about the law and your rights

6 Losing your Home

Download Losing your Home (PDF File, 284kb)

1. Introduction

2. Will the council find me somewhere to live?

3. Does it matter how I become homeless?

4. What if the council offers me somewhere unsuitable?

If you think the temporary or permanent accommodation that the council offers you is unsuitable, you can ask for a review of the decision. Accommodation might be unsuitable if, for example:

it is too far from your job or from a hospital or other service that you use regularly;
it would place you at risk of violence;
there are stairs that you cannot manage because of your health;
it is too small for the number of people in your household; or
the rent is so high that you can not afford other basic necessities.

The council will usually make you only one offer of suitable accommodation, so you must think carefully and get advice before refusing to move in. Even after moving in you can still ask for a review as to whether it is suitable, within 21 days of the council's offer. This is often the best course of action if you think the house or flat is unsuitable, because, if the review does not agree with you, you will still have a roof over your head. An advice centre may be able to help you show the council that the accommodation isn't suitable (See 'Further help' for details).

5. What can I do if I disagree with the council´s decision?

6. Where can I go if I need somewhere to stay urgently?

7. What if my landlord wants to evict me?

8. What can I do if my landlord is harassing me?

9. Further help

10 About this leaflet