Print Article
BookMark Article
10 newest articles RSS
Threatened With Homelessness?
Author : Johansen Marry
Submitted : 2011-11-09 Word Count : 870 Popularity: Not Rated
Tags: free tenancy agreement
If you are threatened with or made homeless, call into the Housing and Cash Advice Centre as soon as possible. You will be given recommendation on what your rights are and where to search out help. You may have a right to use to the Council's Homelessness group primarily based at the Guildhall. Ask on the reception to speak to the person who deals with homelessness.
In case you are 16 or 17 years outdated and have been in social services care up to now the Leaving Care Crew of Social Companies will probably still have a duty to supply accommodation. If you're sixteen or 17 years old and have never been in Social Providers care, or you might be 18, 19 or 20 and were in Social Companies care before changing into 18 you should have a priority want for emergency Council housing. Converse to employees on the Housing & Money Advice Centre or apply to the Homeless Group on the Guildhall
THE HOUSING & MONEY ADVICE CENTRE
The Housing & Money Advice Centre offers a free and confidential service to the residents of Northampton on housing and debt issues.
Forms of assist out there on the Centre for those who are homeless or those threatened with homelessness are : -
? Lodging lists giving details of privately rented accommodation in and across the Northampton area. ? Use of a telephone to contact landlords for accommodation. ? Info and leaflets on most benefits.
Workers can be found to discuss your state of affairs and offer advice on a variety of issues equivalent to: ? Discovering and maintaining accommodation. ? Renting within the private sector ? Benefits and budgeting advice.
Help is given with completing housing profit and housing software forms.
HOUSING ADVICE SERVICE
Taking a look at your housing choices and advising the best transfer in the quick, medium and lengthy term. Helping forestall homelessness by advising and supporting you, together with attending Court and speaking with other agencies.
TENANCY RELATIONS SERVICE
Offers advice and help to tenants within the personal sector who're experiencing difficulties and aims to prevent illegal evictions and harassment by landlords.
REMEMBER: IF THE LANDLORD ASKS YOU TO LEAVE OR GIVES A NOTICE OR LETTER SAYING YOU MUST LEAVE, GET ADVICE STRAIGHT AWAY.
DEBT COUNSELLING SERVICE
Gives recommendation and help on cash and debt points relevant to you and your home. These embrace:
Lease - mortgage - council tax - hire purchase - electricity - gasoline - water - banks - catalogues - bank cards - finance - loans - bailiffs - court docket fines - county court docket judgements - repossessions.
HOUSING OPTIONS
Once you have found short-term accommodation, you will have to contemplate your future housing option. You may contemplate
LODGINGS
That is where you reside in somebody's home and pay them an inclusive amount for accommodation and a few meals or where you live in a resort or guest house. Bear in mind housing benefit doesn't cover meals or different companies
SHARED HOUSE / FLAT
Any such accommodation is accessible to let from private landlords. You could possibly get together with one or more friends and lease a home collectively sharing the living room kitchen and bathroom. It can be troublesome sharing with folks you have no idea, so ensure you feel comfortable with the other occupants earlier than you conform to share. The rents may be high as landlords can ask a 'market hire' and lettings are often on quick term. Never signal an settlement without looking for recommendation first.
If you're going to claim housing profit remember it could be restricted in case you are paying above the market rent.
Workers at Housing and Cash Advice Centres can help you resolve whether you can afford the sort of accommodation and whether or not a particular bed-sit affords you worth for money.
LIVE IN ACCOMMODATION
Some kinds of employment supply lodging, corresponding to lodge work, if you are a pupil, the college may have accommodation
COUNCIL HOUSING
Anyone over sixteen can apply to be housed by the council. Application forms can be found from all Borough Council housing offices. Completed varieties might be returned to any workplace
After getting made an application don't forget to inform the Council of any modifications in your circumstances, particularly should you change address.
Contact Northampton Borough Council on 01604 837890 or the Housing and Cash Advice Centre for data and advice on the housing register.
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS (REGISTERED SOCIAL LANDLORDS)
These are organisations which own and hire flats, homes and bungalows. Some concentrate on housing for young single people. A list of local Housing Associations is out there from the Housing and Money Advice Centre. Most vacancies with Housing Associations are given to folks on the Council's waiting list.
WHERE TO LOOK AND WHAT TO CHECK OUT
? Discuss to pals ? Look within the local papers and shop windows for property to rent ads. ? Northampton Borough Council has a ready list, attempt to register on this. The lodging may be cheaper than private rented however you will probably have to attend a while for council accommodation. This also applies to Housing Associations. ? In case you are a student, contact your Welfare or Lodging Officer or strategy your pupil union representative ? The Housing & Money Recommendation Centre has accommodation lists. Landlords advertise there because it prices them nothing and landlords love free property advertising
In case you are offered someplace to reside, do not be afraid to ask the landlord a variety of questions, particularly earlier than signing an agreement - try and have a very good have a look at the place.
REMEMBER - non-public landlords nearly always require rent upfront and a damage deposit
Questions you need to ask the owner
? You should ask for a written contract and seek recommendation before you signal it ? Who pays the electrical and water charges? ? Does the owner stay on the premises? This can affect your rights ? Who is your landlord and whereas does he/she stay? Landlords are required to by law to give you this info ? Is there a list? If not make your personal and provides a copy to the landlord. List every part in the rooms and what situation it's in. The inventory must be signed by you and the landlord. ? Discover out exactly what the lease is, what it's a must to pay and what it is for. ? Ask for a rent ebook and receipts for any money you pay to the landlord or agent. In case your rent is due weekly, the owner should by regulation offer you a lease book. ? Ask to see the Fuel Security certificates for any gasoline home equipment i.e. gas fireplace, heating
Contact the Housing and Money Advice Centre you probably have a problem with this
NEVER SIGN A TENANCY AGREEMENT UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING. IF IN DOUBT GET PROPER ADVICE
PROVISIONS FOR THE UNDER 18'S
COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM
The Group Assist Team is a part of the Resources Team. They provide a service to young people between the ages of 16 and 17 They're based at 196 Kettering Road. They assist find accommodation and provides recommendation on many facets of younger peoples lives i.e. health, schooling, emotional and behavioural improvement, identification, family and social relationships, self - care expertise or are capable of signpost to different companies
For an appointment contact 01604 620343 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30 pm
MONEY MATTERS
If you happen to unemployed, are sick or on a low earnings you might be entitled to say benefits. These might include Earnings Assist, Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and many others
If cash is tight you may benefit from budgeting recommendation from a debt counsellor at the Housing & Money Recommendation Centre.
Most benefits are paid weekly or fortnightly in arrears and in some circumstances a Crisis Loan will be thought-about you probably have no means to help your self until your first profit fee is due. That is discretionary interest free fee that will have to be repaid via deductions from your benefit
A Budgeting Loan may be thought of when Income Support and Income Based mostly Jobseekers Allowance have been in fee for 26 weeks. Budgeting Loans will be allowed for home items and lease in advance. Like a Crisis Loan, a Budgeting Mortgage is a discretionary curiosity free cost that will have to be repaid through deductions from your profit
To enquire about advantages and for recommendation on how to make a claim contact the Job Centre on the following deal with:
Jobcentre plus Frances House 21 Decrease Mounts Northampton NN1 3LY
Telephone 01604 446100
Profit Enquiry Line 0845 6004258 Social Fund Line 01900 221379
EMPLOYMENT
It is tough to seek out work if your are homeless. Casual work could also be easier to find however look for permanent rather than temporary work
Most employers count on new workers to work no less than every week earlier than paying any wages and you won't always discover work that will pay enough to cover the rent. You may still be entitled to different benefits - Housing & Money Recommendation staff can advise you of this.
Jobcentres additionally present info, recommendation and various leaflets which you may discover useful in your seek for employment
HOUSING BENEFIT
Many people not working or on a low earnings can claim assist with their lease and will apply to:
Northampton Borough Council Profit Companies The Guildhall Northampton NN1 1DE
Phone 01604 837700
Software types are available from the tackle above. When you claim Earnings Support or Job Seekers Allowance it is best to complete the enclosed housing profit (NHB1) and council tax benefit types and hand them to the DWP. Nevertheless, you will nonetheless need to complete the Council's Housing Profit Form.
PLEASE NOTE
You need to complete a Pre - Tenancy Willpower before you sign a tenancy settlement with a non-public landlord.
This can inform you if Housing Benefit will cowl all the hire the landlord is charging before you commit your self and move in. Forms are available from Profit Providers and the Housing & Money Advice Centre.
Housing Profit doesn't cowl any costs included within the hire for meals, heating, hot water, lighting or cooking. You have to pay these from your different earnings / benefit.
When you move into your new accommodation full a housing benefit type instantly and return it to the Housing Benefit Section. Do not worry for those who can't provide all of the proof and knowledge required on the format as soon as - you'll be able to send it in later when you delay returning the form you might lose benefit, and get into lease arrears.
SINGLE CLAIMANTS UNDER 25
Most single individuals underneath 25 who reside on their very own in self contained privately rented accommodation will not be able to get the total amount of lease paid by Housing Profit
The Benefit will probably be primarily based on the lower end of a single room fee assessed by the Lease Officer Service. This is a market primarily based valuation for a single room with shared toilet and kitchen facilities and this would be the maximum quantity of lease that can be used in calculating new claims
PAYMENT OF HOUSING BENEFIT IN ARREARS
All new claims and adjustments of tackle claims for privately rented and Housing Affiliation properties now have their Housing Profit paid in arrears
PRIVATE RENTING
Landlords who let any form of property normally take a DEPOSIT from the tenants. This is saved to cover any costs the landlords could have if the tenant has triggered any injury to the to the furnishings or fittings. There are no advantages available that will help you pay a landlord any deposit money, try to negotiate. Sometimes it's worth, if possible, paying the deposit in instalments.
Even if a landlord does not count on a deposit the possibilities are he / she's going to need RENT IN ADVANCE. The amount can differ, and once more don't be afraid to negotiate .
In case you are in want of hire upfront as a result of you have got nowhere to stay you possibly can apply to the DWP for a loan. The Housing & Money Advice Centre might also be capable to assist.
ADVICE & HELP
It is important to bear in mind you might be never alone. There are many kinds of advice out there in Northampton. The Library or telephone book are good places to seek out out what is offered locally. The following are only a few places the place you can get assist and advice.
SHELTERLINE
8.00 am - 12 midnight phone 0808 800 444
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU 72A St Giles Avenue Northampton tel 0870 120 2433
SAMARITANS 2 St. Michaels Avenue Northampton tel 01604 637637 ( Accessible 24 hours )
THE LOWDOWN ( Advice & Counselling 16 - 25 year olds ) 3 Kingswell Street Northampton tel 01604 622223
NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL The Guildhall St Giles Square Northampton tel 01604 837837
RELATE Hazelwood Highway Northampton tel 01604634400
WELFARE RIGHTS ADVICE SERVICE 3 / 7 Hazelwood Road Northampton tel 01604636112
THE JESUS CENTRE 2 Lower Mounts Northampton tel 0871 8712121
NORTHAMPTON GAY & LESBIAN ADVICE CENTRE tel 01604 528986
LONE PARENT HELPLINE tel 0800 018 5026
SUNFLOWER CENTRE tel 01604 233684
NATION DEBTLINE tel 0808 8084000
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TEL 01604236236
Author's Resource Box
If you want extra info regarding free tenancy agreement, swing by Denise Dewglies website this minute.