Health and Housing Service

Housing Options Advice Service

www.lancaster.gov.uk/housing 1 Homeless prevention Housing options in the Lancaster district Lancaster City Council’s Housing Advice • Sanctuary Scheme Lancaster City Council is committed to helping you find safe team provides a free and confidential (Domestic Violence Support) advice service. and secure accommodation that is the right choice for you. • Haven Scheme Support for victims The aim of this booklet is to help people in need of housing The majority of homelessness is suffering from Anti-social behaviour preventable and we aim to act as early • Access to specialist supported accommodation in the Lancaster district – Lancaster, as possible before the problem worsens. accommodation and social lettings We will work with you and liaise with all Morecambe, Carnforth and the surrounding rural areas. agency parties concerned to help resolve any Anyone aged 16 or over who wishes to properties according to housing need, issues such as rent arrears, disrepair and • Support with finding accommodation apply for social rented properties within giving due consideration to individual any associated tenancy problems. We • Advice to homeless 16/17 year olds the Lancaster district can apply to join circumstances. offer a personal service with options and the housing register and will be advised Because it is not possible to offer advice to suit your needs. accordingly of all the options available. accommodation to the majority of people The earlier you let us know about How we can help However as there is a shortage of applying for properties each year, we your housing problems the better, as properties within the district and a have brought together a wide range of We offer a specialist casework service it allows us time to intervene early huge demand for accommodation, housing options for you to explore. along with advice and assistance with: and offer the necessary advice and there are lengthy waiting lists. Both assistance to help you resolve the Our Housing Advice team aim to prevent • Notice to vacate and possession orders the council and private registered issues. homelessness and our Housing Standards issued by landlords or lenders providers of social housing (previously team aim to improve housing conditions Our designated prevention officers called housing associations) allocate • Legal rights and responsibilities within the private sector. will, upon request, visit you at home • Repair/Disrepair obligations and can offer practical advice for all • Ensuring that rent increases are residents, particularly those whose completed correctly tenancies are at risk of failing. For further details call: 01524 582257 • Rent arrears and rent account management • Advice on Rent deposits • Mediation services • Harassment and unlawful eviction • Tenancy housing floating support • Access to private rented property • Shared Ownership • Assistance to homeowners with mortgage issues and referrals to Citizens Advice Bureau

Photo by Steve Pendril • Access to shared accommodation 2 3 Tenancy Support • Life skills Clients experiencing problems with • Benefit advice their tenancy can obtain support and • Social and person issues assistance from DISC, a charity that helps people to make positive changes • Employment and training advice to their lives and achieve their goals. Access to local services DISC provides a high quality support service which can help you maintain your All support officers are fully trained and tenancy and live independently. will work in a professional manner to help you move on to independent living. For You can either refer yourself to this further details call 0800 107 5558 service by emailing compass@disc-vol. org.uk or ask another agency to complete the referral form on your behalf. A Place to Live – Social Lettings Within the first weeks of registration an officer will contact you to discuss your Lancaster City Council has entered into needs and together you will agree your partnership to fund the development personal support plan and set achievable of a Social Letting agency with A Place goals. The officer will visit you regularly at to Live. The purpose of the scheme is to pre-arranged appointments and you will create more opportunities for tenants be offered continued support to help you registered with the council to secure achieve those agreed goals. accommodation in private rented properties. You will normally work with the same support worker for the time that support What is A Place to Live? is provided. The support is aimed at ‘A Place to Live’ has been set-up to increasing independence, and the help people in the Lancaster district in support worker will help with all your housing need access private tenancies. housing/social needs and encourage you Through this we aim to prevent people to help yourself wherever possible. You becoming homeless or moving into will be involved in all decisions regarding temporary accommodation, by providing your support needs and wherever possible a sustainable place to live; we aim to you will be expected to act upon the break the cycle of transient living, and suggestions made by the support worker. help people feel more stable in their Support provided: accommodation. • Tenancy advice Stable permanent accommodation also helps tackle numerous other issues • Advice, advocacy and liaison in such as unemployment and anti-social securing accommodation behaviour. The Housing Options Team • Debt problems including rent arrears will assess all potential tenants and refer clients to us. 4 5 Who is Methodist Action North Private Rented accommodation • Notice boards If an agency asks for money in advance, West? Notices are often placed in you are advised to seek advice before If you need somewhere to live and you are newsagent’s windows and on other making any payment. You will be required Methodist Action North West is a well- not in priority need, you are unlikely to be public noticeboards to advertise flats to provide references. The agency respected charity that provides support, housed via the council’s housing register. or rooms at the cheaper end of the may charge for drawing up a tenancy assistance and advice to people in Private rented accommodation will be market. Try to visit the area you are agreement and an inventory of the housing need. The charity has operated one of your main options. interested in as regularly as possible contents, fixtures and fittings. You may in Preston for a number of years and is Private rented accommodation within the be asked to pay a returnable deposit and developing and expanding its services • Students’ Unions or Colleges Lancaster district can be difficult to find one month’s rent in advance – this is across the North West. If you are a student your college may quite normal. and is often expensive, and allocated on a be able to help you find somewhere to As a non-for-profit charity, any profit that short-term basis only. live You can find information about how to is made is channelled back into improving go about renting or buying a home from the quality and delivery of services. You can find accommodation in the • Accommodation or Letting Agencies Lancaster City Council’s Housing Options Methodist Action – A Place to Live is a following ways: These agencies let and manage Service 01524 582257. Social Lettings Agency set up with the • Online accommodation which includes rooms, sole aim of helping people in housing There are numerous ways to find flats and houses on behalf of private need that often come up against barriers accommodation on-line landlords. Most agencies advertise in when following traditional housing the local and national press, however Ideal Choice Homes • Newspapers routes. it would be advisable to visit them in Ideal Choice Homes is the choice based All of the local and many national person and register with them. Finding For further information on how to access lettings scheme in the Lancaster district. newspapers advertise accommodation accommodation through an agency this service call 01525 582257. Ideal Choice Homes includes council to rent within the private rented can prove expensive as they often sector. Bear in mind that a lot of accommodation, rented accommodation If you are an existing expect rent in advance, usually with a from private registered providers of social people will be reading these, so it is deposit and an agency fee tenant contact advisable to buy a newspaper as early housing, private rented accommodation Methodist Action’s head office: as possible and act swiftly Be prepared to visit several agencies and shared ownership properties. Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, and view the different rooms, flats and Through Ideal Choice Homes, Lancaster Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0LS. tel. houses that they are offering. If you are City Council provides good quality 01772 751000 not working you must enquire whether housing advice to all applicants to enable they accept people who are in receipt of them to make informed decisions about benefits. You must also confirm the rent their housing options. Ideal Choice and type of accommodation available, Homes allows you to bid on which and the agency’s standard fee. properties interest you, and gives you a An agency can only charge you a greater say in where you live. fee for its services if you accept the Vacant properties are advertised on a accommodation it has secured for you. weekly basis at www.idealchoicehomes. The Accommodation Act (1953) states co.uk and in our newsletter which is that it is illegal for an agency to charge available from the Customer Service just for registering a person’s details or Centre at Lancaster or Morecambe Town supplying addresses of accommodation Hall. To be able to participate you need to people. to have an active application on the 6 Photo by Steve Pendril 7 Lancaster City Council housing register. have moved to somewhere cheaper, other How do I apply? Citizen’s Advice Bureau costs may have increased (for example The easiest way to apply is online, at You must apply to your local council, can assist with: travel costs to work or school), meaning www.idealchoicehomes.co.uk normally to the housing benefit • Rent arrears it is still difficult to pay the rest of your You must be over 16 years of age. office - 01524 582965. You will need rent. • Mortgage problems You will be given a banding based on your to provide evidence of your outgoings • Repairs in rented housing housing need, and provided with your What can I get it for? and details of any circumstances that cause you financial difficulty. Making a application number which will allow you You can apply for a discretionary housing • Discrimination in housing discretionary housing payment is not to bid for available properties. payment for many reasons, including if obligatory for the council. • Moving and improving your home you: You can bid for properties in a • Your money – your home number of ways: • have a shortfall between rent and housing benefit • Problems where you live • Online at: Citizens Advice Bureau www.idealchoicehomes.co.uk • need support to continue to live in For further details please visit - Citizens Advice Bureau give free, specially adapted accommodation www.citizensadvice.org.uk • By phone on 0845 505 8230 (24hr) confidential, impartial and independent • need help to pay rent in advance or a advice to help you solve problems. You can email the bureau at - • By text message on 07537 404370 deposit, especially if you are moving [email protected] Housing issues will always arise and • In person at Lancaster or Morecambe because the maximum housing benefit therefore you need to know your rights Telephone 01524 400400 Town Hall Customer Service Centre you can get has been reduced and responsibilities. If you have been asked to attend court To find out more visit: • need to pay rent arrears, if you have You could also find yourself threatened regarding mortgage arrears Citizens www.idealchoicehomes.co.uk not received housing benefit to pay with eviction if you can't cope with your Advice Bureau have a court desk at Contact us on 01524 582005 or email that rent mortgage payments. Lancaster County Court and can provide [email protected] advice and represent you if required. What can’t I get it for? The Citizens Advice Bureau can also give You can’t get a discretionary housing advice on handling problems with your Discretionary Housing payment for: landlord and help to avoid losing your home. Housing Disrepair Payments • service charges that are part of your rent but are not covered by the If you are having problems with the If you are receiving housing benefit or the housing benefit scheme, such as condition of your rented property, the housing costs element of universal credit heating, hot water, or water charges council’s Housing Standards team can and you still need help with paying the offer help and advice on issues such as: • making up for a reduction in housing rest of your rent or certain other housing • Fire safety costs, you can apply to the council for a or other benefits resulting from discretionary housing payment. an overpayment or a penalty • Overcrowding conditions Many people have a shortfall between • rent arrears if you have • Inadequate facilities already received housing the housing benefit they get and the rent • Dangerous fixtures they have to pay. If your landlord does benefit to pay that rent • Structural damage not reduce the rent, you must ensure that • council tax liability you pay the shortfall or you will build up • Disrepair rent arrears. You may find that even if you 8 9 Housing Standards enforcement officers Contact the Housing Standards Team Useful contacts are responsible for inspecting properties 01524 582000. For information on what Housing Options Team within the private rented sector. They you need to consider when renting email [email protected] 01524 582257 www.lancaster.gov.uk/housing target unfit properties, overcrowding and properties visit www.shelter.org.uk Out of Hours Emergencies (Homeless) 01524 67099 poor maintenance through education Lancaster and enforcement, which can include legal City Council Housing Standards 01524 582000 action under the Housing Act 2004. If you Home Improvement Agency Ideal Choice Homes 01524 582005 need any further information or advice Home Improvement Agency / Handyperson Service 01524 582257 If you are living in your own home and are please contact 01524 582000. Council Housing management / repair & maintenance 01524 582929 over 60 or disabled, you can get help with Our aim repairs, maintenance and adapting your Housing Benefits 01524 582965 Morecambe: Unit 6, Northgate, White Lund Industrial home to suit your needs. 0845 0530 009 To improve the poorest housing within Social Services Estate, Morecambe, LA3 3PA the private rented sector by tackling Lancaster City Council’s Home Lancaster: Storey House, White Cross Industrial Estate 0845 0530 009 issues that affect the health, safety and Improvement Agency offers a Lancaster, LA1 4XQ wellbeing of the families and individuals Handyperson service to do small jobs Services for the elderly who have least control over the standard around the home such as basic plumbing Lancashire Age UK 7-11 Chapel Street, Lancaster, LA1 1NZ 0300 303 1234 of their living accommodation. work, fixing door bells, locks, loose Altham Meadows, Bartholomew Rd, Morecambe LA4 4RR 01524 402610 shelves and moving beds and furniture. Alzheimer’s Society Housing Health and Safety Rating Piper Lifeline 24 hrs Emergency contact system for elderly residents 01524 67099 System We can also help you with: Services for young people Under the Housing Act 2004, councils can • Dealing with contractors, choosing a Young People’s Palatine Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster 01524 387600 serve notices to force landlords or their trustworthy builder, plumber or other Service managing agents to improve their rental contractor, getting estimates and YMCA Fleet Square, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 1EZ 01524 32737 properties. They will focus on health and supervising works Young Addaction www.adaction.org.uk 01524 428310 safety, energy efficiency and more. • Advice on home repairs and planning Other useful organisations for further help and advice your home for your future needs To achieve this aim the team will: Women’s Aid Freephone 24 hours www.womensaid.org.uk 0808 2000 247 • Finding ways to raise finance, increase Shelter Free housing advice helpline: Open 8am – 8pm Mon - Fri • Inspect privately rented properties 0808 800 4444 to ensure that they comply with the benefits, reduce energy costs and or 8am – 5pm Sat – Sun www.shelter.org.uk/advice relevant legislation make your home safe and secure. Money Advice Line www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk 0300 500 5000 National Debt Line www.nationaldebtline.co.uk 0808 808 4000 • Offer advice and assistance and liaise This is a free service provided by with landlords Lancaster City Council’s Home Child line www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111 Improvement Agency. Barnardo’s www.barnardos.org.uk 0208 550 8822 • Enforce regulations where necessary DISC www.compass.disc-vol.org.uk 01772 325320 For more information or to request a • Conduct awareness raising events such Empowerment www.blackpooladvocacy.co.uk 01524 389637 home visit contact us on email as the Landlords’ Forum [email protected] Probation www.clcrc.co.uk 01524 63537 • Licence houses in multiple occupation or 01524 582257. Inspire www.cri.org.uk/inspire_northlancs 08458 941 745 to ensure standards are met, improved Police www.askthepolice.co.uk 101 and maintained LDHAS www.ldhas.org.uk 01524 842008 Urgent Care & Needs • Register properties onto the www.lancashire.gov.uk 0300 123 6735 Support Scheme 10 Accreditation Scheme 11 Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm Morecambe Town Hall Marine Road Morecambe Lancashire LA4 5AF 01524 582257 [email protected]

How to contact us outside office hours If you are homeless and our office is closed, please call the council’s Emergency Call Centre on 01524 67099 and you will be put in contact with a Housing Advice officer. (Please note calls are recorded for monitoring and training purposes).

12 www.lancaster.gov.uk/housing