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  • Housing

    What do you need help with?

    I need to find somewhere to live.

    If you’re homeless or could become homeless in the next two months you can ask Wandsworth Council for help. You can do this by completing their housing options assessment form online. If you’re at immediate risk of domestic violence or abuse and don’t have a safe place to stay tonight you don’t have to complete this form, you can use the alternative contact details in the link above.

    When you apply as homeless the support the council provide will depend on your circumstances. The council don’t have to give everyone housing and if you aren’t vulnerable they’re more likely to give you advice about keeping your home or help you look for a private tenancy. Shelter have a guide to getting help from the council that explains how the process works and who gets priority for housing.

    If you’re homeless tonight and the council won’t give you emergency or temporary accommodation you may be able to find a shelter place at Ace of Clubs or Glass Door. The Shelter emergency helpline (0808 800 4444) is open 365 days a year and can give you information about night shelters and emergency housing issues.

    I'm being evicted because I can't pay my rent.

    Landlords generally have to follow a certain procedure in order to evict you. Your rights will depend on the type of tenancy you have, which you can check using Shelter’s tenancy rights checker.

    Citizens Advice have a guide to eviction for rent arrears. In most cases you don’t have to leave your home before your landlord gets a court order. This means you may have time to resolve the issue, even if it’s already gone to court.

    If court proceedings have started you may be able to get free advice from a solicitor. This will depend on whether you’re eligible for legal aid. You can check your entitlement to legal aid online or by calling Civil Legal Advice, who can also advise you about your situation.

    If you can’t get legal aid or afford a solicitor you should still attend any court hearing about your eviction. If you explain to the judge why you’re in arrears they may decide that it isn’t appropriate to evict you. You may also be able to get legal advice from a duty solicitor on the day of the hearing – arrive early and speak to a court clerk about this.

    I've applied for council housing and I've been waiting a long time.

    There’s a limited supply of social housing in London and councils decide who gets priority. Shelter have a guide to who gets priority and we’ve published detailed guidance about applying to Wandsworth Council for social housing.

    If you qualify for the waiting list but are given low priority, you may never be offered a home. Wandsworth Council say that even residents with high priority may wait several years to be housed.

    If your circumstances have changed since you applied for housing, or the council aren’t aware of relevant information, you should speak to your allocated caseworker.

    In the housing section of the Wandsworth Council website you can find information about:

    • their allocations policy
    • the process for applying for housing
    • wait times and priority
    • alternatives such as renting privately.

    The council have offered me housing but it isn't suitable.

    If the council offer you long-term housing it must meet certain criteria and be suitable for you.

    However, if you refuse an offer of housing, even if it’s unsuitable, you put yourself at risk of homelessness.

    You should therefore accept the offer but ask for a review within 21 days. Shelter have a guide to requesting a review, which includes a template letter, but you may also be eligible for free legal advice if you’re on a low income. Civil Legal Advice can help you check this and give you housing advice if you qualify.

     

    Information and self-help resources

    Citizens Advice Logo
    Citizens Advice

    Information from Citizens Advice about:

    • how to go about renting or buying a home
    • handling problems with your landlord
    • eviction and repossession
    • your rights as a tenant.

    www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing

    Shelter logo
    Shelter

    Information and guides about housing and homelessness issues. Helpline can offer advice about urgent issues.

    england.shelter.org.uk

    The Leasehold Advisory Service Logo
    Leasehold Advisory Service

    Information and guidance about residential leasehold, park home law and fire safety. Also provide a lease extension calculator.

    www.lease-advice.org

    Organisations that can help

    Shelter logo
    Shelter London helpline

    Advice, support and legal services to help with housing crisis, bad housing or homelessness. Service is for London residents only and may be easier to reach than Shelter’s national helpline.

    Phone (under 25 years old): 0330 053 6091 (read about call charges)
    Phone (25 or older): 0344 515 1540 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm
    england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services/london

    Shelter logo
    Shelter Urgent National helpline

    National helpline for people with urgent housing issues.

    Phone: 0808 800 4444 (read about call charges)
    Monday to Friday, 8am to 8am
    Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
    england.shelter.org.uk

    South West London Law Centre logo
    South West London Law Centres

    Advice about housing issues offered by a combination of legal aid, free advice surgeries and the Housing Court Duty Scheme.

    Phone: 0208 767 2777 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
    https://swllc.org/

    Rcj Advice Logo
    RCJ Advice

    Advice about housing issues for people who qualify for legal aid.

    Phone: 0207 947 7484 (read about call charges)
    www.rcjadvice.org.uk/housing/housing-legal-aid

    Gov.uk logo
    Civil Legal Advice

    Free, confidential advice for people who qualify for legal aid. CLA provide free interpretation for people who don’t speak English and can book a BSL interpreter if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.

    Phone: 0345 345 4345 (read about call charges)
    Minicom: 0345 609 6677
    Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
    Saturday, 9am to 12:30pm
    www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

    Springfield law centre logo
    Springfield Law Centre

    Independent charity providing NHS patients in South West London with specialist advice on housing, community care, debt and welfare benefits.

    Phone: 0208 767 6884 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
    www.springfieldlawcentre.org.uk

    Wandsworth Council logo
    Wandsworth Council Environmental Health

    To report disrepair and infestations, particularly in privately rented accommodation.

    Phone: 0208 871 6127 (option 7) (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm
    www.wandsworth.gov.uk

    Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors Logo
    Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors

    Free advice on all party wall and boundary matters. Also provide a directory of Party Wall Surveyor members and Surveyors who can mediate disputes.

    Phone: 01424 883 300 (read about call charges).
    www.fpws.org.uk

    The Leasehold Advisory Service Logo
    Leasehold Advisory Service

    Free advice about leasehold and fire safety issues offered via phone appointments and a written advice service.

    Phone: 020 7832 2500 (read about call charges)
    www.lease-advice.org

    Robes Logo
    Robes

    November to April Winter Shelter nights in churches across Lambeth and Southwark.

    Phone: 0207 407 5623 (read about call charges)
    www.robes.org.uk

    Glassdoor Logo
    Glassdoor

    Open-access network of emergency winter shelters and support services for men and women affected by homelessness. November to April Winter Shelter nights available in churches across Wandsworth.

    Phone: 0208 016 6838 (read about call charges).
    www.glassdoor.org.uk

    Spear Logo
    Spear London

    Support for people experiencing homelessness in South-West London, including rough sleeping reporting and outreach services.

    Phone: 0208 404 1481 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday,  9am to 5pm
    www.spearlondon.org

    NIGHTSTOP LOGO
    Nightstop

    Emergency overnight accommodation for young people (16 to 25) who are facing a night on the streets or sleeping in an unsafe place.

    Phone: 0207 9391 234, 0207 9391 226 or 0207 9391 240 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
    www.nightstop.org.uk

    Ace Of Clubs Logo
    Ace Of Clubs

    Shelter, food, clothing, laundry services and showers for people in need.

    Phone: 020 7720 2811 or 020 7720 0178 (read about call charges)
    Open Monday to Friday 12pm to 4pm
    St Alphonsus Road
    London
    SW4 7AS.
    www.aceofclubs.org.uk

    Spires Logo
    Spires

    Food, clothing, showers, healthcare and, for longer terms clients, support, advice and referrals to other services. Also provides a womens-only space for vulnerable women of all ages.

    Phone: 0208 696 0943 (read about call charges).
    www.spires.org.uk

    Still need help?

    Find out how to contact us if you haven’t been able to resolve your problem using the information above.

    Please bear in mind that we are a local charity and demand for our services is high. You may have to wait to speak to one of our team and we can’t offer everyone an appointment with an adviser.

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