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Housing Advice and Housing Options Service
Housing Advice and Housing Options Service
Keeping a roof over your head isn't easy for some people and the loss of a settled home can be devastating. The City of Durham Council knows a lot about the impact of homelessness and the disruption and distress it can cause to young people, families and vulnerable people in our communities. The Housing Options Service works to prevent homelessness by providing advice and information regarding peoples housing situation. As we can't re-house everybody who approaches us for help, we instead look to try and prevent them from becoming homeless in the first instance.
Housing Options Officers
How can the Housing Options Officers help? The Housing Options Officers can give you impartial and confidential advice and assistance about your housing situation.
What type of advice and assistance can they give? The Housing Options Officers can help you if you are for example;
- Experiencing difficulties with your private landlord
- You are having difficulties paying your rent to your landlord
- Your parents, family or friends have asked you to leave their home
- You are fleeing domestic violence or violence from a third party
- You and your partner can no longer live together
- Your home may be repossessed as you are having difficulties paying your mortgage
The Housing Options Officers may also be able to give you advice and assistance about other housing matters as well.
The Officers may visit you in your home to discuss your housing situation. If they cannot visit in your home, for example, if it is not safe, then alternative arrangements can be made.
They will complete a form with you in order for them to get the full facts of your situation. Once they have completed the form they will then try and help you with your housing situation. This could be contacting other agencies that will be able to offer specialised assistance or advice. It is better to contact us, as soon as you are experiencing housing difficulties.
During the Housing Options Interview you will be asked to complete the Income/Expenditure form. This will help the officer see how much you can afford for housing per week/month. For an example budget click here. You can also print off a copy of the Income/Expenditure form complete it and bring it to your interview.
In this initial visit you will be given our housing options pack from the housing options officer. This pack includes information that can help regarding your housing situation. Please feel free to download or printoff this pack below.
Housing Options Pack
Bed, Breakfast and Hostel Accommodation
Housing Association Accommodation
Durham Location Guide - Contacts
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
For directions to the City of Durham Council office at Claypath please click here and you will be able view a map which shows our location. Durham can be access via many buses which either pass the council office directly or arrive at the bus station which is a short walk away from the office. Please note that the office is also wheelchair accessible.
Domestic Violence
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence covers a range of situations where one person in some way harms another person, with whom they have some pre-existing relationship. Domestic violence can therefore be one person physically attacking another or it may be another form of abuse such as pestering with phone calls, installing a lover in the family home, or putting superglue in the locks of the victim's car doors. For the above actions to be counted as domestic violence, the victim and the perpetrator must have had some form of relationship, but they do not need to be heterosexual partners and they need not live in the same property. If you are the victim of a violent relationship, get immediate practical advice on the options available, which may be to:-
- attempt to stop the violence and stay with the perpetrator of the violence
- leave home temporarily
- leave home permanently
- stay in the present home and get the perpetrator of the violence to leave
- take legal action
Please take the time to look at our Domestic Violence Leaflet that has useful contact numbers on and where to get help and support from.
Notice that you have must leave your accommodation
We provide advice and assistance on a wide range of housing related problems. Many people living in accommodation in the private sector, are unsure of their rights and are unsure where they can go for help. Also, many landlords renting out accommodation are not aware that we can offer impartial advice regarding problems they may experience with their tenants.
This booklet explains the basic rules about bringing a residential tenancy (or licence) to an end: either by the landlord or tenant serving notice to quit; or by a landlord serving a notice of his or her intention to seek possession.
We provide advice on:
Notices to Quit Accommodation- this includes notices given to tenants because a tenancy is coming to an end, tenancy agreements that have expired or are expiring, and issues where tenants may have breached the terms of their tenancy agreement (for example, by non payment of rent).
Rent Increases- in most situations, a landlord must follow a set procedure if he wants a tenant to pay more rent.
Disrepair- people living in private rented accommodation can often have problems with disrepair and many landlords and tenants are not aware of their obligations. There are also some schemes available to people that own their homes.
Deposits- at the end of a tenancy, deposit money may be withheld for different reasons. Advice can be given to landlords and tenants in relation to this.
Relationship Breakdown- many people are not aware of their rights when they separate from a partner. Advice can be given regarding their housing situation and any benefits they may be entitled to.
Mortgages- people fall into mortgage arrears for many different reasons, such as unemployment or health problems. There are various options available which can prevent someone from losing their home, even if court proceedings have already begun.
Please visit Dawn Advice Service for more information regarding this.
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Long Leaseholders with a private Freeholder- problems can be experienced with the Freeholder, for example, in relation to Service Charges.
Welfare Benefits- many people are not aware of the wide range of benefits they may be entitled to. For example, checks can be carried out for people wanting to return to work if they are unsure how their benefits will be affected.
Homelessness- advice can be given at any time if people think they may be homeless in the future, or where they are already homeless.
Housing Options- there are a range of options which are available to people who are looking for alternative housing.
Housing Benefits- To assist you with calculating how much housing benefit you could be entitled to, please use the Online Calculator.
Private Tenants
The vast majority of landlords are responsible and fair. In the unlikely event of you experiencing trouble with your landlord, the Council may be able to help. Harassment and illegal eviction as defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, are criminal offences.
The Council has a power to prosecute persons who commit offences. The Council's Officers investigate complaints and mediate between the parties wherever possible. The Council will consider bringing a prosecution where the evidence is sufficient to indicate the likelihood of a successful prosecution and where it is in the public interest.
The Council has powers to prosecute landlords who fail to fulfill their obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended. Such matters include the failure of landlords to provide rent books and the failure of freeholders to give long leasehold tenants information concerning service charges and insurance.
Where a complaint is received the Council's Officers will endeavor to secure that the required information is provided. However in the case of persistent failure to provide the information a prosecution will be considered. The Council has a power under S.33 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, to make arrangements to secure the restoration or continuance of gas, water or electricity supplies for the benefit of residents (usually tenants) where the supplies have been, or are likely to be, cut off because of failure by the owner of the property to pay for the services.
The Council will consider making such arrangements only as a last resort for emergency cases and then only when young children or elderly persons are affected. When invoking its powers the Council will only make arrangements with the suppliers which do not involve financial liability falling upon the Council. In every case the Council will co-operate closely with the suppliers and wherever possible enlist the suppliers' support and assistance.
Rent Deposits and Bonds
From 6th April 2007, all landlords and letting agents taking deposits for assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales must safeguard them with a Government-authorised tenant deposit protection scheme.
There are two types of tenancy deposit protection schemes available for landlords and letting agents (insurance-based schemes and custodial schemes). All schemes provide a free dispute resolution service.
Rent Deposits and Bonds are usually used in securing Private Rented accommodation. In November 2006 the government awarded contracts to three companies to run its Tenancy Deposit Schemes.
The three schemes are:
The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS)
This is the only custodial deposit protection scheme and is free and open to all Landlords and Letting Agents. The service is funded entirely from the interest earned from deposits held. Registrations and transactions can be made online or in paper form. The scheme will be supported by a dedicated call centre and an independent dispute resolution service. For more information, visit www.depositprotection.com or call 0870 707 1707
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
My Deposits (MD)
This is a partnership between the National Landlords Association and Hamilton Fraser Insurance. This insurance based tenancy deposit protection scheme enables landlords, either directly through agents, to hold deposits. The scheme is also open to letting agents. For more information visit www.mydeposits.co.uk
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
This is an insurance backed deposit protection and dispute resolution scheme run by The Dispute Service that builds on a scheme established in 2003 to provide resolution and complaints handling for the lettings industry. The new scheme enables letting agents and landlords to hold deposits. Information can be found on www.tds.gb.com or call 0845 2267837
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
City of Durham - Bond Guarantee Scheme (BGS)
City of Durham runs a Bond Guarantee Scheme (BGS) to help people gain access to privately rented accommodation.
The Bond Scheme aims to provide assistance to those seeking private rented accommodation in the City of Durham district. Clients coming to the Housing Options Team are often unable to access private rented accommodation as they are unable either to pay a bond or pay for rent in advance to the landlord.
The Bond is not a cash payment, it is a guarantee for a six months period to a private landlord which will cover for loss of rent if a tenant leaves within the first six months and the landlord is unable to re-let within the six month period or if a guarantee against loss or damage to the accommodation within the first six months. The Bond guarantee would be for four weeks rent up to a maximum of £500.
For more information please click the following link to take you through the Rent Guarentee Scheme flowchart.
For further information on the above or any other issues you may have with your private tenancy, please use the contact details at the bottom of the page - we may be able to offer some advice and assistance.
Community Legal Advice
Community Legal Advice is a free, independent and confidential advice service paid for by Legal Aid. It is a key part of the Legal Services Commission's strategy to deliver improved access to justice. They give independent advice over the phone to people who live on a low income or benefits about debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems. the service is available in England and Wales, Monday to Friday, 9am-6.30pm. Please visit the site to find out more info and to see if you qualify.
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Support2Talk
Support 2 Talk is a mediation service to help young people and family members improve communications, reduce conflict and achieve continuing support. This service is private and confidential.
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Joint Protocol
Homelessness support service for 16/17 year olds is an agreement between a number of agencies to work together to meet the needs of 16/17 year olds experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Partners to the protocol in Durham City are the Local Authority Housing Department, Children and Young Peoples Services Children in Need Teams and Emergency Duty Teams, Connexions County Durham, Youth Engagement Service and Moving On. The Joint Protocol aims to increase joint working to meet the needs of 16/17 year olds, improve communication between agencies, prevent homelessness, ensure 16/17 year olds get the support they need and access appropriate and suitable accommodation.
Joint Protocol - Guide for Parents
Joint Protocol - Guide of Young People
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Choice Based Lettings
Social landlords in County Durham have been working together in partnership for over two years to move towards a countywide Choice Based Lettings scheme. The partnership, known as Durham Key Options, has been working towards the successful shaping of the County Durham scheme and achieving the target to 'go live' around April 2008.
Please visit the following link to find out more information via the Durham Key Options newsletter.
Help now you've got your home
Floating Support is a service which is free to tenants and which offers practical assistance and advice to help you to maintain your tenancy. It is called Floating Support because it is independent of the housing provider and because it is not permanent - it is there when you need it. It is your personal support and is fitted to what you need to start off or to keep your tenancy. There is no charge to you for this service, and it can be either short term or long term depending on your needs.
You can access these floating support services by either being referred from the City of Durham council or via self referral. Please use the following document to refer yourself to any of these providers.
Floating Support Common Referral Form
Below is a link to all the floating support providers websites. Please visit the sites to find out what type of support can be accessed.
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Housing allocations - allocation system
The Council holds a Housing Register of applicants. This register is used to make allocations to housing stock owned by the City of Durham Council and provide nominations to rented housing owned by Registered Social Landlords.
Any person over the age of 16 years may apply on the Housing Register.
The Allocations Policy is based on housing need and applicants are placed in one of the following five bands:-
Band A Urgent Housing Need
Band B High Housing Need
Band C Medium Housing Need
Band D Low Housing Need
Band E No Priority
Each band contains a set of criteria. Applications are assessed in terms of circumstances and placed in the highest band which their circumstances allow Within each band applicants are ranked in order of the date their application was accepted into the band.
For further information regarding the Council's Allocations Policy, please refer to the Summary document below.
Housing Allocations Policy - A Summary
Other documents that can help with Homelessness
Renting a room in someones house
You should read this booklet if you rent (or are thinking of renting) in a property where the landlord also lives. In law, a resident landlord letting is one where the landlord and the person he or she lets to live in the samebuilding. This includes conversions where they live in different parts of the same property (however long ago it was converted).
Do you rent, or are you thinking or renting, from a private landlord
What is the law? When can I be asked to leave?Do I have to leave? Am I entitled to a written tenancy agreement? Can I leave during the tenancy? Can I get help with the rent? What happens if I get into rent arrears? What if my housing benefit is delayed? What can I do if I think the rent is too high? As a tenant what am I responsible for? What is the landlord responsible for? What can I do if my landlord tries to evict me illegally or is harassing me?
What is the law? How would I get my property back? What if the tenant won't leave the property? Why not leave my property empty? What are my responsibilities? What about my tax position?
Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies, guide for landlords
Introduction to assured and shorthold tenancies, Differences between an assured and a shorthold tenancy, How to set up a tenancy, Landlord and tenant responsibilities and rights, What to do when a tenancy ends, How to end a tenancy, Increasing the rent and varying the terms of a tenancy, Succession rights, joint tenancies, subletting, Housing benefit, Tax on rental income, Getting advice.
Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies, guide for tenants
Introduction to assured and shorthold tenancies, Differences between an assured and a shorthold tenancy, How a tenancy is agreed, Landlord and tenant responsibilities and rights, What happens when a tenancy ends, When can I be asked to leave the property, Rent increases and varying the terms of a tenancy, Succession rights, joint tenancies, subletting, Housing benefit, Harassment and illegal eviction, Getting advice.
You should read this booklet if you are letting (or thinking of letting) part of your only or main home. In law, a resident landlord letting is one where the landlord and the person he or she lets to live in the same building. This includes conversions where they live in different parts of the same property (however long ago it was converted).
The Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Is this harassment? Illegal eviction, Further Information.
This booklet tells you about landlords' and tenants responsibilities for repairs under short (less than seven years) leases of residential property.
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Contact Us
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Lynette Goodhall Housing Options Officer - 0191 301 8532 Lgoodhall@durhamcity.gov.uk |
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Natalie Bloomfield Housing Options Officer - 0191 301 8740 Nbloomfield@durhamcity.gov.uk |
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Mark Hopper Housing Options Assistant - 0191 301 8649 Mhopper@durhamcity.gov.uk |
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Kim Corfield Senior Strategy and Development Officer - 0191 301 8481 Kcorfield@durhamcity.gov.uk |
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Joanne Rouse Senior Strategy and Development Officer - 0191 301 8480 Jrouse@durhamcity.gov.uk |
Links to useful Websites
National Domestic Violence Helpline
*The City of Durham Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Other pages you may find useful
- Housing - improvement and repairs loans (PID 858)
- Private tenants - advice and support (PID 108)
- Homelessness - advice and support (PID 112)
Contact Details
For further information or specific help with information on this page, please contact us:
City of Durham CityInfo
Telephone: 0191 301 8499 or Fax: 0191 301 8555
Fill out a contact form
In an emergency, outside of office hours, please call 0191 386 6111