Temporary accommodation guide

This page provides a summary of what you can expect if you have made an application to this Council as homeless. If you would like to see the full document which explains what the Council's obligations are in the provision of temporary accommodation to homeless households as well as explaining the different types of temporary accommodation the Council uses, please click on the link below.

Temporary Accommodation Information Booklet

Accommodation during enquiries

If the Housing Needs Officer (HNO) dealing with your homeless application has enough reason to believe that you may be homeless and in priority need, they should ensure that you have accommodation to occupy until they have completed their enquiries into your application.

This may involve negotiating with your landlord to allow you to remain beyond your notice date; asking you whether you have anyone you can stay with on a short term basis; or securing emergency accommodation for you, whichever is most appropriate.

Accommodation following acceptance

If this Council accepts responsibility for housing you as homeless, you will be provided with temporary accommodation until you are successful in bidding for a property through the Council's Housing Register. Homeless applicants are housed in date order within their required property size category and area requested.

Accommodation following a decision of 'intentionally homeless'

If you are found to be homeless intentionally, the Council's duty to provide you with temporary accommodation is limited.

You are entitled to advice and assistance on looking for other accommodation but you will be expected to show evidence of the efforts you are making to find alternative accommodation.

Types of temporary accommodation

The Council may use different types of accommodation dependent on the size of your household, any special needs you may have and the availability of accommodation at the time you require it.

For a complete guide to the type of accommodation you may be assisted with please download a copy of the Temporary Accommodation booklet as mentioned above.

Private rented accommodation

Through the Private Sector Access Scheme, the Council is able to arrange with private landlords for homeless households to take on tenancies of suitable accommodation in the private sector.

Before offering you such accommodation, we will ensure that it is affordable for you and available on reasonable terms. If we do intend to assist you in this way, you will be provided with more detailed information at the time.

Can I appeal against the temporary accommodation offered to me?

You can always talk to your Housing Needs Officer of any concerns you have, but you need to be realistic about the availability of accommodation.

There is no appeal against the suitability of the accommodation offered to you whilst the Council is investigating your application. However, as soon as you have received a decision on your application, you can appeal against the suitability of the temporary accommodation offered to you if you feel it is not suitable.

To request a review of the suitability of your temporary accommodation you should write to The Housing Needs Manager, Housing Needs, Council Offices, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0BT, giving full reasons for your request.

Advice agencies

Further advice and assistance on your circumstances can be obtained from other independent advice agencies as listed below:

Shelter This link will open in a new window (This link will open in a new window)
Housing Aid Centre
1st Floor, Barton House
Broadfield Barton
Crawley RH11 9BA

Tel. 01293 419255

Citizen Advice Bureau This link will open in a new window (This link will open in a new window) - Caterham
Soper Hall
Harestone Valley Road
Caterham Surrey
CR3 6YN

Tel. 01883 348385

Citizen Advice Bureau This link will open in a new window

- Oxted
1st Floor Oxted Library
12 Gresham Road
Oxted
RH8 0BQ
Tel: 01883 715525

For further information please contact Homelessness on 01883 732810 or 01883 732824 or e-mail homelessness@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

Maps and directions to our offices.

If you have any comments about our services, please fill in our Contact us form.

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Related Pages:

Housing
Annual Report to Tenants (Pages)