Homeless prevention

If you are in danger of losing your present accommodation and if you are one of the following:

• a homeowner with mortgage arrears
• a Council tenant with rent arrears
• are in a tied tenancy linked to your job
• a private tenant with rent arrears
• being told to leave by your landlord.

Here are some tips, which may help you maintain your present home:

Homeowners

If you are in mortgage arrears, then the lender can get a possession order from the County Court and repossess your home by evicting you.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get advice, assistance and legal aid from a solicitor.

The Citizens Advice Bureau and Shelter Housing Aid may also be able to help.

You and your advisor may be able to prevent repossession in a number of ways.

By agreement with your lender you may be able to:

• pay off any arrears in instalments
• pay interest only on your loan for a certain period of time
• extend the term of years that the mortgage runs for
• change your type of mortgage.

At the court hearing, the lender will ask for a possession order. This can be an outright order or a suspended order whilst the arrears are paid off. An outright order can mean that you would be evicted very soon.

A suspended order means that you are able to stay in your home whilst you keep to the terms of the order.

If you are in mortgage difficulties:

It is essential if you are in difficulties with your mortgage to contact your lender and discuss the situation. If you cannot pay the full monthly payments for your mortgage, then you should pay what you can.

Work out your income and what you have to pay and the other debts you may have. This will tell you how much money is left to pay your arrears. Remember that your mortgage is the priority debt. You will lose your home if you do not pay your mortgage.

Check that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, including Income Support which will help with you mortgage costs.

If you are thinking of selling your home or abandoning your home you must speak to your lender. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up with mortgage repayments or any other loan secured on it.

The staff at the Shepway Housing Centre can give you advice on how to prevent becoming homeless, but only if you tell us early enough. We can negotiate with your lender, give you assistance if you have to go to court, and tell you about your housing options.

If you are a Council Tenant

If you are a Council tenant and are having problems paying your rent, please contact your Housing Officer as soon as possible.

We may be able to agree a regular amount each week to repay your arrears and ensure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.

If you would like independent advice, then please contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter Housing Aid. The Council have to get a possession order from the County Court before evicting you.

If you are a Tied tenant about to lose a job linked with a tenancy:

If you are a tied tenant, for example, a publican or are in the Armed Forces, please contact the Shepway Housing Centre as soon as you receive notice terminating your employment. We may not be able to help you straight away, but early action by you will help later on.

If you are a Private Tenant:

If you are a private tenant and are having difficulties paying your rent, speak to your landlord or agent as soon as possible.

We can also contact your landlord on your behalf. For independent advice you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter Housing Aid.

If you are a Private Tenant given notice by your landlord:

If your Landlord has served you with a Notice, please speak to staff at Shepway Housing Centre as soon as possible.

Our staff can check that you:

• are being legally asked to leave with a correct type of notice
• really do need to leave - you may have 'security of tenure'
• are not being illegally harassed or evicted.

Your landlord is committing a criminal offence by harassing you or your family, or attempting to evict you from your home without a Court Order

Homeless at Home

With the 'Homeless at Home' Scheme, you can apply to us and continue to live with family or friends. You may prefer to do this rather than accept the accommodation made available by us.

You can join the scheme if you are waiting for a decision on your homeless application, or if your application has already been accepted. You can opt out of the scheme, and go into interim or temporary accommodation at any time should your circumstances change.

Rent Deposit Scheme

The Rent Deposit Scheme is designed to help people who cannot afford a deposit within the private rented sector. The scheme pays the deposit, by cheque, straight to the landlord or letting agent. This scheme does not cover rent in advance.

If the Council accepts a duty to you because you are unintentionally homeless, then you are eligible to apply to the scheme.