Temporary Accommodation

What is temporary accommodation?

Temporary accommodation may be one of the following:-

· Bed and breakfast in a private hotel
· Flats, some with shared kitchen and bathroom
· Flats in South Oxhey managed by Riversmead
· Properties used on a temporary basis prior to major repairs or demolition
· The council's general stock on an unsecure tenancy 

Why is temporary accommodation used?

Temporary accommodation is provided for people who are homeless.  It may be for one or more of the following reasons:

· While further enquiries into the circumstances of your homelessness are being made
· Until a decision is reached on your homelessness
· If the Council accepts responsibility to house you, until an offer of permanent accommodation can be made.

How is it allocated?

The homeless persons team will arrange accommodation where available. 

Conditions of occupation

When offered temporary accommodation, applicants are asked to sign a tenancy agreement advising of the conditions to occupy the accommodation.

It is in the residents' interests to read these conditions thoroughly as a breach of the tenancy agreement could result in the Council repossessing the property and discharging its full homeless duty towards you.

Residents are also strongly advised to insure personal belongings, as the Council cannot accept responsibility for any damage to them during the stay in temporary accommodation.

Residents of temporary accommodation are responsible for obtaining their own television licence.

On being allocated temporary accommodation, if furnished, the homeless support officer will identify all furniture and equipment owned by the Council and will ask the resident to sign an inventory.

Whilst in temporary accommodation residents are expected to keep the properties in a clean condition and they may be inspected from time to time by a Housing officer.  Residents will also be expected to share the cleaning of communal areas such as passageways with other residents.

Any queries concerning tenancy agreements or rights during occupation of temporary accommodation should be directed to your estate officer.

Is there any entitlement to benefits?

Housing Benefit may be awarded depending on a family's income.  Completed Housing Benefit application forms should be returned to the Council as quickly as possible.

If you are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance, you should notify the DWP of your change of address.

How and where are payments made?

Payment cards are issued to all families in temporary accommodation.  Charges are paid on a weekly basis at the Council's Cash Offices by cheque, postal order, bankers order and cash.  You can also pay at you local post office.

When is permanent accommodation offered?

The Homeless persons team will decide if permanent accommodation may be offered after all enquiries have been completed and the council is satisfied that there is a duty to re-house you.  Accepted homeless applicants can choose the area that they wish to live in for three months from the date they were accepted as homeless.  If they have not been offered permanent accommodation by the end of the three months, their preferred areas are extended to include all areas in the district.

What happens if a tenancy to a permanent property is offered?

It is Council policy to make two reasonable offers of accommodation in Three Rivers District on the condition that there are no payment arrears for temporary accommodation.  A reasonable offer is as follows:

Single person	bed-sit bungalow or studio flat
Couple	one bedroom property
Elderly person	bed-sit or one bedroom property
One child family	one or two bedroom property
Two child family	two or three bedroom property
Three or more child family	three bedroom property

When a property is offered to a resident, they will normally be accompanied to view it by an Allocations Officer, before being asked to sign a Tenancy Agreement.  They will also be given a leaflet entitled "Offered a Property", which will explain what needs to be done to prepare for moving in.

The applicant must contact the Homeless Team within 3 days of signing the tenancy to the permanent property to arrange a convenient date for the hand over of keys to the temporary property. 

This must be done at the temporary property in order for the Homelessness Officer to check the inventory, if applicable.  Normally a maximum of one week is given to hand over keys.

What if an offer is refused?

Applicants may refuse the first offer of accommodation and await one further offer.  If the second offer is refused, they have the right to appeal.  If an appeal in writing is received and the Council is still satisfied that an offer is reasonable, all duties to help the family concerned will be discharged.  A Notice to Quit for the temporary accommodation may be served and no other accommodation provided.

How much time is allowed to move from temporary to permanent accommodation?

We normally allow up to a week from the time keys are handed over before the tenancy commencement date to allow time to move.  Residents in receipt of Income Support may qualify for a loan to assist with the purchase of furnishings.  Enquiries should be made to the Social Fund Section, Department of Works and Pensions.  A decoration allowance may be issued to the in-going tenant to assist with the decorating.

It is the responsibility of the in-going tenant to contact the appropriate Utility Supplier (e.g. Eastern Electricity and British Gas) to arrange for supplies to be connected in your name.  At least three days notice will be required.

Residents receiving Housing Benefit for Temporary Accommodation will need to complete another application form for help with the rent in the new property.

The Temporary Accommodation being vacated must be left in a clean condition and in a good state of repair.  This will be checked by a Council officer and the outgoing resident may be charged if repairs or any additional cleaning are required.

What if the council decides not to rehouse?

If it is decided that a family is not homeless or is intentionally homeless, no permanent accommodation can be offered.  The family concerned has to leave temporary accommodation and make their own housing arrangements.  The Private Sector Liaison Officer may offer advice on other housing opportunities.  You may approach the Council's Housing Advice Officer.