03 September 2010Get some advice
Look for another home
Mortgage Rescue Scheme
Privately renting
Court hearings
I am sleeping rough, what should I do?
Can the Council help me if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness?
Sevenoaks District Council Homelessness Strategy
Joint Homelessness Strategy - Towards 2010
Get some advice
The first thing you should do is find out what your rights are and ensure that you are being asked to leave your home legally. Unless it is an emergency it is unwise to leave your home without seeking advice. An adviser will look at ways to prevent you becoming homeless. Advice can be given by the council contact the Social Housing Team or if you prefer get independent advice.
Look for another home
If your adviser confirms that you must leave then you will need to try and find another place to live by looking in the papers and adverts in shops and visiting letting or estate agents. Friends or relatives may be able to accommodate you on a temporary basis. It is also important that you register your need for a Housing Association Property as soon as possible by contacting the Council's Housing Register.
If you are unable to find anywhere to live and need assistance contact the Social Housing Team. We will be able to give advice on securing private rented accommodation and may be able to assist you through the Private Sector Lettings Scheme (
PDF 28K file details) or Lodgings Scheme ( PDF 1137K file details). If you are eligible we may have a duty to provide you with temporary accommodation. If your landlord is taking possession proceedings against you through the courts we strongly recommend that you contact the Social Housing Team.
Mortgage Rescue Scheme
Homeowners who have exhausted all the hardship options offered by their mortgage lender may be entitled to financial support under the Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme. The Council offers the Mortgage Rescue Scheme in partnership with the Moat Housing Group.
Households with a combined income below £60,000 and with a home worth £225,000 or less may be eligible.
In some circumstances the Council can exercise a degree of discretion on these limits but all cases need to be carefully assessed by a Housing Officer at the Council.
For more information on the Mortgage Rescue Scheme view the mortgage rescue flowchart ( PDF File 12KB file details).
Privately renting
If you rent or own your home and your landlord or lender is taking court action against you, the Council may be able to help. If by carrying out an urgent assessment of your finances and making a realistic budget plan it appears your home can be saved, the Council can help you to apply for an emergency court hearing to stop the repossession of your home. While we can do this even if you have been issued with a bailiffs’ warrant for eviction, the earlier you speak to a Housing Officer, the more likely it is this will be successful.
If you need to rent a property but do not have a deposit or rent in advance saved up, you may be able to access financial help through the Councils Private Sector Lettings Scheme. For more information contact Steven Richardson on 01732 227296 or e-mail housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
Court hearings
Finally, if your landlord or lender has started court action against you and you do not have time to contact a Council Housing Officer beforehand, you can still get help from the Court Desks located in the Tunbridge Wells and Dartford County Courts. Court Desk staff can provide you with legal representation at your hearing and help you apply for 'stays' in the eviction process to enable you to obtain independent advice on your finances. This service is free if you are eligible for legal aid and if not, at a subsidised rate. For more information call 01732 227431 or e-mail housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
I am sleeping rough, what should I do?
If you are sleeping rough and need assistance finding accommodation contact the Social Housing Team or seek independent advice.You can apply to some hostels directly we can provide the details and telephone numbers of direct-access hostels in the area.
Can the Council help me if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness?
Local authorities have a legal duty to provide temporary accommodation for certain people who are homeless or about to become homeless through no fault of their own.
If you have a dependent child under 16 years (or 19 if in full time education), or are pregnant, or are vulnerable because of ill health or some other special reason you may be in priority need and can apply to the Social Housing Team for temporary accommodation.
If you do not fall into any of these categories we can offer advice and assistance.
Sevenoaks District Council Homelessness Strategy
Please click on the following links to download the full Homelessness Strategy ( PDF 99K file details)and the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan ( PDF 418K file details).
Joint Homelessness Strategy - Towards 2010
(Sevenoaks District Council/Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council/Tunbridge Wells Borough Council)
The Council has now joined its local authority partners in West-Kent to introduce a Joint Homelessness Strategy, which sets out sub-regional initiatives.
Please click on the following link to download a copy of the Joint Homelessness Strategy - Towards 2010 ( PDF 336K file details).
