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Introduction
The Housing Options service offers housing advice, helps prevent homelessness and takes applications for the housing register.
Some of the services provided by the Housing Options Service may need you to be able to prove your identity.
If possible, you will need to provide one of these for each member of your household:
We understand that in some extreme cases applicants may not have ID available to them. If you think this is the case for your household, please contact us to discuss this.
Demand for Social Rented Housing is much greater than supply and you could wait up to 11 years before being housed.
It may be more sensible to consider other housing options, such as renting privately or buying affordable housing before you apply.
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Buying your own home
If you're thinking about buying your own home, any of the local estate agents will be able to offer advice on available properties.
However, not everyone can afford to buy a home on the open market; particularly first time round, but there is help available. There is a range of government schemes to help low-income households get a foot on the property ladder. In Hastings, these affordable housing schemes are provided by Moat.
Moat's Homebuy scheme offers a number of opportunities if you need a little help buying your own home:
Visit the Homebuy website for further information.
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Private Rented Housing
If you're thinking about renting from a private landlord visit our estate and lettings agents area, read the local newspaper or Friday-Ad for details of available properties.
Once you've found a property, you may still need help or advice on making the most of the tenancy with a private landlord. Local organisations can help people to stay in their own home, with tenancy support schemes and we can point you in the right direction for advice on mediation and negotiation and financial help.
You could also join the Letstart scheme.
Protecting your deposit
Landlords are now required by law to protect your deposit. Within 14 days of receiving your deposit, your landlord is required to let you know where your deposit is being held.
There are three different schemes that your Landlord or Letting Agent could be using to protect your deposit:
If your Landlord or Letting Agent does not advise you within 14 days of where your deposit is being held, please contact us for further advice.
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Swapping your home (mutual exchange)
If you live in social housing, an easy way to relocate is to swap your home with a social housing tenant in another part of the country.
The Homeswapper website matches properties with tenants who want to swap houses across the country. Please note you will need your landlord's permission to swap.
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Supported Accommodation
Supported accommodation is a temporary home, which can provide assistance and support to a service user for up to two years. Supported accommodation will usually consist of a large property where you would have your own room with shared facilities.
If you are placed in supported accommodation, it is because you need additional assistance to learn skills to look after a tenancy and/or yourself before moving on to a private or social housing tenancy on your own.
Each supported housing provider has its own rules which may include curfews, what kind of visitors you may have (and when they visit) and what you may do while on the premises. You will also need to pay rent and a service charge in most cases.
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Financial assistance
If you have a sudden expense, the Department for Work and Pensions may be able to help by providing a loan or small grant depending on your situation.
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Tenancy Support
Managing a tenancy can be difficult, especially if it is your first time living on your own. Home Works is a service introduced in July 2009 for anyone aged 16 - 64, who needs help and support around housing and lives in East Sussex. This includes single people, couples and families.
Home Works is a free confidential housing support service to help you, for example, if:
- You have mortgage, rent arrears or debt problems
- You are at risk of becoming homeless
- You are setting up home for the first time
- You are suffering from or at risk of domestic violence
- You are an ex-offender
- You have drug or alcohol problems
- You have recently had a relationship breakdown or bereavement or any other reason that places your accommodation at risk
If you would like a service offered by Home Works or want more information and live in the Hastings area please contact:
Telephone: 01424 858341
Text: 07540 721244
Fax: 01424 858342
e-Mail: referrals@homeworkseast.org.uk
Alternatively a referral can be made by a local agency including the Housing Options Team.
For help with moving to a new home or keeping your current home if you are over 64 please contact:
Casa Support
Queensbury House
Havelock Road
Hastings
TN34 1BP
Telephone: 01424 728214
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Mediation and Negotiation
Sometimes living in close contact with people (including friends, family and neighbours) can start to cause friction.
Occasionally, this friction is so bad that you'll feel you cannot continue living where you are. It can help to have somebody talk to your neighbours, friends or family, with you or on your behalf, so that a compromise can be reached and you're able to stay where you are.
For general advice on mediation and negotiation contact the Housing Information Point.
For advice, counselling and mediation for all kinds of relationships contact Relate.
For tailored advice for parents contact Parentline Plus.
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Hastings LetStart
The LetStart scheme can help households at risk of losing their current home, or people who are already homeless, move into privately rented accommodation. It can also help landlords find good tenants with references.
How LetStart can help tenants
- Free property finder service
- Choice of property and location
- Help with deposits
- Long term security
- Landlords who accept Housing Benefit claimants
How LetStart can help landlords
- Free tenant finder service for landlords willing to house applicants at risk of homelessness
- Deposits given in the form of a bond of guarantee
- We will reference tenants
- Undertake an inventory
- Conduct viewings if needed
- Website advertising
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Benefit Matters newsletter
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South East Supported Housing Month: 16 November to 11 December
South East Supported Housing Month ran from 16 November until 11 December and was an awareness-raising campaign aimed at showcasing the work housing associations, local authorities and service providers are doing to support more than 136,000 vulnerable people in the region.
There are more than 2,700 Supported Housing and Floating Support Services in the south east, helping people to achieve their potential and enjoy independent and fulfilled lives. South East Supported Housing Month will see providers of the full range of services raising the profile of the sector through organising a variety of events, visits, launches and other activities aimed at local politicians and other key stakeholders.
During the month, the aim was to tell as wide an audience as possible about the difference the sector is making for some of the region's most vulnerable people - demonstrating the value added, and the ways in which these important services contribute to regional priorities on issues like access to housing, social care, health, and preventative work on social exclusion, homelessness, teenage pregnancy, offending and substance misuse.
With the ending of the ring-fence it is more important than ever that Supported Housing and Floating Support service providers shout out about what their services achieve and this was the opportunity to do just that.
Visit www.housing.org.uk for further information.
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Landlords
We offer local landlords help and advice on issues like grants, repairs, tenancy sign up and notice periods.
Housing charity Shelter can also offer landlords valuable advice.
Top tips for landlords
- Don't disturb your tenants
- Do necessary repairs
- Meet safety standards
- Protect any deposits
- Give legal notice
- Follow the rules on rent
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Tenants
We offer free advice, whether you are starting a tenancy, ending a tenancy or would like the law explained to you.
Housing charity Shelter can also offer tenants valuable advice.
Top tips for being a good tenant
- Make sure you actually live in your home - don't leave it empty
- Keep up to date with your rent
- Pay your bills
- Look after your property
- Don't be a nuisance - keep the noise down and make sure your children and pets are well behaved
- End your tenancy properly
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Student Accommodation
Hastings College have produced information outlining specific advice for students looking to enter the private rented market, including information on considering house sharing, points to remember when looking to rent a property and a short list of landlords. Visit www.hastings.ac.uk for further information.
The University of Brighton also has a campus for students attending University Centre Hastings. Once you have your confirmed your course place at the university, you will be eligible to apply for a place in the Robert Tressell campus which is adjacent to Warrior Square gardens and the seafront in St Leonards - close to UCH and Hastings town centre. Visit www.uch.ac.uk for further information.
Visit www.uch.ac.uk for more information about accommodation available in Hastings.
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Leaflets and supporting documents
Please contact us if you would like a copy of our Choice Based Lettings Guide produced for people with a learning disability, their families and supporters.
