Finding somewhere to live in an emergency

Bailiffs are due to evict you from your property

If you rent your home:

Most tenants can only be evicted if their landlord gets a possession order from the court and the date on it has passed. If this happens, your landlord can get bailiffs to evict you.

The first step in this process is that bailiffs' office at the court will write to you to inform you of the date and time the bailiffs will arrive. The amount of time given to let you know varies, but you should receive at least a few days' notice before you have to leave the property.

As soon as you know you are going to be evicted you must call the council and make an appointment to see a Housing Options Officer to discuss your situation, please go to our I'm at risk of being or already am homeless webpage.

Shelter - stopping eviction can provide you with information including:

• Can eviction by bailiffs be stopped or delayed?
• What happens when the bailiffs arrive?
• What happens to your belongings?

Shelter - what happens also has information on what happens when bailiffs evict tenants.

If you own your home and it is being repossessed:

If a court has decided that a mortgage lender can repossess your home and you don't leave voluntarily, bailiffs can be sent to remove you from the property.

We recommend that you go to our I'm at risk of being or already am homeless webpage as soon as you know your home is going to be repossessed to see if we can help you.

Shelter - repossession rules can provide you with information about the repossession rules mortgage lenders must follow.

The quickest way to find a new home is to rent a property through the private rented sector.

Friends or family have evicted you

If you are under 18 and your relationship is breaking down with your family or friends you are living with and you think you may need to leave, go to our I'm under 18 and at risk of being or already am homeless webpage.

If you're over 18 years old, please go to our I'm at risk of being or already am homeless webpage to see if we can help you.

The accommodation and support you received as an asylum seeker has ended

If you have been provided with accommodation and support through the Home Office, which has ended or is coming to an end, you should go to our I'm at risk of being or already am homeless webpage to see if we can help you.

You can also get specialist support from the following organisations:

• Migrant Help provides a range of information and advice on issues relating to asylum and immigration
• The Links Project provides support for asylum seekers and refugees in the Hastings area.

Your home is no longer inhabitable due to an incident such as a flood or fire

If you can't remain in your home whilst repair work is being carried out, we suggest you see if you are able to stay with family or friends in the short term. If this is not an option and you're a tenant, your landlord should provide you with alternative accommodation - your landlord will be able to claim back the cost of this through their insurance.

If you're a homeowner then your insurance company should also meet the cost of your temporary accommodation.

If you have difficulty contacting your landlord or insurance company you should go to our I'm at risk of being or already am homeless webpage.

The Housing Options team will tell our Housing Renewal team who will inspect the property and determine whether it is safe to live in. If it's not safe to return to your home, the Housing Options team will look at alternative accommodation options available to you.