Get help from the council
How to ask the council for help
Get in touch with the council as soon as possible.
The council has more time to help if you contact them as soon as you know you might lose your home.
You're legally homeless if you're at risk of domestic abuse or violence in your home. Contact the council at any time.
If you get an eviction notice, contact your council straight away. They can check your notice and give you the right support.
Find out more about council help after a section 21 eviction notice.
Get as much evidence as you can
The council should not send you away if you do not have evidence when you first ask them for help.
But it helps to have as much information as you can.
This can include:
an eviction notice or other documents showing why you have to leave
proof of your identity and immigration status such as a passport or ID card
evidence of your income such as bank statements, wage slips or proof of benefits
a letter from your doctor or hospital about any medical conditions
a letter from a doctor or midwife saying you're pregnant
birth certificates if you have children
Contact the council
The council might tell you to apply as homeless by:
phone call
online form
email to the homelessness team
coming to the council offices in person
Get information you can understand
The council should make it easy to ask for help and understand any support they give.
For example, they should:
get you an interpreter if you need one
give you information in a language or format you understand
agree to talk on the phone if you cannot get to their offices
let you come to their offices if you cannot use the internet or a phone
Tell the council if you cannot pay for a service like translation.
It could be discrimination if you ask for help with these things but they refuse.
Find out what to do if the council will not help.
Last updated: 4 September 2023