Temporary and longer term housing you get from the council must be suitable.

Suitable means that the housing should be safe and meet your needs.

The housing should:

• not be too expensive for you

• not be too far from work or school

• be safe and not have serious repair problems

• meet your needs if anyone in your home is disabled or has health issues

You can only ask for a suitability review if the council have accepted the main housing duty.

You cannot ask for a review of emergency housing.

How the council makes a housing offer

The council must write to you.

The letter must say:

• if the offer is temporary housing or a final offer

• what happens if you take the offer or turn it down

• that you have the right to ask for a review if the housing is not suitable

Ask the council for the letter if they do not send you one. The council can email or post it. They might ask you to come in to get it.

Accept the offer even if you want a review

The council could stop helping you if you turn down a property or do not stay there.

This goes for both temporary housing and final offers of longer term housing.

You could ask if you can wait to move until after the review is done.

Time to think about an offer

Councils often want a quick answer if they offer you housing.

They should give you:

• time to think about the offer

• a chance to see the property before you sign an agreement

The council should show you photos and answer questions if there is a reason why you cannot see the property.

Disability and health needs

The council must look at any disability or health needs in your household.

This can be things like:

• if people in your household can move around the home easily

• if they can get in and out the property

• how close the property is to public transport

• if someone cannot share a bedroom because of a disability

You can ask your doctor or people like a support worker for help. They could write a letter that says why the property does not meet your needs.