Temporary housing when homeless

The council might give you emergency housing when you first ask for homeless help.

You might move to temporary housing if the council decide you should get longer term housing. The council call this 'the main housing duty'.

How long you can stay in temporary housing

It can take a long time for councils to make a final offer of housing.

You may have to stay in temporary housing for months or even years in some areas.

You might have to move from one place to another during that time.

Types of temporary housing

Temporary housing could be a:

• room in a shared house

• flat or house from a private landlord

• hostel, refuge or other housing with support

• short term council or housing association tenancy

If you have children

Families with children should get self-contained accommodation where possible. You do not have to share a kitchen or bathroom with anyone else in this accommodation.

There should be enough space for cots for children under 2 years. The council might have to help you get a cot if you need one. For example, if you had to leave in an emergency because of domestic abuse.

Where your temporary housing might be

Tell the council if you need or want to live in a certain area.

The council usually have to try to find housing in their area.

But they could offer housing in another council area if there's nothing suitable in your area.

Things the council should consider about the location

The council must usually consider things like your:

• travel time to work

• children's education

• caring responsibilities and support networks

• safety – for example, if you are at risk of violence or domestic abuse

If you arrived in the UK in the last 2 years, the council only has to make sure the location is:

• safe

• not too far from any caring responsibilities

Problems with temporary housing

Temporary housing could be unsuitable if, for example:

• you cannot afford it

• you are overcrowded

• it needs repairs or is in poor condition

• it is too far to travel to your workplace or your children's schools

• it is hard to access because of a health condition or disability

• it is too far away from a carer who needs to visit you

• it is too far from someone you need to visit as a carer

• you are at risk of things like domestic abuse or racist violence

Get support to talk to the council if you're homeless because of domestic abuse.

The council should not ask you to move somewhere you are not safe.

What to do if temporary housing is not suitable

Accept the offer even if you do not want to live there.

The council can stop helping you if you turn it down.

You have 3 weeks to ask for a review. You could get free legal help.

Tell the council if your temporary accommodation is no longer suitable. Explain why.

Your temporary housing must be suitable for as long as you live there.

The council must offer alternative housing if it's no longer reasonable for you to stay there.

For example, if your situation changes and you can no longer afford the rent.

Help to pay the rent

Temporary housing must be affordable.

If you have a low income, you could get help with rent from:

• housing benefit - if you rent from the council or a housing association

• universal credit housing element - if you pay your rent to a private landlord

You might not get enough money to cover your rent. This leaves you to pay the rest.

Ask the council for a discretionary housing payment if you cannot pay the rest.

Some service charges in temporary housing are not covered by benefits.

Responsibility for repairs

Your landlord is usually responsible for repairs in temporary housing.

You are usually responsible for small jobs such as changing light bulbs and fixing plugs.

You're also responsible for any damage you cause.

More about landlord responsibilities for repairs.

If you're asked to leave temporary housing

You might be asked to move if the council:

• wants to move you to other temporary housing

• makes a final offer of longer term housing

The council might also ask you to leave if you:

• do not stay at the property

• have rent or service charge arrears

• refuse to move to different temporary or longer term housing

• no longer meet the immigration conditions for homelessness help

• break accommodation rules or the terms of your agreement

For example, if you smoke in a hostel or cause nuisance to neighbours.

The council should write to explain why they are asking you to leave.

Does the council have to go to court to make you leave?

The council or housing provider usually has to go to court to evict you.

They might not need to go to court if you live in a hostel where either:

• meals are provided

• you share a kitchen or bathroom with other residents

Challenging the council decision

The council writes to you when they decide how to end the main housing duty.

You can ask for:

• a review of the council's decision

• somewhere to stay during the review

The council does not always have to give you somewhere to stay during the review. But they should look at your personal situation and what might happen if they refuse.

You have 3 weeks to ask for a review

It's often easier to challenge a council decision straight away.

It can be harder to challenge a decision that you are intentionally homeless if you make another homeless application in the future.

How to ask for a review of a homeless decision.

Making another homeless application

You can do this if you're:

• still homeless

• at risk of homelessness again in the future

The council should usually accept your new application. But they might not have to do this if nothing has changed since the main housing duty ended.

You could also think about asking a different council for homeless help. For example, another council where you have a local connection.

The council has to look into your situation. They should give you emergency housing if you still have a priority need.

But they might decide you are intentionally homeless. For example, if your temporary housing ended because you refused a suitable offer of long term housing.