This section goes through the different options available and includes some useful information to help you make a more informed choice about where to live. There are useful tools to help you assess whether you can afford a property.

Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section. 

This section provides information on agreements and common problems with renting.

Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section.

This section provides guidance on how you get a mortgage and information for first time buyers.

Our MANAGING YOUR MONEY section contains more information on financial planning and the likely costs of buying a home 

Buying a home

Find out more about the process of buying a home here
Source: Citizens Advice

First Time Buyers

For information on choosing a mortgage, the different types of mortgage available and advice on how to apply, click here

Source: Money Helper

If you're currently renting and would like to buy your home, you can find information on how to do this here

Source: The Mortgage Hut

There's also help available from Stockton Borough Council, through a number of Affordable Home Schemes - for more information, click here

Source: Stockton Borough Council

Help with home improvements

Stockton Borough Council provides information and advice to home owners on a wide range of issues including home maintenance, repairs, and accessing financial support to pay for improvements to your home.

Find out more information here 
Source: Stockton Borough Council

Selling your home

Useful information about what you need to do to sell your home can be found here
Source: Citizens Advice

This section provides links to help if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Help if you are in danger of being homeless

Stockton Council, along with partner organisations, is committed to ensuring that households, or individuals, with housing difficulties do not become homeless. Click here to find out what help is available to prevent you from being homeless. 
Source: Stockton Borough Council

Help with housing in an emergency

If you are left homeless and it is an emergency you can contact the Emergency Duty team. For further information, click here
Source: Stockton Borough Council

Your rights if you are homeless

For useful information on your rights if you are homeless or are facing homelessness, click here
Source: Shelter

Hostels for homeless people in Stockton

Information on local hostels for the homeless is available in the Stockton Information Directory; click here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Emergency accommodation for homeless people aged 16-25

Depaul's emergency accommodation service can help you find a place to stay tonight
For more information click here
Source: Depaul

Damp, neighbours and anti-social behaviour- information on how to deal with common problems.

There is information about home improvements in our GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE section.

If you have general concerns about your area, you can also contact your Local Councillor. To find out who they are and how to contact them please visit LEGAL AND CRIME and look under Government and Voting

Problems with neighbours

This section deals with some of the problems that you might come across in your neighbourhood, and how to go about dealing with them.

Find out more information here 
Source: Shelter

Anti-Social Behaviour: help in Stockton on Tees

Stockton Borough Council’s Civic Enforcement Service can offer advice and support to anyone who feels they are experiencing serious and persistent harassment.

For more information, click here

Source: Stockton Borough Council

Problems in your local environment

You can report problems with roads and pavements, litter and fly-tipping and pests through the Stockton Borough Council website.

For more information, click on the links above.
Source: Stockton Borough Council 

Repairs in rented housing

This section gives information on getting repairs done. It explains the tenant's and landlord's responsibilities to carry out repairs and what options the tenant has if the landlord doesn't meet their obligations. It also covers some common disrepair problems.

Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice

Help for Homeowners to Improve Their Home

Stockton Borough Council's Homeowner Improvement Loan scheme can help you make essential repairs to your home.  To be eligible you must be a Stockton homeowner aged 18 or over, and have owned your home for at least 12 months.

For more information, click here

Source: Stockton Borough Council

Home Improvement Agency and Handyperson Service

Stockton Borough Council's Home Improvement Agency provides advice, support and assistance to those who are eligible to help maintain their independence and stay warm, safe and secure at a home of their choosing.  The Council's Handyperson Service provides help with low level DIY type jobs that will reduce accidents, falls and unnecessary hospital admissions. Clients who are eligible will be allowed two free labour hours within a 6 month period.

For more information on both of these services, and to find out whether you're eligible for help, click here

Source: Stockton Borough Council

Get your street problems fixed online

Pothole in the road? Flytipping or broken street lights? Enter your postcode, stick a pin in the map, type in your problem and FixMyStreet will send your report to the correct council representative.

Find out more here
Source: My Society

This section provides information on the help you can get to help you live independently.

There is more information on care homes under the HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE section

Supported Housing in Stockton-on-Tees

For information on organisations providing supported housing in Stockton, click here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Housing Support for people misusing drugs and alcohol in Stockton-on-Tees

There's information on organisations providing supported housing for people misusing drugs and alcohol in Stockton here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Supported housing for people with mental health issues in Stockton-on-Tees

For details of organisations providing supported housing for people with mental health issues in Stockton, click here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Supported housing for people with learning disabilities in Stockton-on-Tees

You can read information on organisations providing supported housing for people in Stockton with learning disabilities here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Sheltered housing for older people in Stockton-on-Tees

To learn about organisations providing supported housing for older people in Stockton, click here
Source: Stockton Information Directory

Whether renting a room in your home or another property: make sure that you do it right.

Renting Out a Property: Information for Landlords

Useful information about your responsibilities as a landlord can be found here
Source: gov.uk

Deposits: Get it Right

Useful information on your responsibility to look after a deposit and where to secure it can be found here 
Source: gov.uk

Financial Responsibilities of Being a Landlord

If you rent out a property - whether you own one, or several - there are certain things you have to do as a landlord.

Click here for more information on your responsibilities.
Source: Money Helper

Thinking of Renting One of Your Rooms?

There is more information on possible tax issues under our TAX section

Useful information on rent, bills and tax if you are thinking of letting one of your rooms can be found here 
Source: gov.uk

Evicting a Tenant

You must follow strict procedures if you want your tenants to leave your property, depending on the type of tenancy agreement and its terms.

Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk

The National Residential Landlords Association

The Association represents the interests of 95,000 landlords in the UK, ranging from full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with houses-of-multiple-occupancy or with single-bedroom flats.

Click here to learn more
Source: National Residential Landlords Association

We have provided a variety of tools below to help you with your problem but if you still need help, you can click on FIND LOCAL AGENCIES WHO CAN HELP YOU for information about local agencies who may be able to assist you further.

Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section.