Housing

Whether you are trying to find suitable accommodation or are having problems with your landlord, it is important that you know about your rights and responsibilities. This section gives useful information on these subjects and also some guidance if you are faced with losing your home.

You may also find additional information elsewhere in this site:

If you need more information on how to obtain a mortgage please visit our MANAGING YOUR MONEY section.

If you are in arrears with your rent or mortgage, please visit our DEBT section

There is information on adaptations to your home in our HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE section

If you need help with home improvements see our GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE section

1. FINDING SOMEWHERE TO LIVE

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. 

INFORMATION ON FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN STOCKTON

Click here to find out how to apply for social housing locally
Source: Stockton Borough Council

THINKING ABOUT RENTING: CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

To figure out how much rent you can afford, you first need to work out what all your other outgoings and costs will be. 

Click here for an overview of the upfront- and ongoing costs you need to take into account.
Source: Money Helper

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A PROPERTY: CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

Work out your overall buying and moving costs, first time buyer advice, and tips and tools to help you work out what you can afford.

Find out more information here
Source: Money Helper

FINDING ACCOMMODATION

For links to information on finding rented accommodation - and also on some of the problems you might encounter when buying or selling a home - click here

Source: Citizens Advice

For links to information on schemes to help you buy your own home, click here

Source: gov.uk

YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOUSING

Click here for information about leaving home (whether voluntarily or being forced), renting and buying accommodation and what rights you have if you become homeless.
Source: Childline

HOUSING GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

United Response have an easy-to-read guide about your home, written specially for people with learning difficulties. It tells you all about renting a house or flat or owning a home, and goes though everything you have to think about, like paying the rent or mortgage, and paying your gas and electricity bills.

Click here to read the guide 
Source: United Response

OLDER PEOPLE AND HOUSING

 There is further information on care homes in our HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE section.

Housing Choices

Find out information for older people on housing options available here 
Source: Age UK

Housing Choices Quiz

This questionnaire will help you think about different aspects of your home and how you live in it.

Click here to start the questionnaire.
Source: First Stop

 

CARE HOMES

There is further information on care homes in our HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE section. 

The Age UK website has a range of guides and fact sheets which can help you choose the right care home. The website also has information about paying for residential care and any help that may be available.

Click here for more information
Source: Age UK

STUDENTS

Finding a suitable place to live on a student budget can be difficult.

Click here for help to find the right accommodation for you. 

Source: Shelter

HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE LEAVING THE ARMED FORCES, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

If you have housing questions or problems, and either you or a member of your family serves in the Armed Forces or is a veteran, there is help available.

Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice

2. IF YOU ARE RENTING

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

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

DEPOSITS

Most private landlords ask new tenants for a deposit. For information on what your deposit covers, how to make sure you get it back and what to do if your landlord won't return your deposit, click here

Source: Shelter

HELP WITH A DEPOSIT

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you may be eligible for support, such as help with the cost of a deposit.  

Find out more information here
Source: Shelter

TENANCY AGREEMENTS

A Tenancy Agreement is a contract between you and your landlord. It may be written or oral, and gives certain rights to both you and your landlord, for example, your right to occupy the accommodation and your landlord’s right to receive rent for letting the accommodation.

Find out more information here
Source: Citizens Advice

RENTING FROM A SOCIAL LANDLORD OR COUNCIL

For information on a number of topics regarding Social Housing, including how to apply and what to if your home is unsuitable or you face eviction, click here

Information on other housing-related subjects, such as inheriting or swapping a tenancy and how to make a complaint can be found here

Source: Citizens Advice, Shelter

RENTING FROM A PRIVATE LANDLORD

If you're planning to rent a house, flat or room from a private landlord or letting agent, make sure you understand your rights, and be prepared for credit checks and upfront costs before you find a home.

Find out more information here
Source: Shelter

REPAIRS

The link below 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

OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS WITH RENTING

For a list of things to consider and questions to ask before signing a tenancy agreement, click here

Source: The Tenant's Voice

EVICTION: DOES YOUR LANDLORD WANT YOU TO LEAVE?

There is more information on eviction and rent arrears under our DEBT section

You'll need help right away if your landlord threatens to evict you.

Click here for information on the procedures your landlord should follow
Source: Shelter

3. IF YOU ARE BUYING

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

4. HOMELESSNESS

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

5. PROBLEMS WITH HOUSING

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

6. SUPPORTED HOUSING

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

 

7. INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS

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

8. HELPFUL TOOLS

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. 

TEMPLATE LETTERS

Shelter's template letters are downloaded as Word (RTF) documents. This means you can save them to your computer, add your own information and make any necessary changes before printing them out.

Find out more information here
Source: Shelter

FACT SHEETS AND LEAFLETS

Shelter

Age UK

FAQS

Some questions frequently asked by renters are answered here

Source: Housing Ombudsman

NATIONAL HELPLINES

We have provided a list of national helplines which you may find useful. If you need further advice or information please click FIND LOCAL AGENCIES WHO CAN HELP YOU

Citizens Advice

Advice by phone is available from Citizens Advice
Telephone: 0808 278 7986

Shelter

Their housing experts will offer support to you no matter what your housing situation.
Telephone : 0808 800 4444

Nightstop UK

You can find out where your nearest Nightstop is by calling 0207 939 1235 or 0207 939 1254. Evenings and weekends call 0808 808 4994

Age UK

Advice and information is available from AgeUK
Telephone: 0800 169 6565

First Stop

A helpline which gives general advice to older people, in particular about care, housing and finance. It is called FirstStop and you can contact them 
Telephone: 0800 377 7070

Veterans UK

Veterans UK, which is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is the sole Government-funded source of help and advice for veterans.
Telephone: 0808 1914218

WEBSITES USED IN THIS SECTION

Age UK

Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Childline

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counsellors are here to support you.

https://www.childline.org.uk/

Citizens Advice

The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights - including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england.htm

DePaul

 Depaul works in some of the UK's most disadvantaged communities, looking to prevent homelessness and provide support to vulnerable young people at every step of their journey.

 From emergency accommodation to longer-term housing to outreach services in the community, they provide immediate solutions for young people in crisis.

https://uk.depaulcharity.org/home

 Gov.uk

The websites of all government departments and many other agencies and public bodies 
https://www.gov.uk/#

Fix My Street

This site is run by My Society and assists you to report local problems to the correct department of the local authority
https://www.fixmystreet.com/

Money Helper

Money Helper assist people in managing their money. We do this directly through our own free and impartial advice service. We also work in partnership with other organisations to help people make the most of their money. We are an independent service, set up by Government.
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

Shelter

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness – and we campaign to prevent it in the first place.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/home

Stockton Information Directory

A website that provides welfare, health and social care information for adults and families living in the Borough of Stockton-On-Tees.
http://stocktoninformationdirectory.org/