Leaving home or deciding to move to a new home is something that we all do at some stage in our lives. However for many people changing their home environment can be very difficult with lots of problems to face and responsibilities to take on. Some people face eviction from their landlords be it, through a Housing Association or a private landlord.
Whatever the reason, you need to ensure that you are being treated fairly and legally. This is where the South Hams District Council Housing Advice service can be a useful point of contact for information. This can range from being homeless, suffering from domestic violence to providing advice on housing related problems or problems with your landlords or tenant. Whatever the problem, the Housing Advice Centre is a free, confidential service which will discuss your needs with you in deciding your best available housing option.
Homeswap Direct - Scheme to help social tenants swap homes
The government has launched a scheme which will allow social housing tenants to see every available property in the country. From April 2012, all social landlords will have to ensure that they make properties from across the UK available to their tenants who are considering swapping their homes. For the first time there will be a system in place across the whole of the UK which means tenants will be able to see all the available homes nationwide. Further information available at www.communities.gov.uk. |
Has the recession hit close to home?
Visit the Recession page on the Devon Home Choice website for tips on how to survive the recession, including details of options available to households experiencing financial difficulties which could lead to them losing their home.
Are you having difficulties paying your mortgage?
Our Mortgage Arrears Advice Guide provides information on what you can do and who can help.
Important Changes to Housing Benefit
Find out about the changes to Local Housing Allowance that started in April 2011 and how they may affect you. These changes affect people getting Housing Benefit who pay rent to a private landlord. From January 2012 there were changes to Housing Benefit which affect single people aged 25 to 34 who rent from a private landlord - see our Benefit Changes webpage for further details. |
Help with Housing Costs
Discretionary Housing Payments offer financial assistance to people who are having difficulty meeting their housing costs and are already receiving housing benefit and/or council tax benefit.
When claiming you will need to explain why you need extra help and what you are doing to resolve the problem. The award is temporary and does not cover any service or support charges which may be included in your rent.
If you would like to apply, you should telephone 01803 861234 and ask for a Discretionary Housing Payment form.
Looking for Work
If you are looking for work and would like to find out about current jobs available through the Jobcentre, call 0845 6060 234. You can search for jobs, careers, childcare and voluntary work at JobCentrePlus (DirectGov).
Help accessing funds
Turn2Us is a free, accessible website offering a range of tools to help people access the money available to them through benefits, grants, and other financial help, and has been designed to help people find appropriate sources of financial support quickly and easily, based on their particular needs and circumstances. Go to www.turn2us.org.uk to access the following features:
- A Benefits Checker to help people ensure they are receiving all the welfare benefits they are entitled to;
- A Grants Search section containing the details of hundreds of grant-giving charities that may be able to provide financial support and other services;
- A confidential "My Turn2us' account that can be used to make online enquiries and applications to grant-giving chairities;
- Information and interactive tools covering a wide range of subjects, including welfare benefits, grants, and managing money.
Read our 
Housing Options Information Pack for details of how we can help you resolve your housing problems. The pack contains information about private renting and how we can assist you in finding alternative accommodation should you need to move, together with details of our deposit guarantee and rent in advance schemes, and what to do if you have problems with your mortgage.
Housing Advice Service Information Leaflet - information about the services provided by the Housing Advice Team and how to access them.
Getting advice, and the right advice, is vital.
How to contact us |
Telephone: 01803 861234 Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Friday from 9am to 4:30pm Emergency out of hours contact: 01803 867034 Or write to
Housing Advice
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Totnes
TQ9 5NE email: housing.advice@southhams.gov.uk |
