Hounslow Council’s Housing Advice Team provides help and advice for people who are threatened with homelessness. They will advice on all aspects of tenancies and try to prevent eviction or assist in finding new tenancies. They are also able to offer information to leaseholders and owner occupiers.
If you are homeless and not eligible for assistance from the Homeless Persons Unit then the Housing Advice Team may be able to advise you on how to find suitable private rented accommodation and even offer you a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Council decide whether I am eligible for accommodation?
Do you give advice to Private Tenants?
Can the Council support me and my rights as a Private Tenant?
Do you give advice / help for Mortgage Arrears?
Do you give advice / help for hearings in possion proceedings?
What other help do you provide?
How can I contact a Housing Adviser?
How does the Council decide whether I am eligible?
If you do not have a priority need then the Council will not be able to provide accommodation but will offer advice and assistance in finding somewhere to stay. For information on who is eligible please look at the homelessness.
Do you give advice to Private Tenants?
Many people living in accommodation in the private sector, are unsure of their rights and are unsure where they can go for help. Also, many landlords renting out accommodation are not aware that we can offer impartial advice regarding problems they may experience with their tenants. We provide advice on:
Notices to Quit Accommodation - this includes notices given to tenants because a tenancy is coming to an end, tenancy agreements that have expired or are expiring, and issues where tenants may have breached the terms of their tenancy agreement (for example, by non payment of rent).
Rent Increases - in most situations, a landlord must follow a set procedure if he wants a tenant to pay more rent.
Disrepair - people living in private rented accommodation can often have problems with disrepair and many landlords and tenants are not aware of their obligations. There are also some schemes available to people that own their homes.
Deposits - at the end of a tenancy, deposit money may be withheld for different reasons. Advice can be given to landlords and tenants in relation to this.
Relationship Breakdown - many people are not aware of their rights when they separate from a partner. Advice can be given regarding their housing situation and any benefits they may be entitled to.
Long Leaseholders with a private Freeholder - problems can be experienced with the Freeholder, for example, in relation to Service Charges.
Can the Council support my rights as a Private Tenant?
The vast majority of landlords are responsible and fair. In the unlikely event of you experiencing trouble with your landlord, the Council may be able to help.
The Council's Powers Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977
Harassment and illegal eviction as defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, are criminal offences.
The Council has a power to prosecute persons who commit offences. The Council's Housing Officers investigate complaints and mediate between the parties wherever possible. The Council will consider bringing a prosecution where the evidence is sufficient to indicate the likelihood of a successful prosecution and where it is in the public interest.
The Council's Powers under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended
The Council has powers to prosecute landlords who fail to fulfil their obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended.
Such matters include the failure of landlords to provide rent books and the failure of freeholders to give long leasehold tenants information concerning service charges and insurance.
Where a complaint is received the Council's Housing Officers will endeavour to secure that the required information is provided. However in the case of persistent failure to provide the information a prosecution will be considered.
The Council's Powers under S.33 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
The Council has a power under S.33 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, to make arrangements to secure the restoration or continuance of gas, water or electricity supplies for the benefit of residents (usually tenants) where the supplies have been, or are likely to be, cut off because of failure by the owner of the property to pay for the services.
The Council will consider making such arrangements only as a last resort for emergency cases and then only when young children or elderly persons are affected. When invoking its powers the Council will only make arrangements with the suppliers which do not involve financial liability falling upon the Council. In every case the Council will co-operate closely with the suppliers and wherever possible enlist the suppliers' support and assistance. For further information on the above or any other issues you may have with your private tenancy, please contact us. - we may be able to offer some advice and assistance.
Do you give advice / help for Mortgage Arrears?
People fall into mortgage arrears for many different reasons, such as unemployment or health problems. There are various options available which can prevent someone from losing their home, even if court proceedings have already begun. For advice and help please contact us.
Do you give help / advice for hearings in possession proceedings?
County court housing advice and representation schemes aim to provide free, independent and confidential advice and representation to homeowners and tenants attending hearings in possession proceedings brought on grounds of arrears, who either have not previously obtained advice and/or are without legal representation.
Most schemes have been initiated by advice agencies and/or solicitors in private practice who attend court on a voluntary basis, but the impetus for some has come from the courts.
The way in which schemes are organised varies considerably. The main distinctions are:
some deal with either mortgage or rent cases - others with both;
activities at court are commonly limited to dealing with repossession cases, but some also provide help with other matters, e.g. debt problems unrelated to housing;
most involve duty advisers attending court on a rota basis on set days when cases are listed for hearing - only a few have a permanent or daily presence at court;
some are staffed by advisers from only one advice agency, others by advisers from several agencies, including local solicitors' firms.
As well as performing their core role, these schemes are well placed to identify other advice needs which might otherwise not be met. Few can meet clients' every need for advice, but duty advisers are often able to make referrals to agencies which can.
For more information on this service, please contact us.
What other help do you provide?
Welfare Benefits - many people are not aware of the wide range of benefits they may be entitled to. For example, checks can be carried out for people wanting to return to work if they are unsure how their benefits will be affected.
Homelessness - advice can be given at any time if people think they may be homeless in the future, or where they are already homeless.
Housing Options - there are a range of options which are available to people who are looking for alternative housing.
Landlords - if you have a property to rent within the London Borough of Hounslow, there are a variety of schemes available to assist you.
How can I contact a Housing Adviser?
If you need advice and you are a tenant, or living with a relative, friend or other 'resident landlord' (with whom you share main facilities such as toilet, kitchen, bathroom) please ring the Housing Advice Telephone Helpline on 020 8583 3844. Please note that this service is available only at the following times:
Monday 4pm – 7 pm
Wednesday 1pm – 4 pm
Friday 10am – 1pm
Housing Advice Team
Private Sector Housing Unit
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Telephone: 0208 583 3844
Fax: 020 8583 3990
Homelessness
Support Groups
Day Centres
Deposits
Free food
Private Sector Leasing