If you are looking for a place to live, or you have been kicked out or are homeless, look in the "Housing / Homeless?" section.
in this section
Need some support where you live?
Tenancy agreements, bonds and rent books
Rent, bills and benefits
Furniture and decorating
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Carbon monoxide poisoning
Problems with where you live?
For Contact Details see our A-Z
You may be moving into a new room, flat or house. You could be on your own, or sharing with friends or new people. You may be starting out as part of a new couple or family. It may be that you are living in temporary accommodation while you are on the housing list, but want to get things ready for when you have a permanent place.
Whatever your circumstances you will have rights and responsibilities. That is, there are laws that protect you as a tenant, and there are things you have to take responsibility for to make sure you are able keep your place, and hopefully make it a home.
NEED SOME SUPPORT WHERE YOU LIVE?
Living independently can be difficult, especially if it's your first time, or if you haven't had a home of your own for some time. You might want support in practical things, for example because you are having problems with rent, benefits or arrears, or need help with budgeting and other skills. You might need someone to talk to about personal stuff, or to ask about other services that can help you.
If you need some help, for example understanding letters you have been sent, filling in forms, applying for benefits or sorting out bills, call in at Castlegate and speak to a worker. They can also help with your legal rights, debt problems etc.
Tenancy support schemes
For longer term support, the following schemes can all offer help from a tenancy support worker. This will depend on your circumstances, and where you are living. This might be in temporary accommodation through the Council, a permanent tenancy through the Council or a Housing Association, or in private rented accommodation. For any of the following you would need to be referred by another agency e.g. Castlegate, the Pathway Team, Customer Advice Centre or a Connexions PA.
• Scarcroft Project has support for 7 young people while in temporary Council accommodation or in a permanent tenancy with either Council, Housing Association or in private rented. (They also have a supported accommodation project, see here).
For Contact Details see our A-Z
• Flexible Support Scheme - (run by York Housing Association) for any tenant living in Housing Association, Council or private rented accommodation.
Foundation (formerly Foundation Housing) run the following four schemes. For Contact Details see our A-Z
• Independent Living Scheme - which gives support to young people 16-25 in Council, Housing Association or private rented accommodation.
• Teenage parent support scheme - for young mums or parents to be aged 16-18. You can get help with accessing accommodation as well as tenancy issues, coping with parenting, budgeting, going to baby/toddler groups and meeting others.
• Offender Scheme - offering help with accessing accommodation as well as tenancy issues, budgeting etc. For offenders or those at risk of offending.
• Drug Misuse Floating Support Scheme - offers tenancy support to people 18+ who have a drug problem.
York Pathway Team (Children and Family Services) - if you were in care past your 16th birthday, you can contact them for information, advice and support about housing or any other issue until you are 21.
If you are 16/17 you will need a support worker before you are offered a permanent tenancy by either the Council or a Housing Association, though this could be for example a Connexions PA, or one of the support schemes above.
If you are in temporary accommodation (at any age) you'll have a support worker from either Howe Hill or Ordnance Lane. You should be referred by Customer Advice Centre. It's important that you meet up with them regularly otherwise it can affect your accommodation.
Council and Housing Association tenants can also contact their estate manager for support, or ask to be referred to a tenant support worker.
CAB offer tenancy support to people with their Bond Guarantee Scheme. see here. You can also get advice about your tenancy from the CAB's general advisers.
Introductory tenancies
If you are given a Council tenancy, the first 12 months will be an 'introductory tenancy'. During this time you'll be visited by your estate manager to check everything is okay. If you are not keeping to the rules of your tenancy (e.g. by not paying rent, causing a nuisance, taking in lodgers, damaging the property or not letting your estate manager in to make checks) you can be evicted quite quickly, and will find it very hard to be rehoused. They should, however, offer you support to sort problems out so you don't lose your place.
If the Council write to you saying they want to kick you out, you'll be asked to a 'review meeting'. Get advice as soon as possible from Castlegate or HARP, and turn up to the meeting to put your side of the story and try and reach an agreement. Once it goes to court it will be too late to stop the eviction taking place whilst you are still under an introductory tenancy. For Contact Details see our A-Z
Tenancy agreements, bonds and rent books
When moving into private rented accommodation, you should be given a tenancy agreement. Read it through first and if you're not sure of anything, get it checked out first, if you can. It will probably be an 'Assured Shorthold' which means you can't be made to leave in the first six months unless you break the agreement (e.g. don't pay the rent or damage the property). See here about tenants rights.
Sometimes you will not be given anything in writing - but either way you still have important rights and should get help from Castlegate or HARP if you have any problems with your landlord. For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you pay a bond, get a receipt showing the amount and also that it is returnable. If you can't afford it, the landlord may accept a bond guarantee instead. Citizens Advice Bureau run a Bond Guarantee Scheme (BGS). See here. Make sure you are given a rent book and have it signed whenever you pay rent.
If you move into a house with others, ask the landlord to give you all individual tenancy agreements rather than a joint tenancy, if possible. Put all your names on any gas bills etc., so you are jointly liable.
Rent, bills and benefits
As well as rent, you will have to pay for gas, electricity, phone, water, sewerage rates and Council tax, unless your rent includes these things. Ask the landlord exactly what the rent includes before you take the tenancy on.
If you are on benefits or a low income, then Housing and Council Tax Benefits may be available to cover these, but not to pay bills (or the amount in your rent towards them). You will have to pay these yourself. If you get Housing Benefit it is your responsibility to then pay your rent with it. (You do not need your landlord's permission to claim Housing Benefit and you do not have to tell them you are claiming it if you chose not to). See also: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
If you are responsible for paying any bills, try and make regular payments to even out the cost. Details of payment plans are usually on the back of the bill. If you have a problem paying a bill, contact them. If you do get cut off, reconnecting can be expensive, and so can court costs. See 'money problems' too.
If you have a meter for gas or electricity, take a reading immediately and let the supplier know, or you may end up paying the last tenant's bill. Don't use any payment card left by the last person; you'll be paying into their account. When you move, give the company the last reading and an address to send the bill to, otherwise if you are moving somewhere else in the area they may not reconnect you.
If you use the PayPoint scheme, you can credit your card at various local shops, garages, Post Offices etc. to pay in advance.
Phones can be expensive to install or reconnect, and the phone bill can add up to a small fortune over three months. If you can't afford to run one, consider 'incoming calls only' or a pre-pay mobile phone.
BT now have a subsidised phone service for people on a low income. BT Basic costs £13.20 per 3 months for line rental and includes some free calls. You'll need to be on Income Support, ibJSA or irESA to qualify. For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you are living on your own you will usually need a TV licence. If you are in shared accommodation you may need your own, though you may be entitled to share one with the whole house. The rules are complicated - ask TV Licensing or see their website for details. A one year licence is £142.50 for colour (or £48 for black and white). Budget using direct debit, or through their 'cash payment plan', which allows you to make payments through PayPoint (see above). With the cash payment plan, you pay weekly for 6 months for your first licence. After that you pay fortnightly over 12 months. Call TV licensing or look at tvlicensing.co.uk
When you move into a new place you may be able to get a Community Care Grant or Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund (Jobcentre Plus) to help with the cost of new stuff; depending on your circumstances. Get advice from Castlegate, CAB or your tenant support worker.
Get stuff online for free at York Freecycle. Furniture, kitchen things, bikes and baby equipment etc. are all regularly offered. You'll need an email address and to become a member. Respond quickly to any ads as things go quick, and you usually need to be able to pick things up yourself. If you let them know a little about your situation and why you need it, you'll have more chance of success, especially if you're struggling financially. You can also post up to 3 ads to ask if anyone is getting rid of something you need.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
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You can get used furniture, electrical goods etc from the Community Furniture Store. It is open to anyone, but prices are cheaper if you are on a 'means tested' benefit such as Income Support or Housing Benefit. Call in yourself with proof of benefits (if you have it) or ask someone to refer you - e.g. Castlegate, CAB or Customer Advice Centre. For Contact Details see our A-Z. If you need help with paying for things ask your support worker what funds are available, for example an application to local charities.
If you want to decorate, check with your tenancy agreement and landlord before you start! You might get some rent free weeks for decorating when you move in if it needs it. Ask your landlord.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Every year approximately 50 people die from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Most of these are young people or students sleeping in a room with a faulty gas fire. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu - headaches, sore eyes, sleepiness and sickness.
If you are worried that you or a friend are suffering from this, or if you smell gas get help immediately - ring National Gas Emergency, on 0800 111999 who will send someone out free of charge to check it.
By law, if you live in rented accommodation, your landlord has to have all gas appliances checked and serviced every year and with a new tenancy, by a properly registered person (i.e. with CORGI). The landlord should be able to show you a certificate. If you think they are not doing this, get advice from one of the organisations listed.
PROBLEMS WITH WHERE YOU LIVE
You might have problems in the place you are living, for example:
• the house is damp, has faulty electrics, is a fire hazard, or needs repairs that are not being seen to
• you are being harassed or threatened by your landlord or the other tenants
• your landlord goes into your room/home without your permission (though you must allow reasonable access)
• you are being evicted or told to leave
• you can't get the deposit/bond back when you leave
You have rights to protect you as a tenant. If you share living space with your landlord, s/he has to give you 'reasonable notice' to quit.
If your landlord lives elsewhere, you have to be given correct written notice, and if you refuse, s/he then has to go to court. In either situation, stay put, and get advice or support from one of the places below. (If you are a Council tenant contact your estate manager first). Otherwise get advice from Castlegate, CAB, Customer Advice Centre or one of the following.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
HARP - free, confidential advice on housing or homeless problems.
Housing Standards and Adaptations Team - if you're in private rented accommodation and are being harassed or threatened by your landlord, you can contact Housing Standards for advice. They may be able to contact your landlord on your behalf. If you're worried about the health and safety of your accommodation you can also report it to them and they may be able to take action. For Contact Details see our A-Z
York Mediation Service - offer mediation if you are having problems at home, or have been thrown out. They can also help if you live independently and have problems with people living nearby (you or your neighbours need to be in a Council property). It is free, voluntary and confidential.
Shelterline run a recorded helpline for housing problems. They can explain your rights (also at shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights) and help you to take action.
Being taken to court?
If your landlord is taking you to court to get you out of your home (eviction or repossession) there is an independent and free housing adviser from HARP at York County Court on housing possession days. It is best to get advice beforehand from Castlegate, CAB or HARP but otherwise you can see them on the day at court. For Contact Details see our A-Z