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 TV
Licences
Furniture and decorating
Picture
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Problems with where you live?
For Contact Details see our A-Z
INDEPENDENT LIVING
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 a hostel or Social Services Placement 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 make your house into 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
For Contact Details see our A-Z
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 or CAB and speak to a worker. They can also help with your legal rights, debt problems etc. Usually the sooner you deal with things, the quicker and easier it is to sort out, but even if you have left it a long time, it is still worth getting help.
As well as help from the above when you need it, there are also workers from Tenancy Support schemes who can help you longer term to get yourself on the right track and manage things for yourself.
A tenancy support worker is someone who can meet you at your place every week or so to help you sort things out. They can help for example with getting started in your new place, help you deal with bills and benefits, and learn the skills you'll need long term to live independently.
Tenancy support schemes can help whether you are in private rented accommodation, Council or Housing Association property (or won your own home). You may get referred to a tenancy support worker anyway by someone you are working with, but if you would like to sort this out for yourself, call in at Castlegate and speak to a worker about being referred.
Tenancy support schemes are run by Scarcroft, Foundation, York Housing Association and CAB for example. The right one for you will depend on your age and what kind of help you need. As well as general support there are also specialist workers who can help. This might be just because you are still under 18, or you are a young parent. Or it may be because you are struggling to cope with a drugs issue, or at risk of offending. All referrals now get sent to the Single Access Point who can help decide which is the best place, to get the right help as quickly as possible.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you are in temporary accommodation with the Council, you’ll have a support worker. It’s important that you meet up with them regularly otherwise it can affect your accommodation.
If you are a care leaver then the Pathway Team should offer you support about housing or any other issue until you turn 21.
If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant you can also contact your Estate Manager for support, or ask to be referred to a tenancy support worker for longer term help.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
Introductory tenancies and starter tenancies
If you move into a Council property, the first 12 months will be an 'introductory tenancy' (in a Housing Association Property this is called a 'starter 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 you are 16/17 you will need a trustee to sign your tenancy agreement with you. See here.
If the landlord writes to you saying they want to evict you, you'll be asked to a 'review meeting'. Get advice as soon as possible from Castlegate, 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/starter 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 Tenancy' 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 if you have any problems with your landlord. For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you pay a bond/deposit your landlord must be a member of a government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme, that holds the money for you both until the end of the tenancy. The landlord must give you written details of the scheme within 14 days. If you don't get this, get advice from Key House or Castlegate. You should also get a receipt when you hand over the money. More information at shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights. If you can’t afford a bond, the landlord may accept a bond guarantee instead. The Council's Housing Options Team run a Bond Guarantee Scheme. See here. If you are paying your rent by cash or cheque, make sure you are given a rent book and have it signed whenever you pay rent.
your landlord must pay it into a government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme, and give you written details of the scheme within 14 days. If you don't get this, get advice from Key House or Castlegate. You should also get a receipt when you hand over the money. If you can’t afford a bond, the landlord may accept a bond guarantee instead. Customer Advice Centre run a Bond Guarantee Scheme. See here. If you are paying your rent by cash or cheque, 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 Benefit and Council Tax Benefits may be available towards some or all of your rent and Council Tax (but not towards bills). 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. Before taking on a new place make sure the rent is affordable with HB - go to york.gov.uk and search for 'LHA rates'
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 the supplier. 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 - BT Basic - for people on a low income. For Contact Details see our A-Z
If you have a TV, or watch programmes on a computer as they are being shown (streaming rather than e.g. on iplayer) you will usually need a TV licence. You will need a licence if you are in self contained accommodation, and probably if you are in shared accommodation too. More information at tvlicensing.co.uk.
A one year colour licence is £145.50. Budget using direct debit, or with their payment card, which allows you to make payments through PayPoint This lets you pay weekly over 6 months for your first licence (e.g. £5.60pw) The following year you can pay fortnightly over 12 months (e.g. £5.60 per fortnight).
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. 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 per month asking for 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 Services 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.
The Besom works with churches in York, helping people who need it the most, by matching them up with volunteers who want to give their time, skills or things. If there is something you need - for example help with decorating a new flat or a replacement cooker or sofa, ask your support worker to refer you. You'll need to be working with e.g. a tenancy support worker, Children's Centre etc.
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 "Gas Safe"). 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, they have to go to court. In either situation, stay put, and get advice from one of the places below. (If you are a Council tenant contact your estate manager first). Otherwise get advice from Castlegate, CAB, Housing Standards (see below), or the Council's Housing Options Team or one of the following.
For Contact Details see our A-Z
Key House - free, confidential advice on housing 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
Shelterline see here.
Pheby and Co Solicitors see here
The CAB run a Housing Debt Project which can help if you're in danger of losing your home because of rent arrears or debt problems. You'll need to see a general adviser at CAB first who can refer you to the project if needed.
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 Key House at York County Court on housing possession days. It is best to get advice beforehand from Castlegate, CAB or Key House but otherwise you can see them on the day at court. For Contact Details see our A-Z