At risk of homelessness

If you're worried about your housing situation

Use our online self-help tool to get advice straight away.

Just answer a few questions about your situation and it will explain your housing options and tell you what to do next.

You will get information about:

• how to solve problems affecting your housing situation
• what to do if you have been asked to leave your property
• finding somewhere else to live
• how the council may be able to help you avoid becoming homeless

You might get the following help to keep your home:

• We will first try to prevent you from becoming homeless, for example, by talking to your landlord
• If we're unable to prevent you becoming homeless within 56 days, and you're eligible for council help, we will try to relieve the risk of your homelessness
• This could be an offer of a placement in emergency or temporary accommodation whilst we help you secure longer-term housing in the private rented sector

Whilst we will consider your household circumstances, it is likely that any emergency, temporary or longer-term accommodation offered will not be within Enfield or London. The two main reasons for this are that:

• demand for private rental homes far exceeds supply
• we have to be sure that you can afford to pay the rent, but most private sector rents are unaffordable for people on benefits or a low income. For more information, read our new approach to homelessness statement

Our Housing Advisory Service

Tel: 020 3821 1769
Email: housingadviceservice@enfield.gov.uk

If you're struggling to pay your housing costs

If you need help with your housing costs, see cost of living support.

Homeless or at risk of homelessness

If you are worried about becoming homeless, you can use our online housing advice service.

A person is threatened with homelessness if they:

• are likely to become homeless in 56 days
• have received a valid notice to quit (S21 notice)
• have received a notice that their landlord requires possession of accommodation (NOSP) which expires within 56 days

If you're threatened with homelessness and are eligible for help, we can help to prevent your homelessness. You can find more details on who is eligible by visiting Shelter - Council housing: immigration and habitual residence conditions. If you’re subject to immigration control, you will be asked for further information to determine what type of assistance can be offered.

A person could be homeless if they:

• have no home in the UK or elsewhere that they have a legal right to occupy
• have a movable home, such as a boat or caravan, and there is nowhere it can be placed legally
• are at risk of harm if they stay in their current home

If you think you may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, we may be able to help you to stay in your home or move to another home. The earlier you contact us the more we'll be able to help.

If you're homeless and eligible, we'll look at whether you have local connections in the area including:

• how long you've lived in the area
• if you're employed in the area
• if you have close family in the area
• other special circumstances

If you don't have a local connection to Enfield, we may refer your application to the council you have a local connection with.

We will carry out an assessment of your circumstances to help us understand your situation and what help and support you need. We will complete a personal housing support plan to set out what you need to do and what we will do to help you. Over the course of your application we will update you with what we are doing. You will also need to contact us regularly to let us know what you have done from your personal housing support plan.

We will first try to prevent you from becoming homeless. This may include talking to your landlord, mortgage lender or family to find a way to resolve your current threat of homelessness. We may also refer you to other organisations for help with your current housing or to find alternative accommodation. If we're unable to prevent your homelessness within 56 days, we will try to relieve your homelessness. This may be with an offer of private rented accommodation or placement into temporary accommodation whilst we help you secure longer term accommodation. See our advice on how to find a property to rent.

For information about what duties you may be owed, visit Shelter - Local authority homelessness duties.

Emergency and temporary accommodation

In certain circumstances, we may have a duty to provide you with emergency or temporary accommodation.

Whilst we will consider your household situation, it is likely that any emergency or temporary accommodation offered will not be within Enfield or London.

If we offer you suitable emergency or temporary accommodation and you refuse it, we will not be required to make you another offer.

This type of accommodation is only suitable for households in extreme crisis and not a path to social rented housing.

If you qualify for the main housing duty from us because you are eligible and in priority need, we will find you a suitable home in the private rented sector.

Whilst we will consider your household circumstances, it is likely any suitable privately rented housing we offer you will not be within Enfield or London. The two main reasons for this are:

• demand for private rental homes far exceeds supply due to the national housing crisis and rising cost of living
• we have to be sure that residents can afford to pay the rent, but most rents are unaffordable for people on benefits or a low income

We must house homeless households where accommodation is affordable. For more information, read our new approach to homelessness statement and Housing Placement Policy for homeless households.

Moving on from emergency and temporary accommodation

The main option for most people is to find their own suitable home in the private rental sector in an affordable area. Given the shortage of affordable local accommodation, we suggest you broaden your search area as far as possible. We support people who secure their own accommodation through our Find Your Own Home Scheme which provides financial and practical help. Contact your caseworker for more information.

What is emergency and temporary accommodation?

The main types are:

• B&B
• hostels
• privately rented self-contained accommodation
• accommodation managed by the council

Who is responsible for paying the rent?

You are responsible for paying your rent. Emergency and temporary accommodation can be expensive, and Housing Benefit may not cover all your rent. You must keep up to date with your payments and not get into arrears. If you get into arrears, you may be evicted from your accommodation and our duty towards you will end. We can help you claim for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

See benefits and money advice if you are struggling to pay your rent.

See our cost of living support information.

Where will my accommodation be located?

Whilst we will consider your household circumstances, it is likely that any emergency or temporary accommodation offered will not be within Enfield or London. Whenever we offer accommodation, we have to be sure that you can afford to pay the rent. Most rents in Enfield, London and the southeast of England are unaffordable for people on benefits or a low income. For more information, see New Housing Placement Policy for homeless households.

I have a family, why have I been placed in a hotel and how long will I be here?

Like other London boroughs, Enfield is struggling to find affordable rented homes to use as temporary accommodation and settled homes for homeless households. Due to the acute shortage of affordable private rental homes, we have had to use hotels which are not ideal for families. You should stay in a privately owned hotel or B&B for no longer than six weeks. We are doing all we can to move you on to a suitable private rental home in an area you can afford as soon as possible.

I have been in self-contained council secured temporary accommodation for years - when will I get a settled home?

A maximum of two reasonable offers of suitable private rented housing will be made. We will consider your household circumstances in making these offers, including time scale, affordability, household preferences and needs. Given the acute shortage of accommodation for private rent, it is likely that any accommodation offered will not be within Enfield or London. An acceptance of any suitable offer will end the council’s statutory duty. When a second suitable offer is made, the household will be notified in writing and the council’s statutory duty will be formally ended, whether the offer is accepted or refused. Alternatively, you can secure a private rental home of your choice via our move on support scheme, Find Your Own Home.

What does the council’s Housing Placement Policy for homeless households mean for me?

The current housing crisis has forced the council to change its policy on securing privately rented homes for homeless households. We cannot secure enough homes in London and the southeast of England that are affordable. This means that we will be finding homes for homeless families in parts of the country that are affordable to people on low incomes. We will make a maximum of two offers of accommodation before discharging our duty towards you.

What if my household circumstances mean I need to live in Enfield or as near to it as possible?

Given the severe shortage of rented properties, the following groups are more likely to be made a more local offer of accommodation:

• Households with children in their final year of GCSEs or A levels
• Households with members who are registered carers in receipt of carer’s allowance and provide care for a member of the family who is not part of the household but who resides in Enfield
• People who have a severe and enduring physical or mental health condition requiring regular specialist care that a move from Enfield and its vicinity would significantly disrupt

Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance of my temporary accommodation?

Most accommodation is managed by an accredited agent. You can find details of the agent on your licence agreement. Contact the agent to report repairs in the first instance.

What do I do about belongings and furniture storage?

See furniture storage for details.

What do I do if I experience noise, nuisance, or antisocial behaviour in my temporary accommodation?

Contact your housing provider or the Police. For more information, see antisocial behaviour.

Contact your case worker if you have any further questions or call 020 8379 4523.

Find Your Own Home Scheme

Our Find Your Own Home scheme gives residents in emergency or temporary accommodation the opportunity to secure a suitable, affordable private rental home of their choice.

You are eligible for the scheme if:

• you are living in emergency or temporary accommodation
• you have found a private rental property that you like
• you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
• you believe you can afford to pay the rent, but need financial help with upfront costs such as a deposit or rent in advance
• the property of your choice passes our checks that it is safe, and you can afford to rent it

The benefits for you are:

• an opportunity for a fresh start and a new home
• flexibility and choice of where you want to live anywhere in the UK

Support available:

• Training on how to sustain your tenancy, manage your money and secure employment
• One month’s rent paid in advance, one month’s deposit (or an incentive paid directly to a landlord or agent), and help with relocation costs
• Practical support to help you secure the private rent home of your choice such as rent negotiation and document checking
• Aftercare service to help you sustain your tenancy

How to take advantage of the scheme

You don’t have to register or sign up for the scheme if you meet the eligibility conditions. However, do not pay any money or sign any agreements without contacting your caseworker first. They can sort out the tenancy agreement on your behalf - and payments such as a deposit or rent in advance.

If you have found a suitable private rental property you like, email housingsolutions@enfield.gov.uk and add the words ‘found a property’ to the subject line and a member of our team will be in touch.

If you would like more information, speak to your caseworker.

Our partnership with Beam to help you find a new home outside of London

Beam is a social enterprise that supports people into jobs and homes. It does this through its innovative crowdfunding platform and personalised support. Crowdfunding is where a group of people raise money online for a cause - in Beam’s case, to help homeless people with:

• Funding to secure a home - first month’s rent, deposit, furniture and moving van
• Practical help - Beam support worker, property search and completion of property paperwork

For more information, visit Beam or contact your caseworker.

Sleeping rough

If you‘re sleeping rough or know someone who is, you should visit StreetLink or call them on 0300 500 0914. Street Link is not an emergency service, so if the person you are concerned about needs urgent medical assistance, call 999.

Other organisations you can contact for help and advice:

• St Mungo's
• Crisis
• Shelter

In extreme or severe weather conditions, rough sleepers will be offered emergency accommodation if the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius or below overnight. If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough during a period of severe cold weather, send an alert to StreetLink. If you're unable to log on to the website, you can raise an alert by phoning them on 0300 500 0914.

Homeless due to violence or abuse

If you're homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of violence or abuse, we can provide help and advice. If you're:

• an Enfield Council tenant - contact your tenancy manager or call 0800 40 80 160
• in temporary accommodation - contact your property manager or call 020 8379 1000
• a housing association tenant - contact your housing association
• a private tenant or owner - contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
• aged 16 to 17 - contact the Angel Centre on 020 8379 5800
• under 16 - contact Children's Services on 020 8379 1000

If you're at immediate risk of violence, call 999. In non-emergency situations call 101. You can contact us on 020 3821 1769. If you’re unable to remain in your accommodation and our service is closed, you should contact our out of hours service on 020 8379 1000.

If you're fleeing domestic violence, we consider any action you have taken so far, such as contacting the police. Other available options will then be looked at and organisations that support victims of domestic violence will be contacted for help in looking for a refuge. For example, the National Domestic Violence Helpline.

If we're satisfied that a duty is owed, emergency accommodation will be provided until enquiries have been completed. In order to qualify for emergency accommodation, there must be no restriction on your rights to reside that prohibit you from accessing accommodation through us. You must also meet one of the criteria for being eligible for temporary accommodation.

Useful contacts

Police

• In an emergency, always call 999
• For non-emergency reports, call 101

National Domestic Violence Helpline

• The National Domestic Violence Helpline operates 24 hours a day on freephone 0808 2000 247. The helpline can provide details of refuge accommodation across the UK and services in your local area.

Solace Women's Aid

• Solace Women's Aid Advice Service offers information, advice and support for domestic and sexual violence. Call the advice line on 0808 802 5565 or visit Solace Women's Aid.

Enfield Muslim Women's Aid

• Enfield Muslim Women's Aid provides services for the relief of women and their children who have suffered or are at risk of suffering domestic violence or abuse. It focuses particularly but not exclusively on Muslim women in Enfield and the surrounding area. The charity provides accommodation, support
  and advice. Call Enfield Muslim Women's Aid on 020 8920 3565.

Enfield Saheli

• Enfield Saheli offers support and advice to women in Enfield and neighbouring London boroughs. The charity is run by women for women, with special emphasis on support for Asian women of all ethnicities. They provide qualified bilingual counselling in Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu and Punjabi. Call Enfield Saheli on 020 8373 6218 or visit Enfield Saheli.

Victim support

• Victim Support can offer advice and support if you have been a victim of crime or affected by a crime committed against someone you know. Their services are free and available to everyone, regardless of if the crime has been reported or when it happened. Call Victim Support Enfield on 0845 450 4443.

Safeguarding adults

• Enfield Adult Abuse Helpline - 020 8379 5212
• Broken Rainbow (LGBT helpline) - 0300 999 5428
• Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327
• National Centre for Domestic Violence (for civil legislation advice and support) - 0844 8044 999

Visit our domestic abuse page for more information.

Care leavers

If you're homeless and are a care leaver under the age of 25, you will need to speak with your personal advisor. Together we will make a plan on how to resolve your homelessness. We will be able to provide you with advice and carry out referrals to young adult organisations for housing assistance.

You may be entitled to a deposit with help from the leaving care team.

Useful contacts

• Christian Action is a housing association that assists young people with advice and accommodation
• Origin assist single non-priority homeless people and students aged 18 and over in housing need or considered to be vulnerable with low support needs and a local connection to Enfield

Find out about support we offer for children entering or leaving care.

Leaving the armed forces

When you know you are going to leave the armed forces and will be in need of accommodation, you should start exploring your options as soon as possible. This can be as early as six months before you leave when the Ministry of Defence gives you a certificate of cessation of entitlement, which has the date you will stop being entitled to forces accommodation. We will carry out an assessment of your circumstances to determine what type of help may be offered.

Other organisations you can approach for help with your housing issues:

• Veterans' Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support. This service is for veterans and their families to connect with the help, advice and support they need from a network of organisations. The team of advisors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and many are veterans themselves. Telephone: 0808 802 1212.
• SSAFA provides practical and emotional support for serving personnel, veterans and military families across the UK and worldwide

Leaving hospital

We can help and advise you if you’re going into hospital, or have already been admitted and think you will not have suitable accommodation to return to when you are discharged.

We can help with:

• trying to prevent you from becoming homeless
• making your accommodation more suitable
• helping you move in a planned way
• looking at alternative housing options

You should get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity if you know you’re going to be admitted to hospital and think your accommodation will no longer be suitable.

If you are in hospital

Your hospital is required to notify us if they consider you to be homeless or at risk of homelessness. With your consent they can make a referral to us, providing details of how we can contact you.

Once we receive a completed referral, our Shelter team will contact you to provide advice and assistance.

If you receive Housing Benefit you can continue to receive this for up to 52 weeks while you are receiving care in hospital, as long as:

• you usually live in the accommodation that you’re temporarily away from
• you intend to return to this accommodation when you’re discharged from hospital
• you don’t rent out (sublet) your accommodation whilst you're away

If you’re in receipt of Universal Credit you can receive this for up to six months. You must inform Universal Credit if you become an inpatient in hospital and when you are discharged from hospital.

Leaving prison

If you're in custody and already have accommodation you are renting, there are steps you should take to try to make sure you don’t lose this.

If you receive Housing Benefit to assist you in paying your rent, you must tell the Housing Benefit service if you’re:

• remanded into custody
• sentenced
• released

You will only get Housing Benefit to help towards your rent if you intend to return home when you're released from prison. You may get Housing Benefit if you're remanded into custody, sent to prison or given home detention curfew. How long you get Housing Benefit for depends on your circumstances.

If you're on bail and need to live elsewhere, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help pay the rent on your normal home until your court hearing, for up to 52 weeks.

If you're serving a prison sentence, your partner can claim Housing Benefit to pay the rent on your home if they're living in the property.

If you're not in receipt of Housing Benefit you will need to make a new claim.

If you receive Universal Credit whilst on remand, on bail or sentenced, you can continue to get the housing cost element of Universal Credit for up to six months. However, once you are sentenced you will not get Universal Credit if you are likely to be in prison for more than six months, including time already spent on remand or awaiting sentencing.

Also, you will not get help with housing costs if they were not included in your Universal Credit claim before you were sentenced.

Whilst in prison

You should continue to pay your rent and other essential bills such as Council Tax. If you'll be homeless when you leave prison, you should start exploring your housing options as soon as you know you're going to be released.

If you're in prison, the prison is required to notify us if they consider you to be homeless or threatened with homelessness. With your consent they can make a referral to us providing details of how we can contact you.

New Housing Placement Policy for homeless households

The current housing crisis has forced the council to change its policy on securing privately rented homes for homeless households.

There are not enough available homes for rent in London and the southeast of England that are affordable. This is resulting in homeless households being housed in emergency accommodation such as hotels.

Supporting our residents to access affordable, good quality housing is a priority for the council.

As a result, we will be finding settled, suitable accommodation for homeless households in parts of the country that are affordable for people on low incomes.

Rising private sector rents

Recent private sector rent rises are not covered by Local Housing Allowance (LHA) which is used to work out how much Housing Benefit households receive. LHA has been frozen since 2020.

We must be sure that homeless households can afford to pay their rent, but almost all rents in the borough and London are now unaffordable for people on benefits or a low income.

The table below sets out the monthly LHA rates for Enfield, the average private rent in 2021 and 2022 and the overall increase.

Source: Enfield Local Insight: Hamptons

Our new approach to housing placements

We can only place homeless households where there is affordable accommodation.

This will be in locations where rents and LHA rates are more closely aligned and so are affordable for residents.

Whilst we will consider homeless households’ circumstances, it is likely that any emergency, temporary or longer-term accommodation will not be within Enfield or London.

Given the severe shortage of rented properties, the following groups are more likely to be made a more local offer of accommodation:

• Households with children in their final year of GCSEs or A levels
• Households with members who are registered carers in receipt of carer’s allowance and provide care for a member of the family who is not part of the household but who resides in Enfield
• People who have a severe and enduring physical or mental health condition requiring regular specialist care that a move from Enfield and its vicinity would significantly disrupt.

Read our Housing Placement Policy (PDF, 271.24 KB) for homeless households.