Covid-19 and Housing – where are we now? Some universities have set up crowdfunding pages to raise money for students who need financial help during the pandemic. Contact the housing department at your local council as soon as you can and ask to make a, If you are not sure which council you fall under, you can. You can only end a fixed term tenancy early if your tenancy agreement has a break clause or you negotiate an early end to the agreement with your landlord. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. Maybe you were on a zero hours contract and / or your employer’s business has closed. If you feel that you are being abused and need to talk to someone, there are organisations open – use our search tool below. UC can include a claim for help with your housing costs, including rent payments. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. This means that even if your landlord has obtained a possession order from the court, bailiffs will not currently be able to evict you from your home. Check if you have insurance that will cover your mortgage payments instead. Use our Support Near You tool to find services and organisations who can help you now. Aged 16-25? Find out more about what help you may be able to get. They might not be able to get the problem fixed during the usual timescales but shouldn’t delay repairs unreasonably. You will be contacted by the court if this happens and you will be told if there is to be a court hearing. COVID-19 has pushed many people to the brink of homelessness. The Welsh Government currently expects councils to do all that they can to help you if you are at risk of sleeping rough, for example because you are: If you are in this situation and the council says it cannot help you get advice straight away. Shelter Cymru yw’r elusen yng Nghymru ar gyfer pobl a chartrefi. These steps still apply during the coronavirus pandemic. You should follow Welsh Government guidance on social distancing during a viewing, wear a face mask and try to make sure no one is in the property when you view it. If you have to leave because of abuse or threats of abuse, contact your local council, they should be able to help you with finding somewhere to stay. If you are sofa surfing it might be hard for you to keep to the rules about social distancing and staying indoors. India reported nearly 55,000 new coronavirus cases on Sunday and Japan recorded more than 1,500 for a second day, while Florida was braced for a tropical storm that threatened to hamper efforts to combat the disease. You normally have to allow your landlord access to carry out repairs but you can ask your landlord to postpone any repairs which are not urgent. If, after an online viewing, you remain interested in a property it is usually a good idea to visit the property in person before you sign a contract. If you are struggling to pay, see our advice above. Our statement on coronavirus - Shelter Cymru Our statement on coronavirus 16/03/2019 We know a lot of tenants are worried about how they will be able to pay their rent during the coronavirus pandemic. If you want to leave your tenancy early because of coronavirus (for example, you are a student and have had to return home to be with your family), you must make sure you end your tenancy correctly. You might qualify for benefits or financial help if: you lose your job; you can’t work because you’re sick or self isolating; your pay goes down because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out more on the Trussell Trust website. The Welsh Government said it would keep its own six-month notice period, due to expire in September, "under review". You might be able to come to an agreement or negotiate a reduction in your rent. 23 May: Welsh Government works with Shelter Cymru to develop digital campaign on Housing Advice during COVID-19 to assist those seeking advice related to different housing issues. Your landlord can still try and increase your rent during the coronavirus outbreak but they must use the right procedure to do so. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Chief executive of Shelter Cymru, Ruth Power said: The Covid-19 crisis has created unprecedented stress and hardship for people privately renting across Wales. Coronavirus - Shelter Cymru Many people are worried about coronavirus and how it could affect their housing. 17 April: … You may be able to get an Emergency Assistance Payment from the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) to help cover essential expenses as a last resort. Make sure any agreement you make is put in writing (a text or email is fine). Police can still come to your home. Follow @DWP on Twitter for up to date information. Visit our dedicated page Coronavirus : advice for young people. Use the sample text below to help you put together an email or text. You can move home but you must try to do as much of the process online as possible and follow current Welsh Government guidance. Homes for all Cymru make the case for good homes to be central to the national recovery plan. You could offer to show the property to new tenants through a virtual viewing on your phone. Most claims for universal credit are made online. Covid-19 and housing – where are we now? Use the extra time the emergency laws have given you to try and get on top of things. To find out more about applying for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic click here. If you rent a room in a shared house or house in multiple occupation (HMO), your landlord or agent can arrange viewings of empty rooms but must follow the Welsh Government guidance. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law. If you are having problems with your rent, contact your landlord as soon as you can. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123, their lines are always open and you can talk to them about anything. Contact your landlord as soon as you can and explain your situation. We welcome any additional steps by the Welsh Government to reduce the risk of private tenants becoming homeless. Worried about paying your mortgage? Click here for more details about how to apply. Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. Part of: Renting a home: coronavirus; First published: 15 May 2020. Click here for more details about how to apply. You can also look at the Welsh Government information leaflet for rough sleepers. Homeless or worried about becoming homeless during the pandemic? Find out more about the fund and make an application online here. Yes. Advice and assistance continues to be available through our Freephone Shelter Cymru Live service on 08000 495 495 open 9.30am - 4.00pm … Read our advice on how to deal with mortgage arrears. You still need to pay your rent if you can, otherwise you could be evicted. To read our full advice about dealing with rent arrears, click here. For example, mortgage payment protection insurance or through your current account. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. If you do not have anywhere to live you should contact your local council or your support worker as soon as you can. living in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Unlawful eviction and harassment can have serious negative consequences for families and individuals. Call Childline on 0800 1111 or call 999 if you are in immediate danger. This includes those delivered from the offices of other organisations as well as those delivered from its own offices. If you feel it is not safe to stay at home but you have nowhere to go, get help from your local council’s homelessness department. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. It is illegal for your  landlord to make you leave without giving you the right amount of notice or getting a court order. Contact your local food bank if you need help with food. Jun 2020. your pay goes down because of the COVID-19 outbreak. If someone in your home is self isolating, Welsh Government guidance says repairs should only be carried out if there’s a serious problem that poses a direct risk to people’s safety, for example emergency plumbing. Please give £10 today and help us to continue to support as many people as we can during this difficult time. The loan will be paid direct to your landlord and will have to be paid back within 5 years. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Find out more about the scheme here and to make an application, click here. The police raided the shelter because the commission had received a complaint from a resident of the home, a press released issued by Ms Maliwal's office said. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The council should help you make a homelessness application and, if you are sleeping rough, or at risk of finding yourself on the street, they should give you emergency accommodation. Find contact details for your local council here. Landlords have the same responsibilities for repairs during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find out more about illegal evictions here. Call the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800 (free and confidential) or visit Welsh Women’s Aid advice page on Safety and Self-Care Advice for Survivors in Isolation. To keep our advice team safe, our advisers are now working from home. Emergency laws mean that, in most cases, you are entitled to 6 months notice before your landlord can apply to court to evict you. If you are struggling to pay your rent there might be some financial help available. You shouldn’t view a property in person if you’re self isolating or you have symptoms. Text HOME to 70480* to give £10 or click here to make a single or regular donation. © Copyright - www.sheltercymru.org.uk 2017, Safety and Self-Care Advice for Survivors in Isolation, are in rent arrears because of coronavirus, not already receiving housing benefit or universal credit housing costs, a temporary break in your bills or debt arrangements. If you are having problems paying your rent because of coronavirus, you must tell your landlord as soon as you can. Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. Mortgage lenders are allowing borrowers to apply for a ‘payment holiday’ of up to 6 months during the pandemic. Any move should be delayed. 6.1K likes. Things you will need for this course: A quiet space; A pen and paper for making notes; Speakers or earphones to hear the presentation; Accompanying notes ; What we will cover: Coronavirus Act 2020; Worried about paying your rent? Your landlord must give … Men can contact the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010327 and The Dyn Project in Wales. Allocation of social housing in Swansea. Does your landlord want you to leave because of coronavirus? To find out when there is an adviser in your area, visit advice near you and find your local area. Shelter Cymru is Wales’ people and homes charity. Tell your landlord or agent if you are self-isolating or have symptoms of coronavirus. If staying at home puts you or your family at risk of abuse from someone else in the household, you should get help. Annual gas safety checks remain an important legal requirement but they should be rearranged if they cannot go ahead safely because someone in your home is self isolating. If you want to leave your tenancy early because of coronavirus, you must make sure you end your tenancy correctly. Shelter Cymru operate numerous advice centres and surgeries across Wales. If you have any information to add to this map, please e-mail: cymorthcymunedol@gwynedd.llyw.cymru . What if I received a notice from my landlord before the 29 September 2020? If you are working age and on a low income you might be able to apply for universal credit. Your local council will still be able to help you. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. COVID-19 guide for parents What you need to … What to do if you are worried about being evicted and if you are being threatened with eviction. If you are worried about your gas or electricity bills, contact your supplier as soon as you can. Click here for more details. From 18 March 2020, Shelter Cymru is closed to all face to face advice surgeries and sessions until further notice. Rydym yn ymddiheuro na fedrwn ddarparu’r wybodaeth yma yn Gymraeg, ond os hoffech siarad ag ymgynghorydd yn Gymraeg yna cysylltwch ar 08000 495 495. You will still be responsible for paying your rent if you don’t. Includes advice … Financial assistance – what is … For more support with money, have a look at the Money Advice Service coronavirus support page. You should report repairs by phone, email or online. They have had some support from Shelter Cymru, which says Covid-19 has exposed "huge inequalities". Safety when … Worried about paying your mortgage? If you need to collect your belongings from a tenancy that you have already moved out of, take a look at this Welsh Government, If you have a tenancy agreement, then your landlord cannot just ask you to leave, they must follow. Read about access to your rented home for repairs here. With unlawful evictions on the rise in Wales since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, this course seeks to provide you with information and practical guidance on recognising unlawful evictions and harassment and how these issues can be dealt with by tenants in the private rented sector. This is called a ‘Reactivation Notice’. You might be able to get help or an exemption from paying your council tax. From physical and mental health, to the ability to work and learn from home, the pandemic has exposed far reaching inequalities and a lack of investment in homes. Eviction during the coronavirus pandemic. If possible, ask for a suitable alternative self-contained space until you are fully recovered. If you are not getting benefits you might be able to claim universal credit which can include help towards paying your rent. Even though you have a roof over your head you are still classed as homeless and your local council should be able to help you. If you are getting universal credit or housing benefit you might be able to apply for a discretionary housing payment to help with your housing costs. have tested positive for coronavirus and/or, been told to self isolate by the NHS Track & Trace system, makes you leave without the right notice or a court order, feel unwell and think you may have coronavirus, due to leave prison or hospital but have no where safe to go. See Citizens Advice for more information on: If you are vulnerable, homeless or need emergency help phone your local Jobcentre Plus. Chat to one of our advisers using our instant messaging service, Call our expert housing helpline on 08000 495 495, This page was last updated on: January 11, 2021. You can only end a fixed term tenancy early if your tenancy agreement has a break clause or you negotiate an early end to the agreement with your landlord. If you are not feeling safe at home, you must get help. Home / Course / Covid-19 and Housing – where are we now? When you call 999, an operator will ask which emergency service you need. you can’t work because you’re sick or self isolating. Anyone who comes to carry out repairs should follow Welsh Government guidance on social distancing. Remember to report any changes to your income to the housing benefit department or the DWP through your online UC journal. If you share your accommodation with others, for example, you rent a shared house, are staying in a hostel, or are sofa-surfing, you must tell those you live with if you: Try to avoid visiting shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas as much as possible. Make sure any agreement you make is in writing. Other benefits It is okay to feel frightened and worried. See Public Health Wales for up to date health advice. Delete or change parts marked with an *. It is important that you continue to pay your rent if possible. Possession proceedings – the old and the new; … COVID-19 and conflict – a deadly combination The pandemic has deepened acute food insecurity in countries already under intense strain, leaving millions of children at risk of famine Read the story. Can I stop prospective new tenants viewing my home? This report offers a deep dive into … NHS 111 Wales HealthWellbeingAndSupport - Shelter Cymru. Applications are currently being treated more flexibly until the 31 March 2021. It is illegal for your landlord to evict you without following the proper steps. You currently do not have to go to the Jobcentre or any medical assessments in relation to your claim. If your landlord tries to evict you or is harassing you or your family, get advice urgently. This means our helpline is still open but operating with reduced capacity and there is now a queue limit time of 8 minutes. Shelter Cymru said private renters were among the hardest-hit by the pandemic. Covid-19 has demonstrated the importance of a good home. If you are feeling anxious or stressed during this difficult time there are helplines that can support you. Link. Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. 63 were here. For up to date Welsh Government guidance on self-isolating in shared accommodation, click here. Notices from before 29 September 2020 could still be valid depending on the type of tenancy you have, the notice you received and when you were given it. Shelter Cymru has published statistics that show the extent to which each local authority across Wales needs more social homes - in Pembrokeshire there are 3,823 households on the waiting list for a social home but only 101 were built last year. Some landlords can apply for a break in mortgage payments if their tenants are struggling to pay rent due to coronavirus, but this won’t always be possible. Help with paying your council tax and other bills, © Copyright - www.sheltercymru.org.uk 2017. Once you’re done, click copy text to clipboard. Keep up to date with current coronavirus advice in Wales on Meic and Gov.Wales. Negotiating a reduction in your rent because of coronavirus - Shelter Cymru If you are having problems paying your rent because of coronavirus, you must tell your landlord as soon as you can. If you are worried about getting in to debt during this time Shelter Cymru provides free, independent, confidential, specialist debt advice across Wales. Read more . Universal credit If you are working age and on a … Get advice straight away if you receive any letters from the court. To find out what to do if you think you have symptoms, please visit Coronavirus symptom checker.Or visit our encyclopaedia page, which has general information and includes a BSL video.. Convenient online courses Shelter Cymru’s training courses and resources are accessible online at any time, from anywhere. For more advice on what to do if you are already claiming benefits or how to claim benefits, click here. See the current Welsh Government advice and FAQs. Shelter Cymru yw’r elusen yng Nghymru ar gyfer pobl a chartrefi. Mae COVID-19 wedi gwthio llawer o bobl yn agos at ddigartrefedd. There are some exceptions, including cases of anti-social behaviour, trespass or domestic violence. So if your organisation has people working from home or in settings where social distancing is necessary, this could be an opportunity to invest in their skills and knowledge. Wales' housing minister says she is "absolutely determined" homeless people will not have to go back on to the streets after the coronavirus pandemic. Financial assistance – what is available out there? Find out more about the self-isolation payment here. Your landlord may be sympathetic to your request to leave if they understand your reasons. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law. You must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit to apply. You should still pay your rent while you are waiting to be contacted by the court. Your landlord can only start court action once your notice period ends. We are committed to keeping you and our advisers safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic and we … Use this sample wording to put together a letter, text or email to your landlord or agent. If you are unable to talk, hold the line until you hear the message “you are through to the police”. Initial property viewings should be done online. If you are facing court action, get urgent advice. There is still lots of help and support available – we’ve given the details of national organisations that can help you below. For example if you’re facing eviction for antisocial behaviour. This includes where : You can find more information about the help you can get paying your council tax here. If your landlord does not serve a notice before the 29 January 2021, the eviction proceedings will be automatically stopped. Court proceedings for eviction were suspended for a period but have now started up again. At Shelter Cymru we share the disappointment of our sister organisation about the UK Government’s over-hyped measures to prevent evictions during the coronavirus outbreak. Viewings should not happen in those circumstances. Lots of young people are struggling because they have lost their jobs or their income has dropped because of the pandemic. Continuing methods of contact . You are not wasting anyone's time. You can also use their Money Navigator Tool to give you an action plan based on your individual circumstances. Many local communities have made arrangements to help individuals who are vulnerable due to Covid-19. NOTE: For general information about COVID-19 visit Welsh Government.For information on the vaccine and its rollout visit Public Health Wales. Click here to see if you can. This could be in the same building. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Last updated: 22 December 2020. A map of where help is avaiable. Many people are worried about coronavirus and how it could affect their housing. Shelter Cymru is Wales’ people and homes charity. Visit our advice pages on domestic abuse for more information. See our pages on harassment and illegal eviction and contact your local council, Rent Smart Wales or the police. For more information on eviction if you are a tenant, see our pages on eviction : court action. 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