Temporary accommodation

If we have placed you in temporary accommodation, what happens next?

Due to extremely high demand for temporary accommodation, the accommodation offered to you is likely to be a hotel, nightly let or hostel which may be situated either inside or outside of the borough.

We will:

  • treat you with respect
  • keep you up to date with your accommodation booking and contact you 3 days before the ‘hotel’ booking is due to end
  • provide you with information on how to claim housing benefit
  • encourage you to join the housing register visit havering.gov.uk and search for ‘apply for council housing’
  • work with you to complete a housing needs assessment
  • contact you about moving to longer term temporary accommodation
  • investigate any concerns you may have about your emergency accommodation

We expect you to:

  • keep us updated with any changes to your personal details or situation by contacting us at hotels@havering.gov.uk and housing.solutions@havering.gov.uk to advise us of any changes
  • claim housing benefit (if you do not complete your housing benefit claim within 28 days your accommodation is at risk)
  • stay at the accommodation we have arranged for you as your main and principal home: not to sub-let your accommodation or to invite anyone else who has not been authorised by the council to occupy your home
  • be respectful to staff and other guests in the hotel at all times 
  • your hotel booking will be ended within 24 hours of alternative available accommodation being provided.

Refusing an offer of accommodation without valid reasons

We will only make one offer of emergency accommodation.

If you refuse any emergency accommodation provided to you or you do not move into the accommodation, we expect you to provide clear reasons why in writing by requesting a review. 

If you wish to request a review you are strongly advised to move in to the accommodation offered to you and request a review of suitability to housingapplicationappeal@havering.gov.uk.

If you do not move in, do not make an appeal, or the review is not found in your favour, you will NOT receive any further offers. The Council’s duty to assist you may end and your homelessness application will be closed; you will have to make your own arrangements. 

Unreasonable behaviour and causing damage to your property

You are expected to keep to the terms and conditions of occupation and not to engage in any behaviour in breach of in breach of the rules given to you during first placement into emergency accommodation. 

Breaching the terms of your licence agreement

If a hotel/nightly let provider advises that they are ending your accommodation due to any breach of their rules, no further accommodation will be provided for you.

Please note that we have zero tolerance regarding unacceptable behaviour.

Move-on placements

We expect you to be making every effort to find and secure accommodation.

We will move you on within a 60 mile radius of Havering and please be aware that no move-on placement will be made until all hostel rent arrears are paid. 

The accommodation is likely to be unfurnished and you should note that you will receive one suitable property offer only.

What can you do to leave temporary accommodation?

Find your own home

We may support you with one month’s deposit and the first months’ rent if you are able to find a property and a landlord who accepts you as a tenant, and it is affordable.

We strongly encourage you to also look for a property yourself.

This will give you greater choice on area and property type.

Go to the Homefinder website to start your search

We can also make referrals to Peabody and your Local Area Co-ordinator who can provide additional support.

We will continue to review your housing needs assessment throughout your time in temporary accommodation.

Contacts for temporary accommodation support

Housing Solutions
Homeless Placement and Move-On
Help and advice

Lighthouse Furniture Project Ltd (second hand furniture)

Havering Emergency Assistance Scheme DABD (Financial Support)
Foodbank – Harold Hill
Foodbank – Rainham
  • 35A New Road, Rainham, RM13 8DR 
  • 01708 397484 or 07428 187545
Beam Up Ltd
Havering Citizens Advice Bureau
Further help with finances

See our financial help page for more support.