Asked to leave by family or friends

We can visit your family home to discuss the reasons you have been asked to leave. We may be able to negotiate an extension of the time you are allowed to stay and within that time help you to find suitable alternative accommodation.

We can refer you for mediation services where someone will talk to both you and your parents and try to find compromises and reduce any problems between you.

Notice received from landlord

They can speak to your landlord and try to establish why he has given you notice to leave. It may be possible to solve any difficulties between you by referring to mediation services or by speaking to the Housing Benefit team if there have been any delays in payment.

We can also advise you about the validity of your notice and your legal rights.

Rent arrears from council/housing association or private rented property

It is vitally important that, whatever your debts to other sources, any difficulties you are experiencing in paying your rent should be seen as a priority.

We will talk to your estate manager/landlord on your behalf. They will speak to the Housing Benefit team about your claim and can refer you to Welfare Benefits Advisors to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to in order to maximise your income.

We can also refer you to the Citizens' Advice Bureau where specialist workers will help you to negotiate your debts with lenders.

The Citizens’ Advice Bureau run outreach sessions in the community, a leaflet giving further details of this service can be obtained at Customer Services, Library Square or you can download the CAB leaflet from the right hand side of this page.

The earlier you get help the better but it is never too late – York County Court has a duty advisor run by Keyhouse present at every housing possession day, the advisor will represent you at the court hearing if you do not already have anyone to do this on your behalf.

Mortgage repossession

The advice relating to the threat of homelessness due to mortgage arrears is as with rent arrears from a landlord. We adopt the same methods and refer to the same agencies.

Remember that it is vitally important that, whatever your debts to other sources, any difficulties you are experiencing in paying your mortgage should be seen as a priority.

A number of Mortgage Rescue Schemes are available to some homeowners who are facing the possibility of  losing their homes and experiencing the trauma of repossession.

Leaving prison

City of York Council have a joint York Offender Protocol with North Yorkshire Probation Service for people leaving prison. It seeks to address the housing needs of offenders and those leaving custody. The york offender protocol can be downloaded from this page.