Housing Options Self Help Tool

Disrepair

Your landlord has a legal duty to carry out repairs. If you need to report a repair the first step is to notify your landlord. This can be done in writing giving him a reasonable amount of time to arrange the repair.

If your landlord does not do the repair the next step is to contact Private Sector Housing.

Please note: having a disrepair issue will not automatically put you in a higher band for rehousing. Your landlord has a legal duty to do the repairs and the Council will check that they are done.

Overcrowding

If you are overcrowded by one or more bedrooms you will be able to have your banding on the Value Based Lettings System increased. You will need to apply to the Council for overcrowding based on your situation.

Medical

If you need to move because you or a household member has medical needs you may be entitled to a higher banding. You will need to apply to the Council for a medical grounds assessment based on your situation.

Domestic violence

Domestic abuse is a serious crime.

Domestic abuse is any violent or abusive behaviour used by one person to control and dominate another with whom they have or have had a personal or family relationship. This includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, verbal or financial abuse.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse it's not your fault.

For help call:

• Staying Put: 0808 280 0999
• Bradford Women's Aid: 01274 666241
• Domestic Services Keighley: 01535 210999
• Housing Options: 01274 435999

If you are a man seeking assistance due to Domestic Violence you can contact:

• Bradford Cyrenians or Freephone 0300 303 0167
• Refuge or Freephone 0808 2000 247

You are entitled to a homelessness assessment and may also be entitled to assistance through the Domestic Violence Protocol which can be accessed from Housing Options.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

In non emergencies you can report domestic abuse to West Yorkshire Police on 101.

Notice to Quit

There are different types of notices dependent upon the type of tenancy or licence agreement you have. If your landlord serves you a notice or asks you to leave you should seek advice immediately. Not all notices served are valid.

Further information on notice to quit can be found:

• on the Shelter website

You can also contact the Housing Options Service for further information.

Relationship breakdown

Many people have rights to remain in their home at the end of a relationship and the law can help uphold these rights.

What rights you have will depend on the nature of your relationship and whether a property or tenancy is held jointly.

Married or civil partners

You will have a right to live in any property where you and your partner have lived or intended to live.

This is the case regardless of whether:

• The property is owned jointly or by one party only. 
• The tenancy is in joint names or in one parties name only. You will also have a right to live in any property owned or rented in your name only or jointly with your partner, regardless of whether you have lived there or ever intended to live there.

Living together

You will have a right to live in any property owned or rented in your name only or joint with your partner, regardless of whether you have lived there or ever intended to live there.

If you live in a property that is owned or rented in your partners name only you will not have an automatic right to live in the property. However, if you have children together you may wish to seek legal advice.

Renting your home

If the case of rented property you may be able to:

• establish a right to live in the property 
• have the tenancy transferred into your name

This is more likely if you have been in a longer-term relationship and there are children of that relationship that will be living with you.

Own your home

If the case of property that your partner owns you may be able to:

• establish a right to live in the property 
• have to property transferred into your name

This is more likely if the relationship was long-term and there are children that will be living with you.

You may also be able to establish ownership of all or part of the property (for example, because made payments towards the mortgage or contributed toward the deposit).

If you:

• are unsure about whether you have a right to live in the property 
• believe you may have a right to live in the property but you are being prevented from doing so 
• want help to try and establish a right to live in the property 
• want help to try an establish that you own all or part of the property

Legal help

You should contact a solicitor specializing in family law.

About Legal Aid

Citizens Advice: relationship breakdown and housing

Prison release

If you are due to be released and will be roofless within 28 days you should make a homelessness application (link to making a homelessness application)

If you would like advice you can contact the Customer Services Team on 01274 435999.

Shelter has more information on your Housing Rights

Contact us

If you are at risk of losing your home, contact Customer Services on 01274 435999.

If you have no accommodation for tonight, you can present in person to Britannia House, Bradford, BD1 1HX or Keighley Town Hall, Keighley, BD21 3PA where Housing Options will try to help you secure accommodation. If it is outside of office hours, contact the emergency duty team on 01274 381999.