Homeless
Housing, like immigration, makes up a large share of our “post-bag” in East Ham. Newham is one of the most overcrowded boroughs in London. Typical enquiries relate to evictions; homelessness; disrepair; and housing allocations.
How the council must help
A constituent can ask the council for help if they are homeless or facing homelessness. If the council decides you're 'legally homeless', they must usually:
agree a plan to help you find somewhere else to live
arrange emergency housing if you qualify for it
The council should give you a letter with reasons if they decide you're not legally homeless. You can ask for a review within 21 days if you think the decision is wrong.
Private tenants facing eviction
You can ask the council for help when your landlord starts the eviction process (usually with a section 21 notice or sometimes with a section 8 notice). You have a legal right to stay in your home until you're evicted by bailiffs.
The council could decide you're legally homeless before an eviction takes place if it's not reasonable to stay in your home. For example, if your home is unaffordable it might not be reasonable to stay. The council looks at the following when deciding if your home is affordable:
your income
housing costs
other reasonable living expenses
When a notice ends:
Depending on your situation, the council could decide it's reasonable for you to stay:
past the date in the notice
until the court makes a possession order or an eviction takes place
This is because the eviction process can take a few months and the council may be able to persuade your landlord to stop or delay the process.
If you qualify for emergency housing when homeless, the council shouldn't make you wait for eviction by bailiffs.