The Housing Advisory Service offers free advice and information to people who need help with housing related problems.

The Housing Advisory Service work in partnership with other agencies, such as Social Services, Health Agencies, Citizens Advice Bureau and other voluntary and statutory agencies.

Our Advice is... Free - Confidential -  Expert

The service is for anyone interested in living or working in the Braintree District area including:-

Home Owners - Private Tenants - Housing - association Tenants - Lodgers/ Students - People in tied or armed forces accommodation

Our Aim:

To prevent people becoming homeless.

To look at what housing options are available to you (outside of social housing)

What sort of problems can we help with?

The Housing Advisory Service has advisors who are trained to help with all kinds of housing problems, for example:

Landlord and Tenant problems

Tenancy agreements - Rent increases - Harassment - Notice to Quit - Illegal eviction

Other Issues:

Rent arrears/ Mortgage arrears
Relationship breakdown – property rights or how to meet your mortgage/rent payments etc.
Domestic violence
Homelessness Finding accommodation (other than Council or Housing Association)
Social security/welfare benefits – how to claim
Getting repairs done to your home

What to expect at an appointment

A Housing Advisor will talk to you about your housing problems in a private room.  You are welcome to bring a friend with you if you wish.

The Housing Advisor will:

Ask you a number of questions about your marital status, children, employment and financial circumstances. Discuss with you whether there is a possibility for you to stay in or return to your home. Consider various housing options that may be available to you and try to find you somewhere affordable to live, although we are not allocations officers for Council or Housing Association properties.

How we can help:

The Housing Advisor can help you by, for example:

Negotiating with your landlord, tenant or mortgage lender
Checking you are receiving full benefits entitlement
Help you with possession proceedings
Advising on how to apply for Greenfield's Housing

Appointments

As the Housing Advisory Service is very busy it is usually best to make an appointment to discuss your problems with a Housing Advisor. This can be done by telephoning 01376 552525 and asking for Housing Advisory Service or email us at housingadvice@braintree.gov.uk

We are based at Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, but you can see an advisor at either of our Halstead or Witham offices too.  Home visits can be arranged for those who live in rural areas without transport or people who are disabled.

What information to bring with you

Tenants:

Your tenancy agreement
Any letters from your landlord Notice to Quit/Court Papers
Wage slips
Details of other income or benefits
National Insurance number
Details of your outgoings

Homeowners & Landlords

Arrears letters from your mortgage lender
Possession Summons/Court Orders
Wage slips
Details of other income or benefits
National Insurance number
Details of other debts Details of outgoings
Letters from solicitors
Letters and documents between you and your tenants/lodgers

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Sanctuary Scheme

Braintree District Council now offer  (Limited by funding) a Sanctuary Scheme for women who have violent partners who no longer live within the home. 

This is to provide, in certain circumstances, security measures to allow women to remain in their own home should they wish to do so.  It would also be subject to the accommodation lending itself to these security measures. 

This is available to women  in all types of tenure across the district with the Landlords permission.

We would also require supplementary support from the police

For further details contact our Housing Advisory Service

Our Housing Advisory Service is based at Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree

As the service is very busy it is usually best to make an appointment to discuss your situation. This can be done by telephoning 01376 552525 and asking for our Housing Advisory Service or E-mailing us at housingadvise@braintree.gov.uk