Braintree Council’s Housing Advisory Officers can offer FREE advice on a wide range of housing issues.

If you would like to speak to an Advisory Officer, please call 01376 552525 between 9am and 5.30 pm Monday – Thursday and 9am – 5.00 pm Friday.

We  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?

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.

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 or

Print and complete our Housing Advice Request Form Housing advice request form.pdf

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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You can also download our range of leaflets here Braintree housing options by clicking this link. This leaflet briefly details the many ways we might be able to help, as well as giving details of other sources of advice and information.

If an adviser is not immediately available to take your call, please leave a message giving brief details of your situation and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If we cannot resolve your situation over the telephone,we will either make an appointment for you to speak to one of our Advisory officers at our offices in Causeway House or visit you at home.

Or you can email us at housingadvice@braintree.gov.uk  or

Print and complete our Housing Advice Request Form Housing advice request form.pdf

You can also download a short form below, fill in some details about your housing issue(s) and post it to us.This will allow us to look at some options for you before we contact you.

 

If you are on a low income and are having difficulty paying your rent you may qualify for Housing Benefit.