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

Getting in touch:
If you would like to speak to an Housing Options Officer, please call 01376 552525 between 9am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Feedback:
We welcome the views of our customers.  You can provide your feedback and comments can by emailing the Housing Options Service:  housingoptionsservice@braintree.gov.uk

About the Housing Options Service:
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; and 
-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; and
-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; and 
-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 Options Officer 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 Options Officer 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 Housing Options Officers are not allocations officers for the Council or Housing Association properties.

How we can help:
The Housing Options Officer 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 Options Service is very busy it is usually best to make an appointment to discuss your problems with a Housing Options Officer. This can be done by telephoning 01376 552525 and asking for Housing Options Service or email us at housingoptionsservice@braintree.gov.uk
or you can print and complete our Housing Options 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

Drug and Alcohol Advice
Support is available for people who feel that they or someone they know has a drug or alcohol problem and needs some advice to help them find or retain accommodation.  Further information can be found by following the links in the Useful Contacts box at the top of the page.

____________________________________

The "Housing Help"website was set up in 2011 and and provides online advice on housing, support and employment /training opportunities across the subregion tailored to an individuals circumstances.
You can access the website by following the link below:
Housing Help

Further information specific to housing options is available by clicking on the tabs on the left hand side of the page.

Key points:
-If an officer 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 Housing Options Officers at our offices in Causeway House or visit you at home

- You can also print and complete our Housing Options Request Form Housing advice request form.pdf and either email it to the Housing Options Service ( housingoptionsservice@braintree.gov.uk) or post it to Housing Options, Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9HB.