Housing advice
Choose
Set your location
Some pages have specific information about the service related to your area. Please use the form to find your address or choose one of the tabs above when available to view this information.
Can't find your property? Found a mistake in our data? Please complete our online form to help us improve our service.
Can't find your property? Found a mistake in our data? Please complete our online form to help us improve our service.
North
It is in your interest to contact the Housing Options Team at the earliest opportunity if you are in any difficulty with your accommodation. The earlier you address your problems the easier they are to solve.
The Housing Options Team offer an advice service and can provide a wide range of advice on all areas of housing, including information on:
- illegal evictions
- debt counselling
- rent or mortgage arrears
- housing options
- home ownership schemes
- private rents
- homelessness
- relationship break down
- landlord and tenant problems
It is advisable to telephone and make and appointment in advance to see one of our Housing Options advisors.
You can contact the team on 01249 706666.
Free help and guidance will be available at our Monkton Park offices in Chippenham between:
- Monday 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Tuesday 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Wednesday 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Housing advice is also available at your local Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB). Please visit the North Wiltshire CAB website for more information.
Contact Details
Email: housing@northwilts.gov.uk
Telephone: 01249 706666
Postal Address:
Wiltshire Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15
1ER
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
South
The Housing advice department offers general housing advice and information on residential tenancies to the general public. They also offer homeless assessments under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002).
Under Section 7 of this Act, the council does not have a duty to house every homeless person, but it does have to provide advice and information to everyone who wants it.
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness the council may have a duty to provide help under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002). The information below is intended only as a guide to the Housing Act and to give information about how your application will be assessed.
There are five criteria outlined below that must be met in order for your application to be accepted and to be considered for alternative accommodation.
- Are you eligible for our assistance?
You are eligible for assistance if you are a British citizen or have an entitlement to public funds. - Are you homeless or likely to lose your rights to your home within 28 days?
You are considered to be homeless or threatened with homelessness if:- you have nowhere to live;
- a mortgage lender has taken you to court and has said you must leave;
- you have been living with friends/relatives and they have asked you to leave;
- you cannot return to your home because of violence or threats of violence from someone you are associated with.
A person is said to be threatened with homelessness if they are likely to become homeless within 28 days. - Are you in priority need as defined by the law?
You are said to be in priority need if:- you have dependent children or an adult who depends on you and who normally lives with you;
- you or someone you normally live with is pregnant;
- you have become homeless as a result of fire, flood or other disaster;
- you or someone you live with is disabled, suffering from a mental illness, or is vulnerable for some other special reason such as old age;
- you are 16 or 17 years of age and are NOT the responsibility of social services for accommodation;
- you are under 21 and at any time as a 16 or 17 year old were looked after, accommodated or fostered.
- Are you intentionally homeless?
You may be regarded as having made yourself intentionally homeless if it is discovered that you deliberately did, or failed to do something, which caused you to lose your home, such as not paying rent/mortgage although you had income to make the payments, or if you were evicted due to neighbour nuisance etc.
If you are found to be intentionally homeless we may not have a duty towards you. - Do you have a local connection?
- You must have lived in the area for at least 6 out of the last 12 months, or
- be employed in the area for more than 16.5 hours per week, excluding the armed forces, or
- have close relatives (such as mother, father or siblings) who are living in the area and have lived there for at least 5 years.
- What if I don't have a local connection?
- Your case may be referred to another council that you do have a local connection with.
- So what happens next?
Once the advisory officer has completed their enquires they will inform the applicant in writing of their decision.
If accepted as homeless the applicant will usually be provided with temporary accommodation while waiting their turn on the housing register.
- What if I disagree with the council's decision?
- You have a right under section 202 of the 1996 Housing Act Part VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) to request a review of the council's decision. You will be advised of your right to review and how to go about requesting a review in any letters notifying you of the council's decision.
- What if my application is unsuccessful?
- Information and help in securing alternative accommodation will be given. This information is free of charge and will include details of the Rent Deposit Scheme and the Family Home Bond Scheme.
- How do I make an appointment?
- telephone the Housing Options and Prevention officer on - 01722 434368 or 434629
- fax - 01722 434530
- email Housingadvice@salisbury.gov.uk
- make an appointment in person at 26 Endless St, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DR
Emergency appointments are in the afternoon (for example, if you are homeless today).
Opening hours
- Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Access for people with disabilities
- Limited wheelchair access, no adapted toilets.
- Hearing aid systems
- Useful documents that you may need to bring to an interview to support your case
- Proof of benefits
- ID
- Proof of children or pregnancy
- Eviction notice or notice of cessation
- Medical evidence
- Rent book
- National Insurance number
- Court orders
- Any other relevant documents that will support your case
Contact Details
Email: housingadvice@salisbury.gov.uk
Telephone: 01722 434368
Postal Address:
Housing Services
Wiltshire Council
PO Box 2117
Salisbury
SP2
2DF
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
East
Housing Options Advisers are available to offer confidential advice and assistance to people who would like to secure suitable accommodation via the homes@kennet bidding system or within the private sector.
The Housing Options Advisers will do their best to prevent homelessness wherever possible. They are able to give general advice with regards to housing rights, basic debt advise, negotiate with landlords or mortgage providers, can mediate between disagreeing parties to try to address problems, help with completion of forms and can also accompany and represent in court, if necessary.
For more information, please follow the link below:
http://www.homes4wiltshire.co.uk/
Environmental and Protection Services
Wiltshire Council’s, Environmental Health and Protection Services department will:
- investigate any complaints of housing being unfit as defined by the Housing Act 1985.
- investigate complaints about dampness and offer advice on tackling condensation.
- investigate and assess any complaints of statutory overcrowding as defined in the Housing Act 1985.
- investigate any evictions, attempted evictions or harassment that may breach the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 or the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
Shelter
- To visit the Shelter website, please follow the link below:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/index.cfm
Contact Details
Email: customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 0100
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
West
For more information please see:-
www.westwiltshire.gov.uk/index/housing/housing_advice.htm
Some services differ based on where you live. Why is this?
