Living in temporary accommodation

This page is for residents living in temporary accommodation provided by the council.   

If you’re not in temporary accommodation and need homeless help, see apply for homeless help.

 

Getting ready to live in temporary accommodation 

Before you move into your temporary home, you should plan for: 

  • whether you need to change your children’s schools
  • whether you need to change your dentist or doctor
  • telling your bank and phone provider your new address 
  • storing any belongings and furniture that you cannot take with you  

You should do this as soon as you know where you’ll move. Your Housing Solution Officer can help you.  

Find storage for your belongings  

Your temporary home will have little space. You may need to share a kitchen and bathroom.  

We can tell you how much space you have.  

You’ll have to pay for your own storage.  

Get your pets looked after by others  

You cannot bring pets unless you have a guide dog. You can ask friends or family to look after them.  

You can contact animal charities for help. The Dogs Trust Hope Project can help if you have a dog and are homeless. 

 

Rules for temporary accommodation  

You should check the rules before moving into temporary accommodation. These rules are in your licence agreement.  

See Shelter’s website to find out about licence agreements  

Being asked to leave your accommodation  

We can ask you to leave your accommodation if you:  

  • have a bad behaviour
  • use violence against others
  • do not take care of the property
  • do not pay your rent or service charges
  • live somewhere else and are not using the accommodation we have provided 
  • refuse an offer of permanent housing from the council 
  • refuse an offer of private sector accommodation 
  • win a bid for council housing and turn it down  

If we ask you to leave your temporary accommodation:  

  • we may not have a duty to house you again
  • your homelessness application could be affected  

You’ll still get help from Redbridge Children's Services if you have children. 

Report a repair 

If you smell gas, call the Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 or textphone (minicom) 0800 371 787.

Your managing agent or landlord will be responsible for repairs and maintenance in your accommodation.   

Examples of repairs include:  

  • leaking tap
  • blocked sink
  • broken kitchen cupboard door  

You need to contact your landlord or managing agent. You can find their details on your temporary accommodation licence agreement.  

If your landlord or managing agent does not fix the repair, contact the Temporary Accommodation Contract Management Team.  

If you live in a temporary hostel, tell the staff about the repair.  

Repairs you’re responsible for 

You’re responsible for small jobs, for example changing light bulbs.  

You’ll also be responsible for any damage you cause. We’ll charge you if we need to fix your damage.  

 

Resolve a problem   

Your temporary home must allow you to feel safe and well.  

Talk to your landlord or managing agent if you have problems.   

You can get help for:  

  • feeling unsafe in your home or with people you live with
  • your landlord or agent not doing their job, like fixing things
  • trouble paying your rent  

You should contact the Temporary Accommodation Contract Management Team if your temporary accommodation is not right for you or your family.  

If you live in a hostel, contact the Hostels Team 

 

Paying your rent and service charge 

You must pay rent if:  

  • you’re not receiving housing benefit
  • your housing benefit does not cover the full rent
  • your rent includes charges for heating and hot water, which is not covered by housing benefit  

You’ll need your rent account number to pay your rent and service charge. This is the eight digit number on your rent card.  

See pay your rent for all the different ways you can pay.   

 

Moving on from temporary accommodation  

Most people choose to move on from temporary accommodation by moving into a private rented home.  

If you’re in temporary accommodation and bidding for council housing it can take a long time.   

See move into a private rented home  

When you move out you must:  

  • hand back your keys to your landlord or agent
  • provide your new address for forwarding mail
  • update the Council Tax Team with your new address
  • inform your bank and mobile phone provider
  • remove all your belongings
  • clean and tidy the property
  • take metre readings and tell your suppliers if bills are not included in the rent
  • update your address on the electoral register
  • apply for Universal Credit Housing Payment to cover new rent if needed