I am at risk of becoming homeless

• Try and prevent you from losing your home by talking with your landlord or family/friends you are currently residing with
• We’ll put a plan together so that you understand what can be done to resolve your housing situation, this will include some actions for you to take
• Help you to find alternative accommodation
• Signpost you to agencies that can assist you and help you to access a support worker that can help with any matters relating to your tenancy
• We will provide you with as much advice and guidance as possible, to ensure you are aware of all the options available to you to help you improve your situation

The first step is for you to call or visit us to discuss your situation. You may then be invited to an appointment with a Housing Casework Officer to determine what help the Council can provide, including whether you will qualify for emergency accommodation. As part of this, we will complete a Full Housing and Support Needs Assessment. This assessment will support the development of your Personalised Housing Plan (PHP).

In this plan, you will be given actions to prevent homelessness, which may include things like looking for private rented accommodation or looking for employment. You will agree to these actions with your Housing Casework Officer. Failure to carry out the tasks agreed in your PHP may limit the help we can offer you.

Your Housing Casework Officer will require you to provide documentation to assist your case.

This may include:

• Confirmation of identity for you and all household members (e.g. passport, driving licence, birth certificate)
• Right to reside in the UK
• Eviction notice
• Contact details for Landlord/Excluder
• Proof of benefits or income
• Recent bank statements
• Details of any medical conditions if you have them

Please ensure you bring original documentation to your homelessness appointment, as advised by your Housing Casework Officer.

It is widely known that there is a housing shortage in the UK, and Nottingham is no exception. There are currently over 10,000 people on the Housing Register waiting for a social property in Nottingham. This means that we cannot rely on social housing to meet the demand of homeless households. As such, you will be expected to look for privately rented accommodation, and our NPRAS team (insert link) can support you with this. We may be able to offer rent in advance/deposit for a privately rented property that you find. Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme (NPRAS)

You can also register with HomeLink - Nottingham City Council if your situation is not urgent. However, as stated above, waiting times for social housing are extremely long.

Registered Providers, also referred to as Housing Associations, provide social rented, affordable and leasehold housing and they manage their own waiting list. You can also view the list of Housing Associations in your area. Registered providers of social housing – updated monthly - GOV.UK

Renters’ Rights Act 2025:

The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the rules for private renting in England. These changes give private tenants greater protection and security and may help prevent homelessness.

If you rent your home privately, find out what the changes mean for you, your tenancy and your rights:

No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions

Your landlord can no longer use a Section 21 notice to end your tenancy without giving a reason. There are still circumstances where a landlord can seek possession using the legal grounds available under Section 8.

No more fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies

Most existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026. New private tenancies are also generally assured periodic tenancies.

Rent increases are limited

Landlords can generally increase rent only once a year and must follow the correct process. Tenants can challenge certain rent increases where the proposed rent is above the market rent.

Protection from rental discrimination

Landlords and letting agents cannot discriminate against people because they have children or receive benefits.

No rental bidding

Landlords and agents cannot encourage prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent.

Limits on rent in advance

There are new rules governing when landlords can ask for rent in advance.

Pets

Tenants have new rights to request permission to keep a pet, subject to the rules and circumstances set out in the legislation.

Further information:

• Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants - GOV.UK
• Private renting: Your rights and responsibilities - GOV.UK
• Renters Rights Act: private tenants - Shelter England
• Contact Safer Housing

If you think your landlord is breaking the law, you can report potential breaches to us on 0115 876 3300

A Section 8 notice is used when a landlord has a legal reason, or ground for possession, for wanting you to leave.

Grounds for possession can include situations where:

• you have rent arrears or have not paid your rent as required
• your landlord wants to sell the property
• your landlord wants to move into the property
• you have breached the terms of your tenancy
• there has been antisocial behaviour
• the property has been damaged
• other circumstances covered by the legal grounds for possession.

Your notice should tell you which ground or grounds your landlord is relying on and when they are asking you to leave.

Receiving a Section 8 notice does not automatically mean you have to leave your home on the date stated on the notice. If you do not leave, your landlord may need to apply to court for a possession order.

If you have received a Section 8 notice, contact us on 0115 876 3300 for advice.

Grounds for possession: guidance for tenants - GOV.UK

Your landlord cannot simply make you leave your home without following the correct legal process. If your landlord is asking you to leave, threatening to evict you, changes the locks or puts pressure on you to leave, contact us for advice.

Do not hand back your keys or leave your home without getting advice first.

If your landlord has applied to court for a possession order, you should get advice as soon as possible. You should not ignore court papers. Make sure you attend any court hearing and seek advice about your circumstances.

For further advice:

• contact your local Citizens Advice service
• contact Nottingham Law Centre on 0115 978 7813
• seek independent legal advice

Section 21 notices were abolished from 1 May 2026.

There were transitional arrangements for landlords who had already served a valid Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026. However, landlords had to have started court proceedings by 31 July 2026 to continue using the notice.

If you received a Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026 and your landlord had already started court proceedings by 31 July 2026, the case may continue under the transitional arrangements. If you received a Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, but your landlord did not start court proceedings by 31 July 2026, they can no longer use that notice to obtain possession.

• contact your local Citizens Advice service
• contact Nottingham Law Centre on 0115 978 7813
• seek independent legal advice