Guest Information - Move-on Options
If you are an Ukrainian guest and your hosting placement is coming to an end, there are various options available:
Stay with your current host
If you wish to stay with your current host, it may be possible to extend the placement for a further six months with the agreement of the host and yourself. This will be dependent on the host agreeing to an extension but we can speak to your host on your behalf to talk this through.
Find a new host
If you wish to stay in the Homes for Ukraine scheme but your host has decided to end the placement, or you wish to move hosts, we encourage you to find your own host. You can do it by contacting any of the organisations on the link below.
Recognised Providers: Organisations who can help guests from Ukraine find sponsors in the UK on GOV.UK. The government has published advice on finding a new host.
If you need help in finding a host, please email us on ukraine@westberks.gov.uk and we will look to see if an alternative sponsor can be sourced based on an existing pool of available sponsors.
Private rented accommodation
If you want to move into your own independent accommodation, you can do this by finding private rented accommodation. Private renting means renting a property from a private landlord or a company. Before searching for private rented housing, it is essential to know how much you can afford to pay for rent and other bills you can find more information on budgeting here. Properties to rent can be found at: Zoopla, Rightmove, Primelocation, OpenRent, and local letting agency websites.
You will be required to pay rent in advance and provide a deposit to secure the property.
If you are on Universal Credit, you will get further financial help to pay your rent, this is called Universal Credit Housing Element (UCHE).
The maximum you will receive from UCHE changes depending on the area you are looking for housing and the size of house you need, and this is called the LHA rate (Local Housing Allowance). If you are not working, you will need to look for a property close to the LHA rate in your area.
To find the LHA specific to you go to the local housing allowance website.
If you think you might be entitled to help with your rent, you can use a benefits calculator to work out how much this might be. If you're not claiming any benefits and paying the rent yourself, you'll need to check if you can afford it by using a rent affordability calculator.
There is a lot of guidance online on how to rent in England. One of the most useful guides available is the How to Rent guidebook. This guide is also available in Russian and Ukrainian.
Renting a room as a lodger
This is known as a lodging agreement. This is similar to being a guest as you share parts of the accommodation with the person who owns or rents the property, but you enter into an agreement with them to pay for your room. You can claim benefits to help pay the rent.
If you are single or a couple with no children, renting a room may be an option for you.
You can look for a room to rent in a shared house. Rooms can be found at: Gumtree and Spareroom.
Renting your room from your host
This is where the host becomes a 'resident landlord'. You would agree to pay rent direct to the resident landlord for the room and access to the facilities in the home. It would be the same as renting a room as a lodger but you wouldn't have to move.
Applying for social housing
In West Berkshire, social housing is housing that is owned and managed by housing associations. West Berkshire Council does not operate its own social housing.
Social housing is cheaper than private renting but is reserved for those in housing need and on low income. There are specific criteria for who is eligible and you will need to apply and be assessed to see if you are eligible.
Finding social housing can take a very long time as there is a shortage across the country. In West Berkshire there are over 1,000 households already registered and waiting. When looking for somewhere to live, you can concentrate on searching for private rented housing. It may also help to look at other areas of the UK to find somewhere you could afford.
Find more information on applying for social housing here.
Homelessness
If your host placement has ended and it's not been possible to extend, re-match or find accommodation in the private rented sector, please urgently contact your resettlement officer who will provide bespoke advice to your specific circumstances and will support you through making a homelessness application if that is necessary.
If you are no longer hosted and are at risk of homelessness you can find information on how the council can support you here, and as soon as possible contact the housing options team on housing@westberks.gov.uk.
If you want more information or to talk through your options, please email us at ukraine@westberks.gov.uk or call us on 01635 503579.
