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Housing Advice at Elmbridge Borough Council is a free service for both landlords and tenants.

The Housing Advice Service is provided by Elmbridge Borough Council's Housing Division and is available free of charge to anyone in the local community. Providing both appointments if necessary and a drop in service at the Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, telephone advice service on 01372 474292.

The Housing Options Unit consists of three teams and these are:

The Housing Options Team - "Prevention of Homelessness" and "Homelessness"

|The Housing Allocations Team - Management of the Housing Register and referrals of applicants to Housing Associations in accordance to the Housing Allocations Policy. A summary of the policy can be found here: |All About the Housing Register.

The Rental Support Team - Can provide general advice for landlords/tenants. They work with the Private Sector to secure private rented accommodation to households receiving referrals from the Housing Options Team.

Advice on Housing Issues - Please contact the relevant team(s)

• General Advice on private renting - Contact any team
• Illegal eviction and harassment from Landlords - Housing Options can provide general advice and will refer to local solicitor's, Citizens Advice Bureau and Shelter as necessary.
• What to do if asked to leave by your Landlord - The Housing Options Team or |Housing Allocations Team. If you are likely to be in priority need you will be referred to the Housing Options Team by the Housing Allocations Team.
• Getting repairs done - If you are a Housing Association tenant, you need to contact your landlord. If you are a private sector tentant you should contact your landlord initially. You can contact the Housing Options or Rental Support Team. However, if the landlord has refused to carry out reasonable repairs, please contact our |Private Sector Housing Team.
• |Rent deposit scheme - The Housing Options Team or Rental Support Team.
• |Preventing homelessness - The Housing Options Team.
• |Housing Benefits - Please contact the Housing Benefits Customer Services Team: |Housing Benefits

Help us to help you

When you visit the Council's Offices please bring with you as much information as possible such as:

• Proof of identity
• Tenancy Agreement
• Mortgage Statement/Correspondence
• Court papers
• Solicitors letters
• Pay slips
• Benefit books
• A Notice to Quit
• Rent arrears letters
• Medical details

We may not need all of the above documentation however, this may assist when dealing with your housing enquiry.

Are you worried about your mortgage?

Get advice now. If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, or you think it will be difficult to pay more when your fixed-rate deal comes to an end soon, act now to stop your situation becoming worse. The National Homelessness Advice Service has published a |booklet giving advice on what you should do.

Court Proceedings (Advice and Representation)

If you are facing court proceedings which could result in a 'Possession Order' or an Eviction Order ('Bailiffs warrant') then you should always seek advice and assistance well before the date of the court hearing, it would be beneficial to contact the Housing Options team for general advice. It is usually always best to attend the hearing.

If you approach the Housing Options Team very late or not at all as a last resort, Kingston CAB runs a court help desk at Kingston County court (there is a similar service at Staines County Court too). CAB advisers are on hand at the Court offices to give last minute advice and may be able to accompany you in the hearing itself.

|More information on the Court desk service is available from Kingston CAB.