Homelessness

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update - Revised access to Housing Options Services

Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, we are delivering a reduced service to our customers. Please do not come into the One Stop Shop at the Town Hall.  We are prioritising customers who have been:

• Served a bailiff’s warrant
• Threatened with illegal eviction by their landlord (please see our 'What do I do if my landlord is asking me to leave' factsheet)
• Subject to domestic abuse
• OR who are homeless on the day.

Updated guidance - ending of a tenancy

The Government has changed the law around eviction notices to help people during the coronavirus pandemic.  Your landlord will have to give you extra notice to leave before they can go to court to evict you.

• If your landlord has given you notice between the 26 March and 28 August 2020 - the required notice period is 3 months.
• If your landlord serves you notice on or after 29 August 2020 up until 31 March 2021 - they must provide you with at least 6 months’ notice for most grounds (including Section 21 notices), except in certain serious cases.

For more information on notice periods and court proceeding see this factsheet from the National Homelessness Advice Service.

Are you a private tenant? Have you been served a Section 21 notice or subject to possession proceedings at the County Court?

Bolton Housing Options can assist you with :

• Negotiating with your landlord
• Addressing your arrears
• Advising on Welfare Benefits and maximising your income
• Assistance and representation at County Court
• A referral to Money Advice to help sort out any debts you may have.

If you live in the Bolton area – please contact Housing Options on 01204 335900 or email your query to housing.options@bolton.gov.uk.