Council tenancy support

Our Tenancy Support Team provides advice, help and guidance to vulnerable Council tenants either when moving into a new home or if difficulties arise during a tenancy.

The aim is to support Charnwood Borough Council tenants to live independently and sustain tenancies.

What assistance can Tenancy Support offer?

Help and guidance can be provided in the following areas:

• Applying for and maintaining claims for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit
• Maximising income by advising on eligibility for other welfare benefits (eg disability benefits, Council Tax Support, Pension and Pension Credit) and providing assistance to tenants to apply and sustain these claims
• Setting up a new tenancy including utility accounts, finding essential furniture and applying for benefits
• Providing simple advice on budgeting and establishing domestic routines
• Applying for rehousing
• Accessing social care,  health services and other specialist advice and support
• Advocating for tenants with other agencies to maximise support and working with partner agencies to keep vulnerable tenants safe

Who qualifies for tenancy support?

Any Council tenant can request advice and support form one of the team’s Financial Inclusion Officers who will advise and help with benefit applications and maximising income. Vulnerable tenants who are struggling financially or who are finding it difficult to maintain their tenancy for any other reason can ask for help from a Tenancy Support Officer. Vulnerable tenants may fall into one of the groups below:

• Physical/mental ill health or disability
• Learning difficulty or disability
• Alcohol or drug problems
• History of offending or anti-social behaviour
• Being discharged from a lengthy period in prison or hospital
• Very young people – i.e. care leavers, teenage parents
• History of rough sleeping, homelessness or tenancy failure.

This is not an exhaustive list and all requests for help will be considered on their merits.

How to ask for tenancy support

Council tenants can refer themselves by contacting us on 01509 634 666 and asking to speak to the Tenancy Support Team or by sending an email to Tenancy_Support_Team@charnwood.gov.uk.

Alternatively, tenants can ask a friend, family member or other professional they are working with to contact the team on their behalf.