Have you asked your council for help because you are homeless? Or are you about to? It can be a scary, uncertain time. Here is what happens at each stage in
On this page
- What is a homelessness application?
- Stage 1: Initial assessment and prevention duty
- Stage 2: Relief duty (if homelessness cannot be prevented)
- Stage 3: Main housing duty assessment
- What accommodation might the council provide?
- What if the council says I am intentionally homeless?
- Reviewing a council decision
- What if I need emergency accommodation now?
- When should I contact Support for Tenants?
- Sources
- Related articles
Have you asked your council for help because you are homeless? Or are you about to? It can be a scary, uncertain time. Here is what happens at each stage in England. Here is what the council can decide, and your rights along the way.
What is a homelessness application?
Tell your council you are homeless, or at risk of it within 56 days. That makes a homelessness application. The council must then look at your situation. They must decide what help they owe you.
The law behind it is Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Stage 1: Initial assessment and prevention duty
The council must try to stop you becoming homeless. That runs at least 56 days, taking "reasonable steps". This is the prevention duty.
At this stage the council will:
- Ask about your housing, why you might lose it, and who lives with you
- Run a housing needs assessment
- Agree a personalised housing plan with you. It sets the steps you and the council will take
The council must also tell you about housing options in your area.
Stage 2: Relief duty (if homelessness cannot be prevented)
Sometimes homelessness comes anyway. Or you were already homeless when you applied. The council then moves to the relief duty. It runs 56 days. Reasonable steps to help you find a home must follow.
At this point the council may:
- Help you find private rented accommodation
- Arrange emergency accommodation if needed
- Continue with the personalised housing plan
Stage 3: Main housing duty assessment
The relief period may end with you still homeless. The council must then decide whether the "main housing duty" is owed. That duty means finding you somewhere to live. It holds until a settled answer arrives.
To be owed the main housing duty, you must be:
- Eligible: usually a matter of immigration status. Most UK, Irish, and EU settled-status nationals qualify
- Homeless: no housing you can reasonably occupy
- In priority need: families with dependent children, pregnant women, and people at risk through age, mental illness, disability, or domestic abuse, among others
- Not intentionally homeless: you never gave up adequate housing by choice, without good reason
What accommodation might the council provide?
A main housing duty owed can be met through:
- A social housing offer: a council or housing association home
- A private rented offer: a suitable private tenancy that meets the required standards
- A temporary place while something settled gets found
No home wrong for your needs must be accepted. Think an offer unsuitable? Ask the council to review it.
What if the council says I am intentionally homeless?
The council may find you intentionally homeless. The main duty then falls away. But advice and help still come. Dependent children may bring a short spell of housing too.
The decision can be reviewed. See the article on intentionally homeless decisions for more.
Reviewing a council decision
Most council homelessness decisions can be reviewed:
- A decision that you are not eligible
- A decision that you do not have priority need
- A decision that you are intentionally homeless
- A decision that an offer of accommodation is suitable
Reviews usually need asking for within 21 days of the decision letter. Unhappy with the outcome? The county court hears appeals on a point of law.
What if I need emergency accommodation now?
Homeless today with nowhere safe? Tell the council straight away. Emergency housing is owed where you appear in priority need, while they look into your case.
Offices closed? Most councils run an out-of-hours emergency number for homelessness.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. Living in temporary or settled rented housing, with disrepair left unfixed? A claim may stand, even mid-application.
Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Housing Act 1996, Part 7 (homelessness) (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
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