Jane's Story

Jane came to The Bridge for advice as she was homeless and currently in temporary accommodation, supplied by the Local Authority. Jane was offered an appointment to see our Tenancy Relations Officer (TRO).

Jane had previously lived in a private rented property with her 3 young children and was served a Section 21 Notice (an eviction notice) due to there being significant rent arrears. The landlord’s agent had a solicitor to act on their behalf.

The Local Authority had placed the family in temporary accommodation while they made their enquiries and Jane was told by the Local Authorities Housing Officer that she could be found intentionally homeless due to the rent arrears and, therefore, they would not have a duty to rehouse her which was later confirmed by letter.

Jane had health problems and believed the issues first started when she had to give up work. She was also confused by the amount of rent due as most landlords asked for the rent per calendar month but the rent was actually due every 4 weeks. Jane believed she was in credit.

The TRO wrote a letter to the Local Authority, on behalf of Jane, explaining the reasons why she had struggled to make rental payments. The TRO also helped Jane to communicate in the letter that the income and expenditure form Jane had completed when interviewed by the Housing Officer was not accurate because, at the time, she had a very unsettled baby with her and had found it very difficult to concentrate. The TRO assisted Jane in completing a new and accurate income and expenditure form.

On reviewing the new information, the Local Authority found Jane unintentionally homeless and she was placed in the priority band and was able to remain in her temporary accommodation until she was rehoused.