Stage 2 Temporary Accommodation

'Stage 2' accommodation is self-contained temporary accommodation.

East London

Stage 2 flats are usually leased from the private sector and managed by a housing association or letting agent. Most are in East London, where there are more homes available.

You will have a tenancy agreement. This will be a non-secure tenancy agreement with the council, or in a few cases, and Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement with a housing association.

Whatever type of tenancy you have, the housing association or letting agent is responsible for the day-to-day management of your property.

Length of your stay

Although stage 2 is temporary accommodation, you will be living there for some years before you move to a permanent home. You can live in the stage 2 property until your landlord needs the property back or until you are permanently re-housed. If the landlord does need the property back before you are permanently re-housed you will get plenty of notice and we will find you a new temporary home elsewhere.

Your tenancy agreement

If you break your tenancy agreement, you will be evicted. This can happen if:

• you do not pay your rent

• you sublet the property

• you have allowed the condition of the property to deteriorate

• you have caused a nuisance or annoyance

If this happens, it is unlikely that we will give you another temporary or permanent home and you will have to find somewhere to live for yourself. If you become homeless as a result of this and then re-apply for help with housing, it is very likely that you will be classed as intentionally homeless.

What facilities and services will I get?

Self-contained accommodation

All stage 2 accommodation is self-contained, which means that you will have your own kitchen and bathroom and do not have to share with anyone other than your own family.

Fully furnished

All flats are fully furnished, but you will have to provide your own bed linen and cooking utensils.

Laundry and breakfast

Laundry service and breakfast are not provided.

Costs and Charges

Stage 2 accommodation is leased from the private sector. This makes it very expensive. You will be told at the start of your tenancy how much your rent is.

Housing Benefit

We understand that most people cannot afford to pay this themselves, so before we book you in to a bed and breakfast room, we will ask you to complete a Housing Benefit application form.

Click here for more information on Housing Benefit.

If you are not working, Housing Benefit normally covers most of your rent.

Working?

If you are a worker you may have to pay more yourself and this can be expensive.

If you are worried about this, please speak to us at HOS or contact us online.

How do I pay my rent?

This depends whether the council or a housing association is your landlord. You can check this by looking on your tenancy agreement or if you are not sure, contact us online or call us at HOS and we will tell you.

The Council is my landlord

If the council is your landlord, you will be given a book of bank giro slips which you should use to pay your rent.

A housing association is my landlord

If a housing association is your landlord you will pay your rent directly to them. Here is a list of our main temporary accommodation providers. 

I have rent arrears. How does this affect me?

Everyone has to pay something towards the cost of their home, even those who get full housing benefit. Sometimes people stop paying and end up with rent arrears. Here's what you can do to avoid getting into debt.

Serious consequences

If your rent arrears rise above £1000 we will stop you from bidding for properties. If you need a transfer to a different temporary home, we may not move you until your arrears are paid off. Finally and most importantly, remember you will be evicted if you do nothing about high rent arrears. If this happens it is unlikely that Westminster or any other local authority will offer you another home.

Tell someone!

When you realise you have rent arrears, tell someone! Contact us (link) and we will advise you what to do to solve the problem. You might prefer to get independent advice from an agency such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau. The quicker you call, the easier it is to sort the problem out. Ignoring it won't make it go away.

Are you claiming the right benefits?

Often people end up in arrears because they do not claim benefits to which they are entitled. If you are having difficulties with housing benefit, let us know and we may be able to help.

Consider a direct debit

Sometimes, setting up a direct debit to pay your weekly rent on time can keep you out of arrears. This way, you are always up to date and don't have to remember to pay each week. Speak to your housing officer if you would like to set this up.

Make an agreement

If you have arrears, we won't expect you to pay them off in one go. It is usually OK for you to make an agreement to pay at an affordable rate. If we see that you have been sticking to your agreement for some time, we can often allow you to bid again.

We're here to help

Having debts can be scary. But we are here to help and will offer support and assistance to get you through your debt problems. Remember, with the right advice, you can get yourself out of trouble.

I have a problem in my flat. What do I do?

Your housing association or managing agent is responsible for the day-to-day management of your stage 2 accommodation. You should have been given details of who to contact when signing the tenancy agreement.

Contact the Housing Association

Please contact your housing association if you have a problem such as:

• something in the property needs repairing

• you have a complaint about noise or other low level nuisance from your neighbour

Contact HOS

Sometimes it is not right for the housing association or managing agent to deal with your query. Please contact us at HOS or contact us online:

• if you feel that the housing association or letting agent has not dealt with your query properly

• if you wish to complain about a member of the housing association or letting agent's staff

Is your accommodation unsuitable?

If you feel that your stage 2 accommodation is unsuitable please contact your housing association or letting agent and ask for a transfer. Usually, someone from the housing association or letting agent will visit you and will complete a transfer request form to send to HOS for assessment.

Find out more

If you have a specific query and cannot find the answer here, please contact us at HOS or online. We will be happy to help.