If you are staying in temporary accommodation provided by us, you may need to pay rent and, in some cases, personal charges and communal service charges.

We aim to make sure charges are fair, affordable and clearly explained.

Who this applies to

This information applies to people living in:

• temporary accommodation provided because of homelessness duties
• supported temporary accommodation
• accommodation provided through rough sleeping or discretionary housing schemes

How charges are set

We set rents in line with government guidance and Housing Benefit rules for temporary accommodation.

The amount you pay will depend on:

• the type of accommodation
• the size of the property
• whether the accommodation is owned by us or provided through another landlord

We aim to keep charges affordable while helping to cover the costs of providing and maintaining temporary accommodation.

Help with housing costs

Many households living in temporary accommodation may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help with accommodation costs. If you think you may be entitled to Housing Benefit, contact us for advice.

Service charges

Some temporary accommodation has service charges in addition to rent. A service charge helps cover the cost of services provided in shared buildings and communal areas.

Examples of services include:

• cleaning communal areas
• window cleaning in communal areas
• door entry systems
• fire alarms and emergency lighting
• fire safety equipment
• security and alarm systems
• grounds maintenance
• laundry facilities
• lifts
• electricity, water and gas used in communal areas
• scheme management services

Not all temporary accommodation has the same services, so charges may vary.

Eligible and ineligible service charges

Some service charges may be covered by Housing Benefit, while others are not. Eligible service charges are usually linked to maintaining communal areas and shared services.

Ineligible service charges relate to personal household costs, such as:

• personal water use
• heating within your accommodation
• lighting within your accommodation

We will explain any charges that apply to your accommodation.

Reviewing charges

Rent and service charges are reviewed regularly. If your rent or service charge changes, we will tell you in writing.

Paying your rent

Rent and service charges for all temporary accommodation is applied on a daily paid basis, and the weekly charge should be paid on or before Monday each week. If you move into accommodation partway through a week, the daily charge will be applied. Find out how you can pay on our webpage.

Change in circumstances

If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you must tell the relevant benefits service straight away if your circumstances change. Changes to your income, household or other circumstances could affect the support you receive and the amount you need to pay.