Information for Ukrainians

The Migration Housing Options Team

The Migration Housing Options Team (MHOT) are a commissioned service to Warwickshire County Council that sits within the wider migration team. It is an extension of the Housing Options service for each local authority within Warwickshire covering Warwick District Council, Stratford District Council, Rugby Borough Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

Our services are available to those registered under the Homes For Ukraine Scheme Warwickshire. However, those who are on the Family Scheme and Ukraine Extension Scheme can also seek general housing advice and further support.

The team are very proactive in its approach to both Ukrainian guests and their sponsors/hosts in the prevention of homelessness. Our service ensures that all guests and sponsors/hosts are equipped with the resources and knowledge around them to explore their future housing needs, preventing a housing crisis situation from arising by:

• Offering a tailored approach to Housing Options based on individual circumstances
• Completing income maximisation assessments
• Negotiating with sponsors/hosts to arrange a planned exit should length of stay be expiring or relationships breaking down
• Assist with re-matching to suitable alternative hosts, supporting and guiding each guest through the process
• Assisting into rented accommodation
• Helping guests understand tenancies including rights to tenure
• Applying for grants through charitable organisations for furniture/flooring
• Assisting with the completion of Housing Register applications
• Explaining Homelessness Reduction Act - what that means and making the necessary referrals to the Local Authority for guests who have no alternative housing options available or threatened with homelessness within 56 days
• Remaining a point of contact to ensure tenancy sustainment 
• Financial support can be made available by way of deposit/rent in advance (where applicable) 
• Access to a Corporate Rent Guarantor Scheme for Homes for Ukraine guests only.

Are you registered on Homes for Ukraine (HFU) Scheme in Warwickshire, and have you been asked to leave by your sponsor or host?

If your relationship with your sponsor or host has started to break down, it is important to notify HFU helpline (0800 4081 447 or 01926 412 021) at the earliest opportunity. This will allow trained professionals to support you and your host or sponsor to overcome any barriers that you may be experiencing. Our in-house trained mediators and translators can try to understand the circumstances and offer support to you to prevent the relationship from further breakdown.

If the relationship is so strained that we are unable to prevent you from being asked to leave, then we will consider the alternative options that could be made available to you. Your allocated brokerage officer will make the referral to us for further help and support. If you are registered on HFU Warwickshire, we can further explore the possibility of a re-match.

To increase your chances of finding a sponsor in the UK, here are some steps you can take:   

• Register on the Homes for Ukraine Website: The official Homes for Ukraine website is a valuable resource where you can create a profile to introduce your family, share your story, and specify your preferences regarding your ideal sponsor. This platform will connect you with potential sponsors who are actively looking for families to support.
• Contact local organisations: Reach out to local charities, non-governmental organisations, and community groups in Warwickshire. Many of them are actively involved in assisting Ukrainian families and may be aware of potential sponsors or resources available. For more information you can visit our resources for matching sponsors with families page and the central government website which provides a list of charities working with Ukrainians to help them find sponsors.
• Network within the Ukrainian Community: Connect with the Ukrainian community in Warwickshire and the surrounding areas. You may find individuals who have successfully secured sponsors for their families and can offer valuable advice and support.
• Stay informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest information and developments related to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. New sponsors may become available as the programme expands.   

Please remember that the process of finding a sponsor may take some time, but persistence and reaching out to various channels can increase your chances of success.

Understanding the housing options that could be available to you

Shelter has useful information on different housing options and local authority allocations, including specific guidance for those with particular housing needs.

Homelessness/tenancy rights: Have you been served with notice by your landlord?

Landlords serve notice for many different reasons, but to ensure the correct notice has been served in line with housing legislation, it is important to contact the Migration Housing Options team (MHOT) who can ensure the correct notice has been served. MHOT will try and prevent you from becoming homeless through negotiation with your landlord, ensure that you have maximised your income by claiming all relevant and necessary benefits and offer tailored advice. We will also discuss the housing options that are available to you if we cannot prevent you from becoming homeless. 

The most common notices served by private landlords (subject to change with the Renters Reform Bill): 

• Section 21 notice (Shelter England)
• Section 8 notice (Shelter England)

Rent Guarantor Scheme

Securing a rental property can be challenging, especially if you have no history of living in the UK. The Rent Guarantor Scheme is designed to assist Ukrainian guests who are entering the rental sector. 

To be considered for Rent Guarantor Scheme you must meet the qualification criteria below: 

• Be registered with Homes for Ukraine scheme – Warwickshire and prove your right to rent 
• Currently living with a sponsor or host 
• The main applicant/tenant to be over the age of 21 (exceptional circumstances will be considered) 
• To have a UK bank account and willing to provide last 3 months bank statements confirming you can afford monthly rent payments 
• Be willing to provide proof of income and benefits 
• Willing to consider tenancies with minimal contract of 6 months, such as Assured Shorthold Tenancy – see How to Rent Guide booklet 
• Agree to monthly contact from the Migration Housing Options Team for the first six months of your tenancy. 

Next Steps 

• Identify a rental property within Warwickshire that meets your requirements and affordable for you to meet the monthly rental payments 
• Arrange a viewing with the landlord/agent 
• Confirm with the landlord/agent that all statutory documents (Shelter) in place. Copies of these will be required prior signing your tenancy agreement 
• If the property is suitable and affordable, discuss next steps with the landlord/agent and your allocated Migration Housing Options officer.

For further information, please contact the Migration Housing Options Team on migrationhousing@warwickshire.gov.uk - our emails are monitored Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

Landlord responsibilities 

Landlords have responsibilities and legal obligations which they must keep to, even if they are not in a tenancy agreement (Shelter)

For more information on the support available, please visit the information and support for Ukrainians in Warwickshire homepage.

Should you need to make a referral into our service for a Ukrainian national, please e-mail migrationhousing@warwickshire.gov.uk