Guides in our housing options series

Denbighshire Housing Options has six short guides which have been developed to assist you on a range of housing issues.  These include:

GUIDE A
Housing Advice – where to get help

Housing advice is available to anyone having problems with their current home or if they need to look for somewhere else to live.  Housing advice covers a range of housing topics from options for housing to repairs.  The advice provided is normally by telephone, face-to-face interview or internet service.  You may need advice if you are renting privately or as a tenant of the council or a housing association or if you own your own home.  Sometimes legal advice is needed and advisors can assist you to find it.

There are various ways to get the information you need to make informed choices about your housing:

1. Internet (free access in libraries throughout Denbighshire)
2. Housing Options Officer
3. Independent advice

• Benefits
• Care and Support
• Debt
• Domestic Abuse
• Drugs & Alcohol
• Family, neighbour and relationship issues 
• Furniture
• Home improvements and repairs
• Housing waiting lists.Please refer to the “Council and Housing Association Housing Guide E” for more information.
• Mental Health
• Older People
• Young People  
  For more information please download attatchment Guide A.

GUIDE B
Housing options – what is best for you?

Who is this leaflet for?
This leaflet could help you if you are looking for a home because
• you are unhappy in your current one, or
• you may be asked to leave your home in the future.

This leaflet sets out:
(a) What housing options are available to you so that you can research them further, and
(b) What assistance is available to help you choose the best housing option.
 
1. Problems living with your partner, member of your family or a neighbour
2. Difficulty paying your rent
3. Problems paying your mortgage
4. Difficulties managing or coping in your home
5. Renting privately. Please see Private Rented Housing Guide D.
6. Affordable Housing. Please see Affordable Housing Guide C.
7. Council and housing association properties. Please refer to Council and Housing Association Guide E.
8. Moving home but staying in council or housing association property
9. Young people – what are your options? Please refer to the Young People Guide F.
10. Moving to a smaller place that is cheaper and easier to manage
11. Options for older people

For more information please download attatchment Guide B.

GUIDE C
Affordable housing – how can it help me?

What is affordable housing?
House prices have soared over the last five years and despite the more recent falls in prices they are still unaffordable for many people.  The need for council and housing association properties far outstrips the supply and with long waiting lists, it is important to consider other options such as affordable housing.  A range of affordable housing options have been developed by the council in partnership with Clwyd Alyn, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Wales & West Housing Associations to help those who cannot afford to buy or rent at full market values.
 
For more information please download attatchment Guide C

GUIDE D
Finding a private sector home – what are your options?

Why consider renting privately?
Waiting to be housed by the council or a housing association can take a long time because vacancies are very limited and waiting lists are lengthy.  You may wish to consider other housing options.  For many people, the most realistic option is renting a property from a private landlord, at least in the short term.  More properties have become available in recent years as property investors have bought homes and rented them out.

General advice
You need to carefully consider what rent you can afford and what is available in the area you live – you need to be realistic.  Do not restrict yourself to just one area and try to be as flexible as possible in terms of area and property type, otherwise what you want might not exist.  If you are on benefits, some landlords may be unwilling to rent to you.

For more information please download attatchment Guide D.

GUIDE E
Council and Housing Association properties

Housing is in short supply. It is becoming harder to rent a property from Denbighshire County Council or  the housing associations (Clwyd Alyn, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Wales & West).  More people are approaching these organisations and the waiting list includes around 7,000 applicants.  The total number of vacancies in council / housing association properties is only around 500 vacancies per year.  Large waiting lists and limited vacancies means it could be many years before any offer of accommodation may be made. 
Other options to consider include:
• Affordable Housing Guide C
• Private Rented Housing Guide D

For more information please download attachment Guide E

GUIDE F
Young people – what help can you get with housing?

What is this leaflet for?
• To give you some ideas about where to get advice about your housing situation
• To show you the general housing options available in Denbighshire which include: staying where you are, getting your own place and housing with support.
Denbighshire has a short leaflet with key information about being young, single and homeless in Denbighshire – this can be viewed on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/housingoptions or a copy picked up at Housing Services – 64 Brighton Road, Rhyl, LL18 3HN or County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.
Where can I get advice?
• Housing Services, 64 Brighton Road, Rhyl, LL18 3HN
• Housing Services, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN – please ring for an appointment on 01824 706064.
• Shelter
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• West Rhyl Young Persons project and VIVA – 17 Bedford Street, Rhyl, 01745 351293. 
• Rhyl Youth Action Group and café – 69-75 Wellington Road, Rhyl, 01745 344866
• Money advice unit – 01745 814338
• Welfare Rights
• Housing and Council Tax benefit advice
Please refer to Guide A Housing Advice.

For more information please download attachment Guide F