If you are homeless

Contact the Housing Advice team on 01926 456129 (select option 2) during office hours (Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm, Friday 8.45 am to 4.45pm) or 01926 339577 out of hours.

Other useful phone numbers

  • Leamington Night Shelter - 07718 683531. Open Wednesday and Sunday evenings  
  • Leamington Winter Support - 07805 043383. Open Friday and Saturday evenings 
  • Helping Hands (soup kitchen) - 07540 310139 

If you are threatened with becoming homeless

Contact the Housing Advice team on 01926 456129 (select option 2) during office hours (Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm, Friday 8.45 am to 4.45pm) or 01926 339577 out of hours.

Alternatively call in person to Riverside House in Leamington during office hours.

If you find someone who is homeless or sleeping rough

Contact the Housing Advice team on 01926 456129 (select option 2) during office hours (Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm, Friday 8.45 am to 4.45pm) or 01926 339577 out of hours.

If the rough sleeper is a veteran of the Armed Forces they may also be able to obtain help from the Veterans' Gateway

Severe weather advice - rough sleepers

The council has arrangements to provide accommodation for people who are sleeping rough in severe weather conditions, subject to certain criteria being met and availability. These arrangements are triggered when the night time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees or below. 

Contact the Housing Advice team on 01926 456129 during office hours (Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5.15pm, Friday 8.45 am to 4.45pm) or 01926 339577 out of hours. 

Advice on housing problems

Our Housing Advice team are here to help people who are having housing problems. If you are at risk of becoming homeless the earlier that you contact us, the more likely that we can help you. Whenever possible we will work with anyone who is either homeless or threatened with homelessness to try to enable them to remain in their own home. We provide advice and assistance on a range of issues including the following.

Rent issues

If you need help and advice because you are worried that you cannot afford to stay in your home, your first point of contact should be a Housing Advice Officer, who will look at your income and expenditure with you, as well as talking about any other housing problems. You may be eligible for housing benefit which can help you with your housing costs. Use our online benefits calculator. You could also visit or call your local JobCentre (even if you are working), for an assessment of entitlement to benefits. Your local JobCentre contact details are:

Brandon House, Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, CV32 4JE
Telephone: 0845 604 3719 (Jobcentre Plus enquiries) or 0800 055 6688 (New benefits claims)

Problems with your housing benefit claim

Contact our benefit team to check your application has been received and is being processed. This is very important as there are limited circumstances under which your claim can be backdated.

Telephone: (01926) 456760
Email: benefits@warwickdc.gov.uk  
Register to check your housing benefit details online

It is your responsibility to make a claim and follow it up. Your application will be delayed until you provide the information requested. You could still lose your home even if you are entitled to housing benefit or Local Housing Allowance, if you don't give the correct supporting information. You may apply to Warwick District Council for Discretionary Hardship Payments.

If you are in debt

Our Housing Advice team may refer you for free, independent and confidential money advice with the Citizens Advice Bureau. Being referred to a money advisor is the first step in dealing with the stress of debt. There are solutions to your problems and it is always helpful to talk to someone who is independent and knows what creditors can legally do and not just what they threaten to do. Debt can be dealt with. Visit the Gov.uk website for further information on money and benefits.

Receiving a notice from your landlord

If you have been served with a notice from your landlord it is important that you get advice at an early stage. Contact the Housing Advice team to make an appointment with a Housing Advice Officer. The Housing Advice team can provide advice on your rights as a tenant, how to maximise your income and may also be able to negotiate with your landlord to prevent court proceedings.

Mortgage issues

If you are struggling to pay your mortgage it is very important that you talk to your lender at the earliest opportunity. If you do not keep up with your repayments you could risk losing your home. There are a number of schemes available to assist homeowners to remain in their property and a Housing Advice Officer can advise you on the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and Support for Mortgage Interest. If your lender has taken court proceeding against you it is possible to get free legal advice on the day of your hearing.

Asked to leave by your family

If you are being asked to leave by your parents or family it is important that you seek advice at an early stage and do not wait until you are homeless. The Housing Advice team may be able to help you to remain by negotiating with your family members. We are also able to offer access to independent mediation services who work with families to resolve disputes and mend relationships.

Relationship breakdown

If you are experiencing problems which you think may affect your housing situation it is important that you seek advice at an early stage and contact the Housing Advice team who will be able to provide advice on your housing rights and options.

Domestic abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse you should contact the Housing Advice team who can provide advice on your options. If you need to leave your home temporarily we can assist you to access refuge accommodation. We can discuss your options should you wish to return to your home or, if this is not appropriate, what other options are available to you. The Housing Advice team work closely with other agencies and would be able to refer you for support.

Contact Housing Advice

Housing Advice Appointments

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

  • If you would like to use our Housing Advice drop-in service you should come to Riverside House and use the Housing Advice telephone to speak to an advisor between 9am and 12pm. .
  • Afternoon pre-booked appointments are between 1pm and 4pm (except on Fridays). If you would like a pre-booked appointment you can call the Housing Advice team on 01926 456129 option 2. They will briefly discuss your situation with you and if they feel you need to speak to a Housing Officer then they will book you an appointment.

Fridays

There is no drop-in service or pre-booked appointments on a Friday. However, you can contact us 01926 456129 option 2 if your housing situation is urgent.

Homelessness directory

Directory of organisations providing help and advice

Our Housing and Homelessness strategy

Warwick District Council Housing and Homelessness Strategy

The Housing and Homelessness Strategy is a key document in relation to management of homelessness within the district. If you have a query on the strategy please speak to the Housing Strategy and Development Officer on (01926) 456335.

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