Housing

The Government has issued specific national guidance regarding living arrangements from 4-6 months after Ukrainian guests have moved to the UK.

Between 4-6 months into the agreement, hosts and guests are being encouraged to have an open and honest conversation about intentions and next steps.

If this has not happened yet in your arrangement and you have been staying with your host for several months, we encourage you to have this conversation. Each arrangement will be different and it may be that your host is happy for you to continue to stay with them (or in their accommodation) for a longer period of time. Where this is the case, this is likely to be the best option for you until you are ready to move on.

Government guidance for hosts and guests sets out the options available to Homes for Ukraine guests and sponsors/hosts who need to end the arrangement after six months.

Although social housing (council housing) is not a realistic option for Homes for Ukraine guests there are other options available:

Where possible, continue in the existing arrangement
Where the existing arrangement cannot continue, a guest can find a new host in or out of Lincolnshire. Many people are finding re-matches through faith groups, other community groups, their work or your current host. If you find a new host this way, please email homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk with details so we can start the necessary checks. The organisations below can also help with finding a new host in other areas of the country. You can also find more advice on how to find a new host within the Government guidance. If you are unable to find a new host yourself, please email Ukraine.wellbeing@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Where a guest is considering independent accommodation, they can look to rent private accommodation in or out of Lincolnshire (see below for more information)
If it is safe and they wish to do so, guests can return to Ukraine (which we are finding that some guests are choosing to do). Please inform homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk if you intend to do this.

Some hosts find it useful to sign an agreement with their guests so everyone is clear on the terms of their stay. This can help with setting boundaries and outlining dos and don’ts for both parties. Certain mortgage lenders may also ask for an agreement to be signed (check with your lender).

If your guests are sharing accommodation with you, for example using guest bedrooms and sharing a kitchen with you, the Excluded Licence Agreement is most suitable:

Excluded Licence Agreement:
- English
- Ukrainian
- Russian

If your guests are living in self-contained accommodation (such as a holiday let) then the Excluded Tenancy Agreement is most suitable:

Excluded Tenancy Agreement
- English
- Ukrainian
- Russian

You can find independent private rental accommodation. This does not have to be in Lincolnshire, you can move anywhere in the UK. You will need to find a property to rent, gather all the information such as the rent, deposit, how much the bills cost, and if the property is furnished. You may be entitled to assistance in the form of the housing element of Universal Credit. You would only receive this after you move into the property.

You can find more advice on renting within the ‘Guidance for Guests’ link above or via the links below:

And don’t forget that you can contact Wellbeing Lincs if you need any advice or support - for more information about the Wellbeing Lincs service, visit our National and Local Guidance section.

How to rent in England

Do you want to know more about renting in England? The government's information on living and renting in England is available to download at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

For guests who are hoping to rent their own property in England, here are some tips from other Ukrainian guests that have already been successful in signing a tenancy:

Whilst you are living with a host, you may be contributing to bills and buying food but you will not be paying rent. Use the time with your host to save up towards a deposit (at least two months' rent payments) and money for any furniture you might need when you move into your own home. Without a UK credit history, landlords may ask for up to six months' rent in advance.
Learning English will help you to find work and also communicate with a landlord or letting agent. You can do this at face-to-face classes or online - find a course near you.
Landlords or letting agents will often want to check credit history. You could open a savings account with your bank and save a certain amount every month to demonstrate that you can manage your finances and do it on a regular basis (like paying rent).
If you are on benefits or a low income you might be able to get the housing costs element of Universal Credit. You could work this out before so it helps you understand how much rent you can afford to pay.
Lots of people are looking for private rented homes right now and it is very competitive. Talk to your host about your plans as they may be able to give you advice about where to look locally. Look online every day but also visit local estate agents face-to-face and talk to friends at your nearest community group. Someone you know may know a private landlord who could be willing to help you. Some useful websites are OpenRent, Rightmove, Socciio and SpareRoom.
Be as flexible as you can be and search for homes in a wider geographical area.
Get in touch if you need further help and advice at ukraine.wellbeing@e-lindsey.gov.uk or your local district council.

We are also looking to engage private landlords specifically around renting to Ukrainian guests, so if you are a private landlord or know one, we’d be very keen to hear from you.

So far, we're aware of over 100 Ukrainian families or individuals who have already successfully ‘moved on’ into private rented accommodation across the county. If you're able to share any experiences of accessing the private rental market in Lincolnshire, please let us know at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Moving into rental accommodation – registering with utility companies

We know that many guests are now starting to move into their own rental accommodation and will need help registering with utility companies. We hope the information and links below are useful and recommend contacting the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for further help and support.

Types of utilities

Gas and Electricity

The Citizens Advice website has useful pages on:

Water

In Lincolnshire, most homes are with Anglian Water but you can check your supplier on the Water UK website.

The Anglian Water website also has a dedicated ‘moving home’ page.

For hosts and guests, if anyone living in your property receives certain benefits or tax credits, you could be eligible for the AquaCare Plus or WaterSure tariffs. Visit the Anglian Water website or call 03457 919 155 to apply.

Broadband

The Uswitch website has a helpful page on broadband and moving house.

Paying bills

The Money Helper website has a useful page on the best way to pay bills.

Council Tax is a tax which goes to local councils to pay for local services such as schools, police and social care. Homes For Ukraine guests who move into privately rented property or a home of their own will become liable for paying Council Tax.

Council Tax requirements can vary depending on who is living in the household and their circumstances, including their immigration status. If all people living in a rented property have Homes For Ukraine visas, then the group may be eligible for a 50% discount on their Council Tax. Council Tax is collected by district councils - if you have any questions about your Council Tax you should contact your local district council in the first instance.

The national guidance about Council Tax is published here within the HFU guidance for guests.

To discuss the possibilities of Social Housing (or Council Housing) you should contact your local District Council for local advice. You can find your district council here by using your postcode: Find your local council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

These organisations can give you general independent advice about housing and homelessness:

In the unlikely event that you are asked to leave your host accommodation immediately, have nowhere else to go and need assistance, you can contact your local District Council Homeless Team. For more information about District Councils, visit our National and Local Guidance section.

The following information is also available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Наступна інформація також доступна українською та російською мовами.

Следующая информация также доступна на украинском и русском языках.

Guests moving to another host

You will need to change your address with the following organisations:

Bank
GP (or you may need registering with a new GP if moving out of area)
Dentist
School (or you may need to apply for a place with a new school if you are moving out of your current local area.)
Consider the implications for school transport.
Any bills such as mobile phones, you will need to update them with your new address
DVLA if you have purchased a car in the UK you will need to update your vehicle log book
If you pay for your vehicle tax by direct debit, you will have to tell the DVLA when you change your address, you can do this by telephone: 0300 790 6802
If you have a UK driving licence you will need to change your address
Car insurance

Guests moving to independent accommodation (private rented/social)

You will need to change your address with the following organisations:

Bank
GP (or you may need registering with a new GP if moving out of area)
Dentist
School (or you may need to apply for a place with a new school if you are moving out of your current local area)
Consider the implications for school transport
Any bills such as mobile phones, you will need to update them with your new address
DVLA if you have purchased a car in the UK you will need to update your vehicle log book
If you pay for your vehicle tax by direct debit, you will have to tell the DVLA when you change your address, you can do this by telephone: 0300 790 6802
If you have a UK driving licence you will need to change your address
Car insurance

You will also need to set up accounts with your utility companies: Gas/Electric/Water when you move in take a meter reading straight away and contact the company – your landlord should be able to tell you which utility company is currently supplying your new property.

Contact your Council Tax Department – You will need to register at the new property and you may be eligible for 50% discount under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. You may need to send them a copy of your Biometric Residence Permits (front and back) for everyone in the household.

You will need to update details for any benefits you currently receive, and may be eligible for additional benefits such as Housing benefit and council tax support– you can check what benefits you may be entitled to using a benefits calculator: https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Update details for any benefits

Child benefit

Report online if you have a government gateway login https://www.access.service.gov.uk/login/signin/creds
By phone (you will need your National Insurance number): 0300 200 3100
Or by post:

HM Revenue and Customs — Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE88 1AA
United Kingdom

Universal Credit

You can report a change of address using the following methods:

through your Universal Credit online account (https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit) Messages to your online account will be answered as soon as possible during business hours
by phoning the Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644
by speaking to your work coach at your local Jobs & Benefits office

State pension

To report a change of address for your state pension you can use the following methods:

Call the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
Write to the Pension Service:

The Pension Service
Post Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1AF

Pension Credit

To report a change of address for your Pension Credit you can use the following methods:

Call the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
You can also report by post. The address is on the letters you get about your Pension Credit

TV Licence

You will need to pay for a TV licence if you watch any live TV, you can do this online: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/cs/pay-for-your-tv-licence/index.app

If you do not watch TV Live on any Channel or online service, or on BBC iPlayer (including on your mobile phone, computer, Television, Tablet or console) you need to complete a No Licence Needed declaration https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence