Housing and homeless support for asylum in Warwickshire

Exploring rental accommodation across Warwickshire

If you are seeking asylum and currently living in Warwickshire, it’s important to consider all available housing options. While social housing may be a long-term goal, demand is extremely high and waiting times can range from several months to years depending on your circumstances. Renting privately across Warwickshire can offer a more immediate and flexible solution. Private rental accommodation is available in all districts and boroughs, and can provide stability, independence, and the opportunity to integrate into local communities. Many landlords work with support services to ensure properties are suitable and affordable for those transitioning from asylum support. With guidance from local housing advisors and organisations such as P3 Living and Shelter, renting privately can be a positive step forward while awaiting access to social housing.

Support is available through local organisations such as Shelter, Migrant Help, and Warwickshire’s Housing Related Support services. These services can assist with finding landlords who accept benefits, applying for discretionary housing payments to cover deposits or rent in advance, and providing advocacy with letting agents. You can search for properties on trusted websites, contact local letting agents, or ask your local council for lists of landlords who work with benefit claimants.

When seeking rental accommodation as a refugee, it’s important to consider the following steps and resources.

Understand your rights and responsibilities

Familiarise yourself with tenant rights and obligations in the UK. The UK Governments ‘How to Rent Guide’ (PDF, 586KB)  provides a comprehensive overview of the rental process and what to expect as a tenant – this can be made available in several different languages.

Assessing affordability

You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. This will give you an estimate of:

  • the benefits you could get
  • how much your benefit payments could be
  • how your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
  • how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change - for example, if you have a child or move in with your partner

GOV.UK - Benefits calculators

You will need to ensure that the accommodation fits within your budget. If you’re a large family, you may be subject to the benefit cap.

GOV.UK - Benefits cap

To help secure rental accommodation financial assistance may be available through your Local Authority or local charities. Some organisations may offer support with deposits and/or rent in advance.

You may also wish to contact local landlords yourself once a property has been identified: there are several websites where landlords will advertise available properties, these are:

Additional useful links:

 

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