Rental and housing payment assistance in Hertfordshire

Many boroughs in Hertfordshire have some type of team that is focused on Homelessness Prevention, and the staff can often help tenants in rent arrears apply for discretionary housing payments or provide other solutions. The government funds will often prioritise residents on a low income or benefits. Other organisations in the county can also provide advice to with rent payments, including councils as well as Citizen Advice offices noted below.

The financial assistance is not common, and discretionary housing payments (DHP) will normally be available for paying future rental costs that are the difference between what the landlord charges and the applicant’s housing benefits. However, many people can benefit from non-monetary support, and that can include payment plans with a landlord or better budgeting.

As a last resort, Hertfordshire councils can try to help tenants move on into a more affordable home. Or, if the tenant is too far in arrears and will be evicted, then they can explore some type of temporary accommodation so that they are not sleeping on the streets.

Hertfordshire CAB offices have staff on site that offer advice. Numerous topics are addressed, but they do offer support for families or individuals in rent arrears. They will help them explore programmes to assist, ranging from welfare to what their legal rights are. So locations even have solicitors on site for housing problems.

Dacorum District can be called at 01442 228900. The office is located at the Civic Centre, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1HH.

Hemel Hempstead office is at 19 Hillfield Road. The phone is 08444 111 444.

East Herts residents can stop by CAB at 4 Yeoman’s Court, Ware Road, Hertford, SG13 7HD. Ring 08444 111 444 for the East Herts Advice Line.

Welwyn Hatfield – Queensway House, Hatfield, AL10 0LW, Phone 08444 111 444.

Elstree and Borehamwood District Citizens Advice – The Community Centre on 2 Allum Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire. Call 03444 111 444.

East Herts CAB address is 74 South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3AZ, 03444 111 444.

Councils can assist from housing teams or discretionary housing payments. In some cases, DHP will assist with rent in a crisis if the tenant is facing a one time crisis. The funds will not normally be for people in poverty, but is for those that need a little, short term support in Hertfordshire.

The Watford Borough Council provides services from the Homelessness Prevention and Housing Team, which is located at Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX. The telephone number is 01923 226400. The location will offer advice on preventing homelessness and help to catch up on overdue rent. All options are explored, and if needed, the team will signpost tenants to other charity or government programmes.

The Hertsmere Council has a homeless persons unit, and this is for the homeless or people threatened with an eviction. They run rent schemes, and can arrange for temporary housing if needed. The location in Hertsmere borough is at Elstree Way, and the phone number to dial is 020 8207 7569 for information.

The housing section at North Hertfordshire District Council can be called at 01462 474000. People in an emergency and threatened with homelessness can have an assessment done. Residents that are on the the common housing register may qualify for a scheme for rent expenses if the hardship is exceptional. Other advice is arranged as well.

Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust is another organisation to try for advice. The address is 51 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1JR, call 01707 357 618. Advice is given to tenants in arrears on their rent.

St Albans City and District Council provides free advice from Housing Options Team. There is help for people in priority need. They also partner with the Hertfordshire credit union on offering loans, they run a homeless prevention fund, and find other solutions to rent arrears. Address is St Peter’s Street Civic Centre, and phone is 01727 819271.