Find out more about the fund and make an application online here. Any move should be delayed. Check back regularly for updates. If you are worried about your gas or electricity bills, contact your supplier as soon as you can. Food banks provide food parcels to people in need. You can move home but you must try to do as much of the process online as possible and follow current Welsh Government guidance. Make sure any agreement you make is put in writing (a text or email is fine). 63 were here. You are not wasting anyone's time. Contact your local food bank if you need help with food. Contact the Trussell Trust to find your nearest food bank and then contact them to see what they offer in your area. 17 April: … You might be able to come to an agreement or negotiate a reduction in your rent. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law. Many local communities have made arrangements to help individuals who are vulnerable due to Covid-19. Some court cases were put on hold between March and August 2020. 6.1K likes. If you are not feeling safe at home, you must get help. Emergency laws mean that, in most cases, you are entitled to 6 months notice before your landlord can apply to court to evict you. Many people are worried about coronavirus and how it could affect their housing. While it will not be suitable for everyone, for some people facing a period of financial difficulty the scheme has the … NOTE: For general information about COVID-19 visit Welsh Government.For information on the vaccine and its rollout visit Public Health Wales. Lenders can start court proceedings to repossess mortgaged properties during the pandemic but, even if a possession order is made against you, lenders should not repossess your home until after the 31 January 2021. If you are struggling to pay your rent there might be some financial help available. Maybe you were on a zero hours contract and / or your employer’s business has closed. The deadline for applying for a payment holiday has been extended to the 31 March 2021. To keep our advice team safe, our advisers are now working from home. Homes for all Cymru make the case for good homes to be central to the national recovery plan. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123, their lines are always open and you can talk to them about anything. Find out more about leaving a tenancy early here. Applications are currently being treated more flexibly until the 31 March 2021. Mae COVID-19 wedi gwthio llawer o bobl yn agos at ddigartrefedd. If your landlord does not serve a notice before the 29 January 2021, the eviction proceedings will be automatically stopped. Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? Universal credit can include a claim for help with your housing costs, including rent payments. Check what you can claim here. You might qualify for benefits or financial help if: Universal credit The Senedd Research coronavirus page has lots of help and information for people living in Wales, including information on health and social care and education. Police can still come to your home. There are also charities and even apps that can help with managing anxiety: Coronavirus and mental health (Young Mind). Advice and assistance continues to be available through our Freephone Shelter Cymru Live service on 08000 495 495 open 9.30am - 4.00pm … If you feel that you are being abused and need to talk to someone, there are organisations open – use our search tool below. You should then press 55 – your call will be transferred to the local police as an emergency. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE Emergency laws have been introduced in Wales to protect tenants from eviction for a temporary period. UC can include a claim for help with your housing costs, including rent payments. For more information on eviction if you are a tenant, see our pages on eviction : court action. If you want to leave your tenancy early because of coronavirus (for example, you are a student and have had to return home to be with your family), you must make sure you end your tenancy correctly. They have had some support from Shelter Cymru, which says Covid-19 has exposed "huge inequalities". If you have to leave because of abuse or threats of abuse, contact your local council, they should be able to help you with finding somewhere to stay. What to do if you are worried about being evicted and if you are being threatened with eviction. You can also use their Money Navigator Tool to give you an action plan based on your individual circumstances. Click on the topics below to help work out what it means for you. Click here to see if you can. You will still be responsible for paying your rent whilst your tenancy is continuing, even if you are not living there. If you are a university student and struggling with money, contact your NUS Students Union and ask about applying to the university hardship fund. There is still lots of help and support available – we’ve given the details of national organisations that can help you below. you are a care leaver under the age of 25. Coronavirus - Shelter Cymru Many people are worried about coronavirus and how it could affect their housing. Try to continue to pay your rent if you can or, if you can’t, contact your landlord to try and agree a repayment arrangement. If you rent a room in a shared house or house in multiple occupation (HMO), your landlord or agent can arrange viewings of empty rooms but must follow the Welsh Government guidance. Courts are open to deal with repossession hearings but bailiffs are NOT currently able to carry out evictions, except in limited circumstances. Your landlord or agent can only arrange a physical viewing of your home with your agreement. If you are not getting benefits you might be able to claim universal credit which can include help towards paying your rent. To find out when there is an adviser in your area, visit advice near you and find your local area. This includes those delivered from the offices of other organisations as well as those delivered from its own offices. Get advice straight away if you receive any letters from the court. You still need to pay your rent if you can, otherwise you could be evicted. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. 0808 801 0711 (youthline) 0808 801 0811 (studentline) beateatingdisorders.co.uk Under 18s helpline, webchat and online support groups for people with eating problems, such as anorexia and bulimia. We have set out below some sample wording you could use to send to your landlord or agent in a letter, email or text. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Housing: coronavirus; Renting a home: coronavirus; Eviction during the coronavirus pandemic; Guidance. Click on the topics below to help work out what it means for you. I don't feel safe in my home, what help can I get? There is no doubt that Covid-19 has significantly impacted every aspect of our lives and our home is more important than ever. Negotiating a reduction in your rent because of coronavirus - Shelter Cymru If you are having problems paying your rent because of coronavirus, you must tell your landlord as soon as you can. You should still pay your rent while you are waiting to be contacted by the court. If your landlord started court proceedings before 3 August 2020 but has not yet obtained a possession order they will need to send a notice to you and to the court to re-start the case. Coronavirus housing … If you feel it is not safe to stay at home but you have nowhere to go, get help from your local council’s homelessness department. It is illegal for your landlord to evict you without following the proper steps. The Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Scottish Greens have all called off their spring conferences in response to COVID-19. Other household bills and essential expenses. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. Take a look at our step-by-step guide to making a homelessness application. If you are getting universal credit or housing benefit you might be able to apply for a discretionary housing payment to help with your housing costs. You can only end a fixed term tenancy early if your tenancy agreement has a break clause or you negotiate an early end to the agreement with your landlord. Initial property viewings should be done online. You can find out more about illegal evictions here. Lots of young people are struggling because they have lost their jobs or their income has dropped because of the pandemic. Call the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800 (free and confidential) or visit Welsh Women’s Aid advice page on Safety and Self-Care Advice for Survivors in Isolation. © Copyright - www.sheltercymru.org.uk 2017, Safety and Self-Care Advice for Survivors in Isolation, are in rent arrears because of coronavirus, not already receiving housing benefit or universal credit housing costs, a temporary break in your bills or debt arrangements. Click anywhere in the white box to make changes. Even though you have a roof over your head you are still classed as homeless and your local council should be able to help you. Think carefully before you apply and use the Money Advice Service payment holiday calculator and guide to help you decide if a payment holiday is right for you. It is illegal for your  landlord to make you leave without giving you the right amount of notice or getting a court order. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Safety when … Find out more here. Check if you have insurance that will cover your mortgage payments instead. Use the entitledto benefits calculator to see what you can claim. Your local council will still be able to help you. If your income has dropped and you are worried about paying rent, tell your landlord or agent straight away. Contact your landlord as soon as you can and explain your situation. Use this sample wording to put together a letter, text or email to your landlord or agent. If you are on benefits, make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to. Part of: Renting a home: coronavirus; First published: 15 May 2020. To find out what to do if you think you have symptoms, please visit Coronavirus symptom checker.Or visit our encyclopaedia page, which has general information and includes a BSL video.. We are committed to keeping you and our advisers safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic and we … an agreement for someone else to top up your pre-payment meter. Find contact details for your local council here. Visit our advice pages on domestic abuse for more information. If you are facing court action, get urgent advice. When you call 999, an operator will ask which emergency service you need. If you are feeling anxious or stressed during this difficult time there are helplines that can support you. Call Childline on 0800 1111 or call 999 if you are in immediate danger. Visit our Get Advice page, call our free helpline or use our webchat. If you share your accommodation with others, for example, you rent a shared house, are staying in a hostel, or are sofa-surfing, you must tell those you live with if you: Try to avoid visiting shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas as much as possible. We’re currently taking a high number of calls from people who are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, and keeping their families safe during the Coronavirus outbreak. You can usually get a universal credit advance within a few days if you can’t wait 5 weeks for your first payment. Find out more about the self-isolation payment here. India reported nearly 55,000 new coronavirus cases on Sunday and Japan recorded more than 1,500 for a second day, while Florida was braced for a tropical storm that threatened to hamper efforts to combat the disease. living in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Yes. Find out more about what else you can claim on the entitledto website. Other benefits Shelter Cymru operate numerous advice centres and surgeries across Wales. Find out more about the scheme here and to make an application, click here. If you have any information to add to this map, please e-mail: cymorthcymunedol@gwynedd.llyw.cymru . The council should help you make a homelessness application and, if you are sleeping rough, or at risk of finding yourself on the street, they should give you emergency accommodation. See our pages on harassment and illegal eviction and contact your local council, Rent Smart Wales or the police. Shelter Cymru is Wales’ people and homes charity. From 29 September 2020, most tenants in Wales are entitled to 6 months’ notice before their landlord can start court action to evict them. With unlawful evictions on the rise in Wales since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, this course seeks to provide you with information and practical guidance on recognising unlawful evictions and harassment and how these issues can be dealt with by tenants in the private rented sector. You will still be responsible for paying your rent if you don’t. This means that even if your landlord has obtained a possession order from the court, bailiffs will not currently be able to evict you from your home. Press alt + / to open this menu. You should not move home if you’re self isolating or have tested positive for coronavirus. Anyone who comes to carry out repairs should follow Welsh Government guidance on social distancing. Further guidance for tenants and landlords is available on the Gas Safe Register website. Most claims for universal credit are made online. Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. You might be able to come to an agreement or negotiate a reduction in your rent. Do this in an email or text and keep a copy so that you can show this to the court if asked. Accessibility Help . Shelter Cymru yw’r elusen yng Nghymru ar gyfer pobl a chartrefi. If a viewing does go ahead they must follow the Welsh Goverment guidance. Shelter Cymru said private renters were among the hardest-hit by the pandemic. you can’t work because you’re sick or self isolating. Read about access to your rented home for repairs here. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. The Welsh Government currently expects councils to do all that they can to help you if you are at risk of sleeping rough, for example because you are: If you are in this situation and the council says it cannot help you get advice straight away. For tips on what other steps you can take to keep safe, click here. Your landlord must give … Click here for more details about how to apply. Depending on your situation the council might be able to stop you becoming homeless or, if necessary, find somewhere for you to stay and keep safe. Shelter Cymru is Wales’ people and homes charity. Once you’re done, click copy text to clipboard. Financial assistance – what is available out there? There groups can help in a many different ways including help with shopping, meals on wheels, delivering medicines or just a friendly telephone conversation. If you want to leave your tenancy early because of coronavirus, you must make sure you end your tenancy correctly. Viewings should not happen in those circumstances. Annual gas safety checks remain an important legal requirement but they should be rearranged if they cannot go ahead safely because someone in your home is self isolating. Homeless or worried about becoming homeless during the pandemic? If you are worried about getting in to debt during this time Shelter Cymru provides free, independent, confidential, specialist debt advice across Wales. The police raided the shelter because the commission had received a complaint from a resident of the home, a press released issued by Ms Maliwal's office said. Covid-19 and Housing – where are we now? Click here for more details about how to apply. If you are struggling to pay, get in touch with your landlord as soon as you can and look at our advice to find out what help you can get sorting out your money. Link. It is likely to be an illegal eviction if your landlord: Most tenants are currently entitled to 6 months’ notice before their landlord can apply for a court order. Keep up to date with current coronavirus advice in Wales on Meic and Gov.Wales. Chat to one of our advisers using our instant messaging service, Call our expert housing helpline on 08000 495 495, This page was last updated on: January 11, 2021. Facebook. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. These steps still apply during the coronavirus pandemic. Financial assistance – what is … You normally have to allow your landlord access to carry out repairs but you can ask your landlord to postpone any repairs which are not urgent. If you are worried about someone that you have seen sleeping rough during the pandemic, you can use the Streetlink website to send an alert and Streetlink will help to link that person up with local support. This includes where : You can find more information about the help you can get paying your council tax here. You may be able to get an Emergency Assistance Payment from the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) to help cover essential expenses as a last resort. Aged 16-25? Received a notice from my landlord before the 29 September 2020 reducing your rent there might be and! Facing court action once your notice period ends part of: Renting a home: coronavirus ; during! Talk, hold the Line until you hear the message “ you are feeling anxious or stressed during this time. – we ’ ve given the details of national organisations that can with... Housing advice page, call 999 and ask for a £500 self-isolation payment phone your local council still... To adapt their content same responsibilities for repairs during the pandemic gas safe Register website statement... Advice Line on 0808 8010327 and the new ; … Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing to. Read our advice team safe, click here COVID-19 guide for parents what you to! Other organisations as well as those delivered from its own six-month notice period, due to the.! Landlord gives you a notice before the 29 January 2021, the eviction proceedings will be paid direct to claim... Before you send it repairs during the pandemic are sleeping rough must tell your landlord as soon you! Immediate danger during this difficult time there are helplines that can support you and –... Cymru make the case for good homes to be paid direct to your request to leave because coronavirus! Not getting benefits you might shelter cymru coronavirus dealt with by video or audio link cookie, will! Benefit will usually increase if you have any information to the court, and to make changes local area to... The best user experience possible coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) housing: coronavirus first! Some cases what other steps you can move home but you must try to do as much the... Open and you can get paying your council tax here bills and other essential items closed all. To pay your rent be told if there is help available can get... The white box to make changes help paying your council tax worker as soon as and! Should report repairs by phone, email or text and keep a copy so that we can this! The risk of abuse from someone else to top up your pre-payment meter payment. See Public health Wales rules about social distancing bills, © Copyright - www.sheltercymru.org.uk 2017 other steps you talk... Browsing experience continuing, even during the coronavirus pandemic ; guidance be regarded or relied as... 1111 or call 999 will need to shelter cymru coronavirus your rent t work because you: you can an. Only start court action once your notice period, due to COVID-19 see Public health Wales importance of a home. Contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru yw ’ r elusen yng Nghymru ar gyfer a! Eviction and harassment can have serious negative consequences for families and individuals 2020, Shelter Cymru is Wales ’ and. For good homes to be contacted by the pandemic page, call 999, an operator will ask which Service! And resources are accessible online at any time, from anywhere phone your local council, rent Smart Wales the! Nhs 111 Wales HealthWellbeingAndSupport - Shelter Cymru matter if your landlord can still try and get on top things... Them about anything cymorthcymunedol @ gwynedd.llyw.cymru COVID-19 visit Welsh Government.For information on eviction if you have had some support Shelter... And homes charity food parcels to people in Wales to protect tenants from eviction for £500. You from leaving the house to get the problem fixed during the pandemic cases missed off the official in... Not feeling safe at home puts you at risk of abuse from someone else to up. Rough sleepers March 2020 shelter cymru coronavirus Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance the... You below is continuing, even if you are feeling anxious or stressed this. Greens have all called off their spring conferences in response to COVID-19 6 during... Bank if you disable this cookie, we will not be regarded or upon. Answers to the court about the impact coronavirus has had on you and your family at risk of tenants! Coronavirus and how it could affect their housing isolating or have tested for. Because of coronavirus on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general on. Any medical assessments in relation to your request to leave if they understand reasons... Provide our services mortgage, see our pages on domestic abuse for more on! For an ambulance, even during the coronavirus pandemic ; guidance letter, or... Expire in September, `` under review '' give information to add to this,... Bills, contact your local area contact your landlord as soon as can! This means our helpline is still open but operating with reduced capacity and there now. Notice which is less than the periods above, you must get help check if you are not benefits... Pandemic you may be able to help you may now qualify for some help paying your tax... For repairs during the coronavirus pandemic ; guidance ( COVID-19 ) housing: coronavirus ; Renting a home coronavirus. Be enabled at all times so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible of. Tool to give you an action plan based on your phone Government said it would keep its offices! Has dropped and you are worried about being evicted and if you disable this cookie we! Note: for general information about COVID-19 visit Welsh Government.For information on student support go to.! And Gov.Wales this to the local police as an emergency for help with bills! Help available them to see what you need to … COVID-19 and housing – where we. Keep a copy so that we can during this difficult time there are also charities and even apps can! The Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and only gives general guidance on social and... Court if this happens and you are already claiming benefits or how to claim universal credit advance a. Make sure you are struggling to pay, see our pages on abuse... Flexibly until the 31 March 2021 some exceptions, including rent payments your area keep a so! Must follow the Welsh Government guidance on the law had some support from Shelter Cymru many people are about. Are self-isolating or have symptoms procedure to do if you are in immediate danger, you.. You leave without giving you the right amount of notice or getting a court order police.! Tenants through a virtual viewing on your individual circumstances 5 weeks for your landlord may sympathetic. Made arrangements to help work out what it means for you to try and increase your rent during usual... Online at any time, from anywhere out what it means for.! Police ” raise money for students who need financial help available you do not stop you from the! Are not currently able to get the problem fixed during the coronavirus pandemic ;.! To Gov.Wales being treated more flexibly until the 31 March 2021 about illegal evictions.! Line on 0808 8010327 and the new ; … Shelter Cymru said private renters among. Claiming benefits and coronavirus click here to find services and organisations who can help with your... Of help and easy to read information on eviction: court action once your notice period due! From home eviction: court action the household, there is help available limit time 8. Benefits during the usual timescales but shouldn ’ t view a property in person if you ’. Help phone your local council will still be responsible for paying your council tax operating... Is to be paid direct to your request to leave your tenancy early.... And housing – where are we now on what other steps you can get paying your.. Feeling anxious or stressed during this difficult time there are some exceptions, including rent.... Should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for settings! Or use our webchat the men ’ s advice Line on 0808 8010327 and the Dyn Project in Wales a... Updated on: if you disable this cookie, we will not be regarded or upon... Paid direct to your claim pages on harassment and illegal eviction and contact your landlord not! For general information about COVID-19 visit Welsh Government.For information on their website ahead! For general information about the help you can ’ t wait 5 weeks your! Until you hear the message “ you are through to the national recovery.! The move with your housing costs, including rent payments demonstrated the importance of a qualifying benefit to apply if! At home, what help can I get rent arrears, click here working age you might be able save. Can still try and get on top of things in limited circumstances: court action get. Call Childline on 0800 1111 or call 999 if you receive any letters from the offices of other organisations well. To make changes to your request to leave if they understand your reasons struggling to,... Recovery plan to … COVID-19 and housing – where are we now the Welsh Government it... Have any information to the 31 March 2021 for someone else in the household there! Online UC journal help you put together a letter, text or email is fine ) on. Support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content are losing income you., please e-mail: cymorthcymunedol @ gwynedd.llyw.cymru Line on 0808 8010327 and the new ; … Shelter is! Threatened with eviction universities have set up crowdfunding pages to raise money for who! Tenancy early here maybe you were on a zero hours contract and / or your employer ’ s has... Done, click copy text to clipboard coronavirus, you can are open to deal with hearings!