The UK Government is responsible for immigration matters. The Welsh Government is responsible for housing, education, health and your integration in Wales.
You may be aware that guests in hotels have the option to look for their own accommodation in the private rental sector. I urge you to do this as soon as you are able. The Welsh Government has created a “pathway” to support you in finding rented accommodation in Wales. Local authorities have also received a letter to advise about the pathway. The local authority can receive a package of funding from the Home Office to support you to resettle in their area. Not all Welsh local authorities have yet signed up to this pathway scheme, but I am encouraging them to do so.
Please have a discussion with the supporting staff at your hotel to consider accommodation options for you and your family in the private rental sector. Please research properties and rental prices on websites such as Rightmove or Zoopla as lots of landlords will advertise their properties there.
The Welsh Government and local authorities want to help you find longer-term accommodation, in Wales. We are pleased that you have come to Wales and we want you to stay. The steps below should help you to look for rental accommodation in Wales to help you move on from your hotel. Support staff at the hotel will help to guide you along this path.
The UK Government has taken the decision to close your hotel. So you need to consider your options carefully. Before you start, consider the steps below. You are able to leave your hotel accommodation at any time. But if you do not follow this pathway, you may not be able to receive financial support.
1. What kind of property can I afford? –
Renting accommodation in the UK can be expensive. Yet, you may be able to find financial support to help you afford your bills. If you are eligible for Universal Credit, this may pay most of the rental costs you need to pay.
Your local authority may also be able to provide funds to cover the remaining rental costs for a time-limited period. Other funding may be available to help to furnish your rented property if needed. Some local authorities can pay towards deposits to help you secure your property. If you need more space or building adaptations because of a disability, your local authority might be able to identify additional help.
Speak with Home Office and Council staff at your hotel as soon as you are able to help you understand what is affordable for you and your family.
Once you have discussed funding available to you, consider what you can afford.
This website may help you to budget: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/homes/renting/how-much-rent-can-you-afford?source=mas# The rental price advertised on websites often does not include the costs of bills. Check the details carefully and speak to your hotel support staff if you are unsure.
2. Where would I consider living? – You have the right to settle anywhere in the United Kingdom under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy or Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. We would love you to remain in Wales but you do not have to do this. We encourage you to consider all areas of Wales for your next move. Although you have the right to settle anywhere in the UK, some areas are more in demand than others.
Rental costs are often cheaper outside of large cities. Local authorities outside of large cities may also find it easier to support you, as fewer community members are likely to be resettling there.
You can find out a bit about each area and visit their websites via the Welsh Government’s Sanctuary website: https://www.sanctuary.gov.wales/localarea You can find out more about Welsh places through these websites: https://www.wales.com/lifestyle/living/thinking-moving-wales http://understandingwelshplaces.wales/en/map/
You may be concerned that you do not know people in other parts of Wales but every area has supported refugees from different countries in recent years. Wales is a welcoming place and refugees tend to integrate well with local neighbours. Local authority staff at your hotel will be able to get in touch with other local authorities to see if they can help you resettle in their area. Some may not be able to support you financially but this does not mean that you cannot move to that area if you find suitable property.
3. Where can I find suitable properties? –
Once you know where you would like to move and what you can afford, you can start looking for your property. We recommend using websites like Zoopla, Rightmove or OpenRent to look for properties. Many landlords will advertise their properties on these websites.
We encourage you to discuss your preferences with the support staff at the hotel. Sometimes local authorities will have good relationships with landlords, which means properties are offered to them before being advertised online. Landlords advertising properties in Wales should be registered with Rent Smart Wales. The tenancy should be managed by a licensed person. You can search the public register to check the landlord is properly registered and the proper licence is in place here: https://rentsmart.gov.wales/en/check-register/
Rent Smart Wales also includes lots of information about your rights as a tenant in Wales, available here: https://rentsmart.gov.wales/en/tenant/
Be careful of scams on renting websites, particularly those who require fees up front. Generally you should only have to provide a returnable holding deposit, a tenancy deposit which has to be protected, and rent up-front to begin a tenancy. You can find more information about the payments that you can (and can’t) be asked for here: https://rentsmart.gov.wales/Uploads/Downloads/00/00/01/09/DownloadFileEN_FILE/tenant-letting-fees-detailed-guidance.pdf
Before you provide any payment information we urge you to discuss the property you like with hotel support staff.
4. Who can help me secure a property I like? -
The local authority may be able to help you secure a property by speaking to the landlord. Rented properties are in high demand. You are unlikely to be the only person interested in a property when it is advertised so it is important that you act quickly.
We recommend that you create property search alerts with the websites mentioned above. This will notify you when a new property is advertised. You should also speak as quickly as you can to the local authority if you need their support to secure the property. Consider that local authority staff may take some time to respond to your request. You may miss out on several properties before you are successful so be prepared to compromise. Your next move does not need to be where you stay for your whole time in the UK.
5. Confirm Resettlement support -
Speak with the support staff at your hotel as soon as you have found a suitable property. They can talk to you about your support options with your new local authority. If you have secured a property, you are likely to need to pay a deposit and first month rental costs. Assistance from your new local authority may be given at this point. This may include funding towards a deposit, rental costs, or furniture costs. Every local authority is different and some may be able to provide more or less support.
6. Moving Day-
Your new local authority may provide ongoing resettlement support. For example helping you find a nearby school and access to medical services. The Home Office can help you with transport and moving your belongings to your new home. The support staff at your hotel can give you advice on this.
Throughout this process, it is important that you speak with support staff at the hotel about any concerns you may have. Keeping support staff at the hotel updated with any agreements you make on renting a property is important. This will help to make sure everyone can support your move without delays.
The finding rental accommodation in Wales pathway has been designed to help you find accommodation in the private rental sector. This process, with support of council staff in your hotel, will help you to find a new home. This process has been set up as there are unlikely to be many offers of accommodation from the Home Office. If you receive an offer, we urge you to accept it as you will not get another.
How will this process work?
Your council and support workers at your hotel will help you find out what you can afford, taking into account your income, whether through employment or Universal Credit, by offering you an appointment to discuss you family’s circumstances.
How do I know which areas I want to move to?
Your council staff will discuss areas you may be interested in. These areas could be where you have family, friends and the services that you need. Council staff will also help you to identify which areas are affordable for you. You may want to consider areas where rental costs are cheaper, but you may still be able to travel to bigger cities.
Do I have to pay for my accommodation when I move out of my hotel accommodation?
Yes, you will be expected to pay for your accommodation but financial assistance through Universal Credit may be available to support you.
If you are renting from a private landlord, you may receive up to the Local Housing Allowance rate for your area to cover or help with the cost of rent. You can check the Local Housing Allowance rates to see if you can afford to live in the area you want. You should also look at this advice about managing rent payments on Universal Credit
What else will I have to pay for when I move out of initial accommodation?
If you rent, you will have to pay for gas, electricity, water and council tax. You will also have to pay for a Television licence if you have a television and for internet if you need it.
The way you pay these bills will depend on the provider. Payment is usually via a direct debit, which will go straight out of your bank account.
If you are eligible for Universal Credit payments, you can use these for part or all these costs. This will depend on how much you are eligible to claim.
If you are receiving benefits, you may also get to discounted rates on these bills. Speak to the council and Home Office staff at the hotel who will be able to help you.
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What does it mean to move with support of the new council?
If you move with the support of your new council, you will receive help to settle into your new home and community. This may include support with housing costs (such as deposit, initial rent, furniture), registering with schools and GPs, assistance with accessing employment and English language training.
What if I move without support from the new council?
You can still move to an area without the support from the new council, if the property is suitable and affordable. Moving without help from the new council will mean you may not receive help accessing services. There is lots of information on our Sanctuary Website to help you find out information about services.
I need support with initial housing costs, is that available?
If you move to an area where the new council have agreed to support you, they may be able to help with initial costs like deposit, initial rent and furniture. Your current council may also be able to help with these costs if needed.
Properties move so quickly; how can I increase my chances of getting one?
To increase your chance of being accepted for a property, you should identify multiple areas of interest, and search for multiple properties.
I do not have a UK guarantor, what do I do?
You should speak to your council staff about your options, such as asking family or friends to act as your guarantor or using rent guarantee schemes.
Do I have to sign a tenancy agreement?
Under a new law in Wales, tenants and licencees are now known as 'contract-holders'. Tenancy agreements have been replaced with 'occupation contracts'.
The new law will make renting easier and provide greater security.
For contract-holders this will mean:
- receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities
- an increase in the ‘no fault’ notice period from two to six months
- greater protection from eviction
- improved succession rights, these set out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example after the current tenant dies
- more flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract
Where can I find more information?
You can speak to council staff in your current accommodation for more information about securing your own property, affordability, areas to look and how you can be supported.
Will my Universal Credit be stopped if I have to leave my employment because I have to move to a different area for more permanent accommodation?
It is very important that you tell Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as you start discussing a move to more permanent accommodation.
DWP officers will be able to understand your personal circumstances and assess your ongoing Universal Credit entitlement. It will also enable them to work with teams in your new location to help ensure support is in place to find alternative employment when you arrive.
The Welsh Government works closely with the Department of Work and Pensions so they understand that people may need to move to different areas in Wales. We are working to ensure where possible this does not interrupt your Universal Credit claim.
If you move address, and you are in receipt of any benefits (disability, working age, retirement) you must tell the Department of Work and Pensions your new address so that they can stay in contact with you.
If you are already at a location such as a hotel where the Department of Work and Pensions is present, tell them your new address and they will help support you in reporting this change.
Will my Universal Credit be stopped if I have to leave my employment because I have to move to a different area for more permanent accommodation?
It is very important that you tell Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as you start discussing a move to more permanent accommodation. You can do this either via your Work Coach or by keeping your client journal up to date, to avoid any sanctions.
This will allow your work coach to understand your personal circumstances and assess your ongoing Universal Credit entitlement. It will also enable them to work with teams in your new location to help ensure support is in place to find alternative employment when you arrive.
The Welsh Government works closely with the Department of Work and Pensions so they understand that people may need to move to different areas in Wales. We are working to ensure where possible this does not interrupt your Universal Credit claim.
If you move address, and you are in receipt of any benefits (disability, working age, retirement) you must tell the Department of Work and Pensions your new address so that they can stay in contact with you.
If you are already at a location such as a Welcome Centre where the Department of Work and Pensions is present, tell them your new address and they will help support you in reporting this change.
My child is registered in a local school, am I able to stay nearby?
We are unable to guarantee that your new accommodation will be in a location that enables your child(ren) to remain in their current school. You may need to get support from the council or find information on registering your child for a new school placement. The Sanctuary Website has lots of information about finding school placements for children.
If I look to rent my own accommodation how long will I have to commit to as I may want to move somewhere else?
Landlords will usually ask you to sign a contract for a fixed term period of 6 or 12 months. They will expect you to pay your rent each month for the duration of the contract. If you are supported by your local authority to resettle, moving away may also mean that you can no longer receive that support.
Are there restrictions on the number of bedrooms accommodation must have?
Whilst it is possible for you to move into accommodation that does not have one bedroom per person, you must consider if there is enough living space for you and/ or your family. Move on accommodation will be long term.
It is important that your new home is safe for you and your family. If a rented home is so crowded that it is dangerous then the local authority might say that it is not suitable for a family to live in it.
For example, a house of 3 or more bedrooms might be suitable for a family of 5 (depending on factors such as the age of the children, the layout of the property and bedroom sizes). If the house had fewer than 3 bedrooms, it might not be safe for the family.
Whilst you are in hotel accommodation, your council can explain to you what size of property is appropriate for you and your family.
Welsh Government Website – Information on renting in Wales
Renting a property | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES
Working Wales - guidance and access to training to help you get into work
Working Wales | Working Wales (gov.wales)
Business Wales guidance and advice on starting a business in Wales
Supporting businesses in Wales | Business Wales (gov.wales)
Welsh Government Website – School Placements
School admissions and appeals: frequently asked questions [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Welsh Government Website – Homeless
Support if you are homeless or about to become homeless | GOV.WALES
Victim Support for advice and support if you are a victim of hate crime
Welsh Refugee Council – Wales Sanctuary Service for advice and support