Experiencing violence and harassment

We can help with a number of options if you are suffering from or escaping violence or harassment and are threatened with homelessness.. 

Violence can be an isolated incident, but it could be part of a campaign of harassment or antisocial behaviour. 

You should think about whether you want to stay in your current home or leave it (on a temporary basis or permanently). We will consider your personal circumstances, carry out a full risk assessment and discuss with you the range of help we can provide. We will also provide advice and support on personal safety measures you can take. 

Options if you want to leave your current home

Homelessness application

You can make a homelessness application to us. You are likely to be assessed as having a priority need and not being intentionally homeless you are fleeing harassment or violence. Once we have considered your application and circumstances, we may place you in temporary accommodation. 

Transfer

If you are a tenant of a local authority or housing association, you may be able to seek a transfer or exchange with another tenant. You will need to speak to your landlord to find out what options are available. 

Negotiation/mediation

You can contact us as soon as a problem arises, and we may be able to help you negotiate or mediate with the person causing the problem to resolve the matter. 

If you have the same landlord, you may also be able to ask the landlord to help with negotiation/mediation. If you try this as soon as the problem arises, it may stop it from becoming worse. 

Rely on your legal rights

If you have the same landlord and negotiation/mediation has not worked, you may be able to ask the landlord to evict the person on the grounds that they are breaching their tenancy agreement. This will depend on the circumstances, for example whether the landlord has a harassment policy which states what action the landlord should take to protect you. 

If you are considering this approach, you should try to collect evidence of the harassment, for example keeping a record of what has happened or getting photos or videos where it is safe to do so.  

Police action

There are a number of offences which could be taking place if you are subject to violence or harassment so you can consider contacting the police to report what is happening and see what they can do to help. 

Remember if you feel in immediate danger, you should contact the police on 999.  

Additional security measures

We may be able to help you by installing additional security measures, such as window locks, spy holes and door chains.

 We may also be able to set up support systems through regular contact and sometimes through a community alarm system. 

Sanctuary Scheme

If you have suffered violence, you may be eligible for our Sanctuary Scheme. This involves helping to make your home safe by creating a sanctuary room or safe room.

It is often used in cases of domestic abuse but might be helpful depending on your circumstances and the violence you have suffered. See advice on sanctuary schemes for more information, although this focuses on use in cases of domestic abuse. 

Legal action

Depending on the nature of the harassment or violence, we or the police may be able to take further legal action against the person causing the problem, such as applying for an injunction against them. 

To help us do this, it is important that you tell us everything and, where possible, collect evidence of what has happened.