Getting housing advice from Ashford Borough Council just got easier

Ashford Borough Council has launched an enhanced online housing advice service for residents looking for help with anything from homelessness and rent arrears to housing disrepair and benefits.

Councils have a legal duty to provide information and advice about homelessness, detailing any help that is available from the council and how to access that help.

The Housing section of the council’s website already has guidance on a range of housing-related issues but that online service has been enhanced following a deal with consultancy AdviceAid, which works with local councils, housing and homelessness services providers across the UK.

The AdviceAid self-service web app is now accessible from our website, providing tailored, quality and localised housing advice in response to our customer’s needs and circumstances. Advice available is kept under regular review and updated when necessary.

And because the service is online, it is available to Ashford residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

The advice covers what to do if threatened with homelessness, tenant rights, benefits, harassment, Section 21 eviction notices, mortgage arrears, domestic abuse, rights of occupation, welfare reform, illegal eviction, rent arrears, housing disrepair and much more.

Ashford’s Assistant Director Housing Sharon Williams, said: “By teaming up with the UK’s foremost authority on providing expert housing advice, we have ensured that our residents receive comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date advice on housing-related issues.

“By investing in an enhanced housing advice service the residents of Ashford will benefit. And if as a result of this we only manage to prevent one local person from becoming homeless and going into temporary accommodation, then it will have paid for itself.”

For more information visit the AdviceAid self-service web app.