If you are not happy with a homeless decision

If you are not happy with the outcome of our decision, you can request a review of the decision.

Decisions we can review

We can review these decisions:

  • your eligibility for help from us
  • what duties (if any) we owe to you
  • the steps taken by the housing authority at the prevention and relief stages in your personalised housing plan
  • the end of your prevention and relief duties, including the suitability of housing we offer when these duties end
  • that we have denied help to you because you have refused to co-operate with us
  • to refer your case to another authority
  • the suitability of temporary, socially rented, or private rented housing offered to you when we owe you a main duty

Requesting a review decision

Your decision letter will clearly state if you have a right to review the decision.

You must request the review within 21 days of receiving your decision letter. We will only accept reviews after this time in special circumstances.

How long it takes to get a review decision

The length of time it will take for giving a review decision will depend on the decision being reviewed.

Once you submit a request to review, you will be sent a confirmation letter or email. This will confirm the timescale by which you should receive your review decision.

In some cases, the council will need more time to review the decision than the time stated on the confirmation letter or email. If this happens, an extension will be agreed with you by the reviewing officer.

If you have not received a review decision on time and an extension has not been agreed with you, contact your original caseworker.

Possible outcomes of a review decision

The possible outcomes of a review decision are to:

  • uphold the original decision
  • overturn the original decision to a full duty
  • overturn the original decision to one of the other possible outcomes

I want to appeal the review decision

If you believe that the review decision is wrong, you have the right to appeal to the County Court.

You must do this within 21 days of getting the decision. We recommend that you seek legal advice to do this.

For information on how to appeal to the County Court, visit Shelter England.

Getting temporary housing during a review

If we think you have a priority need , we may provide you with temporary housing whilst you are waiting for your review decision. If you need temporary housing, request it at the same time you request your review.

If we think you have a priority need and you want to appeal your review decision through the County Court, we may provide you with temporary housing. If you need temporary housing whilst you are waiting for an appeal decision from the County Court, let us know.

We can decide whether to give you temporary housing when you are seeking a review decision or County Court appeal.

Page last updated: 15 June 2023

rating button