A council has launched a service it names ‘Call Before You Serve’ to try to reduce incidents of homelessness in its area.

Oona Hickson, a councillor with financial responsibilities for Chichester council in West Sussex, writes on her authority’s website: “Call Before You Serve … aims to assist landlords who are considering serving eviction notices to their tenants. Eviction is often a last resort on the landlord’s part, and the aim of this initiative is to help resolve any tenancy issues and prevent eviction action needing to be taken. The idea is to develop better relationships with local landlords in order to help bring on more properties that they may have in their portfolio. 

“… These schemes can offer a range of support from creating a personalised housing plan with the tenant; to resolving issues that may be impacting on their tenancy; to helping tenants to address financial difficulties that have led to getting into arrears with rent payments; through to support from housing benefit services, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local government homelessness prevention funds, charities and money advice services.

“We know from the research that we have carried out that schemes such as these can have a huge impact on helping private landlords stay in the market, knowing that they have support and advice. Unlike private letting agents, we can also support tenants who are struggling or experiencing issues and ensure that they stay in accommodation.”

Hickson continues that her council has created a dedicated ‘Supporting You’ team of trained advisors to help tenants access help on maximising income; debt signposting; employment advice; budgeting support; food provision; help to pay bills; plus, signposting clients to health and wellbeing services.