Homelessness Prevention Duty in Wales

If you are a tenant or renter facing eviction, arrears, or housing instability in Wales, the local council has legal duties to try to prevent homelessness and to relieve it where prevention is not possible. This page explains what the prevention duty means for you, the kinds of help councils must offer, the forms you may need to complete, and practical steps you can take right away to protect your home or secure alternative accommodation. The information uses plain language aimed at renters and tenants and points to official Welsh Government and tribunal sources so you can find forms, guidance and the next steps quickly.

What the prevention duty means

When you present as homeless or at risk of homelessness, your local authority in Wales must carry out an assessment and take reasonable steps to prevent you from losing your home or to help you secure settled housing. This duty is set out in devolved Welsh homelessness law and guidance and sits alongside relevant UK legislation that covers tenancies and possession.^[1] Councils must act promptly and keep you informed of decisions and any personalised plan to prevent homelessness.

How the duty works in practice

After you contact your council they will:

• carry out an assessment of your circumstances and housing needs within a short time frame;
• ask you to complete a homelessness application or housing options form so they can record your case;
• discuss options such as negotiation with your landlord, tenancy sustainment support, or mediation;
• arrange temporary accommodation when prevention or relief actions are needed while longer-term solutions are found;
• create a personalised plan of prevention or relief actions and agree who does what and by when.

Common actions councils can take

• contact a landlord on your behalf to negotiate more time or a repayment plan for arrears;
• help with access to funds for deposits or rent in advance through discretionary housing payments or emergency grants;
• signpost repairs or advice where disrepair affects your ability to stay in your home;
• provide advice on preventing illegal eviction or retaliation by a landlord.

Official forms and when to use them

There is no single, national numbered form for homelessness in Wales: most councils provide a local "homelessness application" or "housing options" form (online or paper) to start the assessment and prevention process. Use the form from the council where you are currently living to ensure your case is recorded promptly.^[2]

• Homelessness application / Housing options form — used to record your circumstances and start a prevention assessment; for example, complete this form if your landlord has given a notice and you need help negotiating a solution with them.
• Request for review of a homelessness decision — used if you disagree with the councils decision; for example, submit a written request if the council decides you are not eligible or not owed prevention or relief duties.
• Personalised prevention or relief plan (record or memo) — councils will normally record agreed steps in writing; for example, a plan might set a deadline for a landlord negotiation and list who will arrange rent support.

For detailed statutory guidance and model procedures in Wales see the Welsh Government homelessness guidance and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 on legislation.gov.uk.^[2][1]

Appeals and tribunal routes

If you disagree with a homelessness decision or a council does not follow the law, you can ask for a review and, in some cases, seek a decision or remedy through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) or appropriate review routes.^[3] The tribunal handles certain residential tenancy disputes and possession matters for England and Wales and can consider formal appeals about housing decisions in some circumstances.

FAQ

Who can ask for help under the prevention duty?

Any tenant or renter who is homeless or at risk of homelessness in Wales can contact their local council to request an assessment and prevention help.

How quickly should the council act?

Councils should act promptly and set out a personalised plan with timescales; you should be told what the council will do and by when.

What if my landlord has started possession proceedings?

If you are facing possession proceedings, contact the council immediately and provide any court papers; the council can still carry out prevention work while proceedings continue.

How-To

1. Contact your local council housing or homelessness team as soon as you know you are at risk and ask for an assessment.
2. Collect evidence: tenancy agreement, notices, rent statements, photos and messages that explain your circumstances.
3. Complete the councils homelessness application or housing options form and agree a personalised prevention plan.
4. If prevention fails, ask for relief options, ask for a written review of decisions you disagree with, and consider tribunal routes if appropriate.

Help and Support / Resources

• Welsh Government homelessness prevention and relief guidance
• Housing (Wales) Act 2014 on legislation.gov.uk
• First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) information

1. [1] Housing (Wales) Act 2014 on legislation.gov.uk
2. [2] Homelessness prevention and relief guidance on GOV.WALES
3. [3] First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) information on GOV.UK