We are sure you will all agree that what is happening in Ukraine, naturally, is very upsetting and as a nation we all try to do all we can to help. This may include donations of clothes, toiletries or money. The Department for Levelling Up has announced an incentive for anyone living in the UK who would like to become a sponsor and help by offering a spare room or home to Ukrainian refugees.
Ukrainian refugees who are successful in entering the UK, would be permitted to remain in the UK for three years and would also be entitled to universal credits as well as able to work within this time.
Sponsors who are successful in offering accommodation, must have accommodation available for a minimum term of six months. To help with the costs, the government will pay £350 per month to the household for a maximum of one year. It maybe worth noting the payment is based on per property and not per refugee.
Any person that receives a discount for single person’s council tax would still benefit from this.
However, the areas of concern and questions that landlords or tenants may wish to clarify before applying to become a sponsor would be.
1/ If the person offering a spare room is in receipt of universal credit or housing benefit would this be affected.
2/ By becoming a sponsor could this create a HMO (Houses in multiple occupation), and mandatory licensing may be required for five or more people from two or more households living in one property.
3/ Would you need to notify the insurance company to make sure you don’t invalidate any insurance policies a landlord may have,
There are lots of potential questions that may not yet have a clear answer but hosts have, at this time, to arrange their own tie up with a specific refugee. Assistance can be found via https://www.refugeesathome.org/
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