Emerging Findings from Sustain PRS project

Sustain - project background 3 year research project with 128 people About people who have been resettled into PRS accommodation who have previously been homeless and approached and/or received tenancy support Focused on their experiences and wellbeing over 19 months Three case study regions: E and SE London, East Sussex and Greater Manchester

Key findings 0-2 months - people were already finding it difficult Lack of furniture or white goods Taking first property available. This had an impact on distance travelled to school, isolation and informal support People wanted to achieve housing stability and stability more broadly

Key findings 6-8 months – problems started to surface Conditions issues had become obvious People started to have problems with landlords Growing debt and struggling with bill costs especially energy People had also started to feel more comfortable in the area

Key findings 19 months - Overall, for most people things had not got better Nearly everyone reported a condition issue at this stage Relationship with landlord Area/location Costs, debt and financial issues Generally very low expectations of resolving the issue

Key findings – things to consider when finding a tenancy What helps people feel comfortable in their tenancies: Good property conditions Positive landlord relationship Good space/layout Close to informal networks and schools No threat of eviction-ability for long term planning No debt

I 0-2 months - Alice had no electricity for a month when they first moved in: “Even when we move into this property, for one month we don’t have light, we have to sleep in the dark for one month with the children. I have to cook like 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when it get dark we cannot sleep, we cannot stay downstairs because there is no light.” 19 months - The condition of the property now: “the house is not OK because it has different problem all the time. I have a leakage in the kitchen now. The water is leaking from under the sink, when we are washing the plate you see water coming out from the floor, we don’t know where the water is coming from.” Alice Fled domestic violence with her two children Moved from B&B to private rented accommodation after being placed there by the council Problems with the property – no electricity, a leak in kitchen Landlord and letting agent haven’t helped with problems Stopped paying her housing benefit shortfall to get a response from the landlord Is now in part time work after attending an ESL course

Top ten pieces of advice 1.Ask questions about what kind of help is available – 2.Check the property to make sure the conditions are ok and that no repairs need to be done 3.Understand what accepting a tenancy means and things you are responsible for in your home 4.Have a deposit rather than taking a loan to move into a property 5. Find out information about your landlord/letting agent before you move in. 6. Get it in writing 7. Support from family and friends is important 8. Make a budget and keep to it 9. Is the area/location right for you? 10. Get independent advice