Temporary accommodation might be a hotel, hostel, flat, house, bedsit or a room in a shared house. It may be located outside of the borough, or even outside of London.
You may need to move at short notice multiple times while you are in temporary accommodation. This will not always be within the same area.
When you are in temporary accommodation you must pay rent and bills. You may be entitled to benefits to help toward the cost of rent and bills. Visit moving into and paying for temporary accommodation.
Only a small proportion of people who approach the council end up in temporary accommodation. Most people manage to find their own solution or work with the council to find alternative accommodation, such as private renting.
Temporary accommodation is not a fast track to social housing. Many people leaving temporary accommodation do so by moving into the private rented sector.
Find out more about preventing homelessness and get other housing advice.
How long could you be in temporary accommodation
It is common for people to be in temporary accommodation for many years. You should be looking for a long-term home while you are in temporary accommodation.
People who have been able to move into social housing this year have spent an average of 7 years waiting. Because there is not enough social housing, we will need to make you an offer of accommodation in the private rented sector.
Finding a suitable and secure home for your household will be much quicker if you look for somewhere yourself to rent privately. It will also enable you to have greater choice and control over where you live. If you find your own private rental, you can stay on Lambeth’s housing register and continue to bid for social housing.
Visit moving out of temporary accommodation into a long-term home.
How we decide on the temporary accommodation we offer you
We will consider the needs of you and your household when we decide what type of accommodation to offer you.
Factors we will look at include:
- Affordability based on how much you earn and how much rent you can pay
- Employment and your travel time to work
- Education for example whether any children in the family have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- Medical needs such as needing to attend regular hospital appointments
- Safety such as being at risk of violence or domestic abuse
About the accommodation
Temporary accommodation is often very basic. It could be a:
- room in a shared house
- hotel room
- flat or house from a private landlord
- hostel with shared facilities
- refuge or other housing with support
Temporary accommodation might have:
- limited cooking facilities
- shared facilities, such as shared kitchens and bathrooms
Pets are not usually allowed in temporary accommodation.
You may need to put your possessions into storage as temporary accommodation is usually furnished. You can bring small items with you like bedding, kitchen utensils, a TV or radio, clothing, toys and other essentials.
You can receive visitors during the day, but they cannot stay overnight. You may need to sign guests into your temporary accommodation.
To find available support for moving into temporary accommodation, read Shelter’s guide on types of emergency housing.
Location of the accommodation
Temporary accommodation is in very short supply. There is not enough available in Lambeth, or in London, for everyone who needs it. Fewer than 1 in 5 people who move into temporary accommodation remain in Lambeth. Most people need to move further away to where there is more accommodation available.
We will take your personal circumstances into account when deciding where your temporary accommodation will be. Only those with a strong need to stay in Lambeth will be able to.
You can find out how we decide the location needs of each household in our Housing Placement Policy (PDF 192KB).
Not happy with the accommodation we offer you
You will only be made one offer of suitable temporary accommodation. If you refuse this offer, no further offer will be made and your homelessness application will be closed.
Find out about your right to request a review of a decision on our report a problem with your temporary accommodation page.
Support with moving in to the accommodation
Our Emergency Support Scheme (ESS) can provide assistance in some cases. This can include help to find furniture and white goods. See if you qualify for the ESS.
Do you feel unsafe in your accommodation?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999.
If your property is unsafe, you should contact the Temporary Accommodation Team on 020 7926 1000.
They may need to ask you for further information before they look into your case. Where necessary, you may be offered a different property.
Tell us about a change in your household circumstances
You must tell us about any change in your household circumstances or change in accommodation. This includes if it is no longer suitable for your needs.
Find out how to tell us if your household circumstances have changed on our report a problem with your temporary accommodation page.
Depending on what has changed in your household, we may need to transfer you to another property.