Getting Started

Most importantly, start getting ready at least 2 months before you want to move. 

In an ideal world, hosts and guests will already know how long their agreement is likely to last, but circumstances change. Finding alternative accommodation can take 2-3 months as there is high demand for affordable properties. It also takes a lot of time, phoning estate agents, monitoring rental websites etc, so planning ahead and understanding what to do is important. 

When it's time to move on, Guests have 4 options: 

1. Find a new host ('re-hosting') via West Berks Council/Basingstoke and Dean Council or your own network.

2. Rent an apartment/house alone or with others

3. Rent a room in someone's house

4. Become a paying lodger/tenant of your current Host. 

Although in theory there is also social housing provided by the council, in practice the waiting list is extremely long (years) and you're unlikely to find accommodation this way. 

We have assumed most Guests will want to rent (option 2 or 3) so we have created 'Pre-move' and 'Post-move' checklists, but everybody's situation is unique so we can only offer general advice. Now that some Guests have already started renting, the Telegram group (Guests) and WhatsApp group (Hosts) is a vital source of first-hand knowledge so you can ask your questions there. We also have a few Hosts who have extensive experience of helping people find accommodation and they will help as much as they can. 

It's a good idea to let the West Berkshire Council Ukraine Hub know you are planning to move/stop hosting on Ukraine@westberks.gov.uk