We know that many of our customers are looking for ways to offer help to Ukrainian people affected by the escalating conflict in Ukraine. If you’d like to offer your home to Ukrainian refugees as part of the Government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine Scheme’ here’s a link to the Government’s website which will tell you what you need to know. A summary of the key points is detailed below:

Can I sign up for the scheme?

We can confirm that all our customers can sign up regardless of what tenancy or lease you have with us. The government sets out that sponsors should provide accommodation for as long as they are able to, but there’s a minimum expectation of 6 months. Those who provide accommodation through the scheme will be offered an optional thank you payment of £350 per month. This will be made to people who can accommodate one or more household (subject to the accommodation they have).

You can let us know if you’re going to sign up by taking the below steps.

After registering your interest for the Homes for Ukraine scheme

Please inform us if you’ve registered your interest for the scheme via our Contact Us page. 

If a Ukrainian family or individual moves into your home as part of the scheme

Let us know if you have a family staying with you as part of the scheme. You can do so via our Contact Us page. 

What we know so far

Please find some key information below, taken from the government’s latest update:

• The government has confirmed that the £350 per month payment will not be treated as income for the purposes of benefit entitlements, but it’s not clear how this exemption will work in practice.
• Eligibility checks will be carried out which may include a visit to your home.
• It’s not expected that people coming to the UK under the scheme will be able to access housing benefits, at least in the short-term, as sponsors will not be able to charge rent. This said, refugees will be able to apply for other benefits and to seek and take up employment.

For more information on what the campaign is about, how the scheme will work and how it may impact you and what’s expected if you sign up, please visit the Government’s dedicated webpage. Or go to its Frequently Asked Questions web page.