If you're at risk of being homeless

Once we receive your request for a review, we will send you a confirmation letter explaining the process. If you do not have an email or postal address, correspondence is stored on our online systems. You can request copies by email or in person.

Your review will be managed by a council review officer. This will be someone who was not involved in the original decision and has expertise in housing law. They will reassess your case. This ensures that the original decision was legally sound and based on the available information. 

The new review decision will consider both your current circumstances and any changes since the original decision. We may need to make enquiries and get further information, so the process can take time. If you have a solicitor or specialist adviser, we will communicate with them directly instead of contacting you.

The time limit for completing a review depends on the type of decision and typically ranges from 3 to 12 weeks. In some cases, the review period can be extended if both you (or your representative) and the review officer agree in writing.

How to contact the review officer

You can:

• email review.team@southwark.gov.uk
• write to us by post at:

Review Team

Southwark Housing Solutions Service

PO BOX 64529

London

SE1P 5LX

The review process and the law

Section 202 of Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, instructs councils on how to carry out reviews.

The Homelessness (Review Procedure, Etc.) Regulations 2018 outline the procedures we must follow when conducting reviews. Copies of these regulations can be found in your local library, and housing advisers and solicitors will also have them.

If you believe we've made an unlawful decision, you have the right to seek a County Court Appeal under Section 204 of the Housing Act 1996. You must apply to the County Court within 21 days of receiving the review decision notification, and the appeal must be based on a point of law. It is recommended that you obtain legal advice if you decide to make an appeal.