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Moving on from Hosted Placements

Under current guidelines, guests on the Homes for Ukraine scheme are granted an 18 month Homes for Ukraine (HFU) visa. All guests are eligible to apply for a first Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE1) visa in the 90 days before their HFU visa expires.

The UK government announced on 1 September 2025 that guests will be able to apply for a second Ukraine Permission Extension visa (UPE2), extending their leave to remain by a further 2 years. Applications to UPE2 must also be made in the 90 day window before a guest’s UPE1 visa expires. For guests holding UPE2 visas, ‘thank you’ payments will no longer be available.

The first guests in Gloucestershire will be able to apply for their UPE2 visas in the autumn of 2026, which means that the next few months are a great opportunity for guests to focus on continuing to build their independence, and for households to plan for the future. The Gloucestershire HFU team is here to support all hosts and guests reaching this point as you work out your next steps. 

We have outlined a number of options below for your awareness, and will develop this further in the weeks to come. We recommend that all households begin discussing these options and planning for the future.

Options Without Change in Accommodation:

The following options can be considered for households who wish to continue current living arrangements beyond the end of host payments.

If you and your guests decide to continue your current living arrangements without receiving ‘thank you’ payments, it may be a good time to reassess contributions to bills and household expenses.

It is important that these contributions represent a fair proportion of actual household expenses rather than a fixed monthly fee.

If contributions do not vary with actual usage or are higher than a fair share of actual bills and expenses, this may be treated as rent from a legal perspective which can change an occupant’s rights, including potentially granting them tenancy rights.

If you and your guests decide to continue your current living arrangements without receiving ‘thank you’ payments, it may be a good time to reassess contributions to bills and household expenses.

It is important that these contributions represent a fair proportion of actual household expenses rather than a fixed monthly fee.

If contributions do not vary with actual usage or are higher than a fair share of actual bills and expenses, this may be treated as rent from a legal perspective which can change an occupant’s rights, including potentially granting them tenancy rights.

The Rent a Room Scheme is a UK government initiative that allows homeowners and tenants to rent out furnished rooms in their primary residence. Where hosts and guests are living together and would like to continue, this is an excellent option to continue the arrangement beyond the HFU scheme. 

Under the Rent a Room scheme, guests would be responsible for paying rent as a lodger. Hosts will not need to pay tax on the income so long as the amount received does not exceed £7500. This limit is on a household basis; is not affected by the number of rooms provided, and includes any contributions to bills and household expenses.

For guests who may struggle to cover the cost of rent themselves, the housing element of Universal Credit is available. For lodging agreements under the Rent a Room scheme this may be calculated using the Local Housing Allowance shared accommodation rate, depending on individual circumstances.

If hosts are renting, they will need their landlord’s permission to sub-let.

The Rent a Room Scheme is not suitable for placements where guests are living in self-contained accommodation, including self-contained annexes. For hosts who are unsure of whether their guest’s accommodation is considered a separate dwelling; please contact your district council’s housing department to enquire.

For more information on renting out a room in your home, please see the following webpages; Rent a room in your home: Becoming a resident landlord - GOV.UK

For more information on the tax-free limit for Rent a Room scheme income, please see the following help sheet; Rent a Room Scheme (2025) - GOV.UK.

The Rent a Room Scheme is a UK government initiative that allows homeowners and tenants to rent out furnished rooms in their primary residence. Where hosts and guests are living together and would like to continue, this is an excellent option to continue the arrangement beyond the HFU scheme. 

Under the Rent a Room scheme, guests would be responsible for paying rent as a lodger. Hosts will not need to pay tax on the income so long as the amount received does not exceed £7500. This limit is on a household basis; is not affected by the number of rooms provided, and includes any contributions to bills and household expenses.

For guests who may struggle to cover the cost of rent themselves, the housing element of Universal Credit is available. For lodging agreements under the Rent a Room scheme this may be calculated using the Local Housing Allowance shared accommodation rate, depending on individual circumstances.

If hosts are renting, they will need their landlord’s permission to sub-let.

The Rent a Room Scheme is not suitable for placements where guests are living in self-contained accommodation, including self-contained annexes. For hosts who are unsure of whether their guest’s accommodation is considered a separate dwelling; please contact your district council’s housing department to enquire.

For more information on renting out a room in your home, please see the following webpages; Rent a room in your home: Becoming a resident landlord - GOV.UK

For more information on the tax-free limit for Rent a Room scheme income, please see the following help sheet; Rent a Room Scheme (2025) - GOV.UK.

Where guests are living in self-contained accommodation (including self-contained annexes considered as a separate dwelling), the Rent a Room scheme would not be applicable.

In these cases, formalising your current arrangements under a tenancy agreement would be required.

For guests who may struggle to cover the cost of rent themselves, the housing element of Universal Credit is available, and would be calculated using the Local Housing Allowance rates for your area.

To assist in transitions to a private rented agreement, we may be able to gift the first month’s rent and deposit to households choosing this route, as long as the arrangement is deemed affordable for tenants. 

For more information on Renting out your property, please see the following webpages; Renting out your property: Landlord responsibilities - GOV.UK.

Where guests are living in self-contained accommodation (including self-contained annexes considered as a separate dwelling), the Rent a Room scheme would not be applicable.

In these cases, formalising your current arrangements under a tenancy agreement would be required.

For guests who may struggle to cover the cost of rent themselves, the housing element of Universal Credit is available, and would be calculated using the Local Housing Allowance rates for your area.

To assist in transitions to a private rented agreement, we may be able to gift the first month’s rent and deposit to households choosing this route, as long as the arrangement is deemed affordable for tenants. 

For more information on Renting out your property, please see the following webpages; Renting out your property: Landlord responsibilities - GOV.UK.

Options With Change in Accommodation:

The following options can be considered where current guests will require new accommodation in future.

We actively encourage individuals to find their own private rented accommodation once they have acclimatised to life in the UK and can afford it.

You may be eligible to apply for a gift payment of the deposit and first month’s rent in advance, which would be paid directly to your landlord upon the signing of your tenancy agreement.

Our Resettlement Support Fund is available to support those who need help with essential household items upon moving to private rental accommodation.

Please our HFU housing webpage for more advice on how to search for private rental opportunities, and on the available support mentioned above; Housing | Gloucestershire County Council

We actively encourage individuals to find their own private rented accommodation once they have acclimatised to life in the UK and can afford it.

You may be eligible to apply for a gift payment of the deposit and first month’s rent in advance, which would be paid directly to your landlord upon the signing of your tenancy agreement.

Our Resettlement Support Fund is available to support those who need help with essential household items upon moving to private rental accommodation.

Please our HFU housing webpage for more advice on how to search for private rental opportunities, and on the available support mentioned above; Housing | Gloucestershire County Council

If guests would like to live independently but struggle to meet the costs of private rented accommodation, social housing may be available through your local council via Homeseeker Plus.

Each application is banded in accordance with the Homeseeker Plus policy depending on various factors including housing demand, an applicant’s current housing situation, and any individual requirements.

As documented within the media, the UK is experiencing a housing crisis and the issue is increasing as the population grows. Demand for social housing is extremely high and outweighs the supply. Therefore, please note that applying for social housing does not guarantee success, and the waitlist is extremely long. Finding private rented accommodation, if you can afford it, tends to be quicker and gives you a greater choice on area and type of accommodation.

Our Resettlement Support Fund is available to support those who need help with essential household items upon moving to social housing.

Please see our HFU housing webpage for more advice on all of the above; Housing | Gloucestershire County Council

If guests would like to live independently but struggle to meet the costs of private rented accommodation, social housing may be available through your local council via Homeseeker Plus.

Each application is banded in accordance with the Homeseeker Plus policy depending on various factors including housing demand, an applicant’s current housing situation, and any individual requirements.

As documented within the media, the UK is experiencing a housing crisis and the issue is increasing as the population grows. Demand for social housing is extremely high and outweighs the supply. Therefore, please note that applying for social housing does not guarantee success, and the waitlist is extremely long. Finding private rented accommodation, if you can afford it, tends to be quicker and gives you a greater choice on area and type of accommodation.

Our Resettlement Support Fund is available to support those who need help with essential household items upon moving to social housing.

Please see our HFU housing webpage for more advice on all of the above; Housing | Gloucestershire County Council

Where guests have other options such as moving in with friends or family, or moving to another country; please keep us up to date on your plans so that we can provide relevant information and advice throughout the transition.

Where guests have other options such as moving in with friends or family, or moving to another country; please keep us up to date on your plans so that we can provide relevant information and advice throughout the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Please see the frequently asked questions below, and contact us on HFUTeam@Gloucestershire.gov.uk if your question is not covered here.

Your eligibility for thank you payments will continue until the last UPE1 visa expiry date for the guests in your household. If any of your guests still hold HFU visas, you will remain eligible until the end of their first UPE1 visa.

For example in a household with two guests both holding first UPE visas, with expiry dates of 15/11/2026 and 03/12/2026; eligibility for thank you payments would end on 03/12/2026.

Please speak with your guests if you are unsure of when their UPE1 visas expire. 

Guests can view their current status by logging into their UKVI account using the following link, and pressing the green button; View your eVisa - GOV.UK

Your eligibility for thank you payments will continue until the last UPE1 visa expiry date for the guests in your household. If any of your guests still hold HFU visas, you will remain eligible until the end of their first UPE1 visa.

For example in a household with two guests both holding first UPE visas, with expiry dates of 15/11/2026 and 03/12/2026; eligibility for thank you payments would end on 03/12/2026.

Please speak with your guests if you are unsure of when their UPE1 visas expire. 

Guests can view their current status by logging into their UKVI account using the following link, and pressing the green button; View your eVisa - GOV.UK

The council tax discounts and disregards offered under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are linked to eligibility for thank you payments. As hosts will not qualify for thank you payments for hosting guests holding UPE2 visas, the discounts and disregards will not apply.

The council tax discounts and disregards offered under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are linked to eligibility for thank you payments. As hosts will not qualify for thank you payments for hosting guests holding UPE2 visas, the discounts and disregards will not apply.

Please use your district council's contact information to reach out to their housing teams, which can be found on the following pages:

Cheltenham https://www.cbh.org/contact-us/
Cotswold https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/
Forest of Dean https://www.fdean.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/
Gloucester https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/about-the-council/contact-us/
Stroud https://www.stroud.gov.uk/housing/contacts/
Tewkesbury https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/contact-us/

 

Please use your district council's contact information to reach out to their housing teams, which can be found on the following pages:

Cheltenham https://www.cbh.org/contact-us/
Cotswold https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/
Forest of Dean https://www.fdean.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/
Gloucester https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/about-the-council/contact-us/
Stroud https://www.stroud.gov.uk/housing/contacts/
Tewkesbury https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/contact-us/

 

We have seen instances of guests experiencing difficulties proving leave to remain for job applications and renting. However, the UPE application window has been extended to 90 days prior to the current visa expiring to increase flexibility, and where useful the HFU Team can also issue a letter explaining the UPE2 application process to provide employers, landlords, or letting agents with more confidence on entitlement to remain in the UK beyond the expiry of UPE1 visas.

We recommend all households discuss their future plans well in advance, and apply for UPE2 at a suitable time to minimise any hurdles relating to visa expiry dates.

We have seen instances of guests experiencing difficulties proving leave to remain for job applications and renting. However, the UPE application window has been extended to 90 days prior to the current visa expiring to increase flexibility, and where useful the HFU Team can also issue a letter explaining the UPE2 application process to provide employers, landlords, or letting agents with more confidence on entitlement to remain in the UK beyond the expiry of UPE1 visas.

We recommend all households discuss their future plans well in advance, and apply for UPE2 at a suitable time to minimise any hurdles relating to visa expiry dates.

This webpage will be updated regularly, so please check back for new information.