Finding a new host (rematching): Homes for Ukraine

You could help your guests to find a new host, for example through:

• someone that you already know
• a recognised provider
• local faith groups
• community groups
• charities
• other organisations

The local council may also be able to help them find a new host.

Once your guests have found a new host, it is very important that they contact the local council so they can make the necessary checks, and to approve the arrangement. You can search for the local council. This should happen before they move in with a new host.

The new hostsponsor/host will then be eligible for thethank you payments:

• Until 1 April 2025, sponsors/hosts are eligible to receive thank you paymentpayments of £350 per monthhousehold forduring the first 12 months.months Onceof a guest’s arrival in the guestUK, hasthis increases to £500 a month once guests have been in the countryUK for 12 months,months.
• From the1 hostApril 2025, sponsors/hosts will be eligible forto areceive thank£350 youa paymentmonth ofper £500household, forirrespective the duration of ahow guest’slong Homesguests forhave Ukraine been visain permissionthe (whichUK.
• Eligible issponsors/hosts upof tothose 36previously monthson andHomes up to 18 months for guestsUkraine onvisas thewill newbe 18able monthto Homesclaim forthank Ukraineyou visapayments (whichof came£350 intoa effectmonth, onfor 19the February18 2024). Theremonths canthat onlyguests beare onecovered paymentby perthe residentialUkraine addressPermission andExtension invisa. EnglandSee itfurther willguidance beon administeredthe throughUkraine yourPermission council.
  Extension scheme.

If they want to move to another area of the UK, they must tell thetheir current local council before moving. The current council will then contact the council in the new area they want to move to, so they can make any necessary checks and can confirm the new living arrangements are suitable. If they do not do this, the guest could be at risk and the new hostsponsor/host will not be entitled to the ‘thankthank you’you payment.

If your current guests move out, you can hostsponsor/host another guest andto receivecontinue receiving the monthly thank you payment.

YouAs canof find1 outOctober more2024, informationclose iffamily members of Homes for Ukraine visa holders are not eligible to start claiming thank you sponsorpayments. aThis childapplies livingto new arrivals and those who are already in the UK withoutand move in with a parentclose orfamily legalmember. guardian,This asalso thereincludes where a guest transfers onto the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

There is a separate process for rematching children.children, you can find more information if you sponsor/host a child living in the UK without a parent or legal guardian.

Renting private accommodation

There is high demand for private rental accommodation and social housing. Some councils are using the funding they have received from the government to facilitate access to private rented accommodation for their Ukrainian guests – offering, for instance, 12 month rent guarantees or paying rent in advance. If your guests are ready to rent but are facing challenges getting into the PRS, they should contact the council to understand what schemes and offers of support are available in your area. You can find your council.

As a sponsorship comes to an end, you might want to talk with your guest about moving to a more formal arrangement, if your guest would still like to live in your property or move to another property that you own. This would mean that you may need to become a landlord, which could require you to take on more responsibilities. Your rights and responsibilities could be different depending on whether the guest remains living in your property or moves into another property you own.

Information on what this means is available in the how to let in England guide , asand well as on gov.uk:in:

• renting out a property
• rent a room in your home

This will help guests when they are ready and able to move out of sponsorship into independent accommodation. This guide is now available in Ukrainian and Russian.

If guests are considering renting their own accommodation, they can read more information about their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

There is also Information about renting in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Contacting your local council for alternative accommodation

If your guest can’t take advantage of any of the options above and you are concerned about where they will live after your sponsorship ends, contact your local council.

We have made arrivals from Ukraine under one of the Government’s schemes eligible for housing assistance from day one of their arrival. There is high demand for social housing in most parts of the country and so even those with priority for social housing may have to wait for some time before a home which meets their needs becomes available.