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Section 202 reviews

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If you have received a formal decision and disagree with it, you may have the right to request a review under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended). This page explains what a s202 review is, which decisions can be reviewed and how to request a review.

A Section 202 review is a formal process under the Housing Act 1996 that allows you to challenge certain decisions made by your local council regarding your homelessness application. The review will be conducted by a senior officer who was not involved in the original decision-making process.

Decisions that can be reviewed

You can request a review of the following decisions:

  • Eligibility: if we decide you are not eligible for help
  • Not homeless: if we decide that you have accommodation available to you
  • What duty we owe you: if you disagree with the duty we say we owe you (prevention or relief duty)
  • Your Personalised Housing Plan: if you disagree with the steps we say we will take to help prevent you from becoming homeless or relieve your homelessness
  • Refusal to Cooperate: if we give you notice saying you have deliberately and unreasonably refused to cooperate with the steps in your plan
  • Prevention Duty: if we give you notice that your prevention duty has ended
  • Relief Duty: if we give you notice that your relief duty has ended
  • Referral to another council: if we decide to refer your case to another council
  • Main housing duty decisions: if we decide we do not owe you the main housing duty because you are not in priority need or have become intentionally homeless
  • Suitability of accommodation: this includes offers made to bring the prevention, relief duty main housing duty to an end and s193 (main duty) temporary accommodation

Requesting a review

You must request a review in writing within 21 calendar days of receiving the decision letter. Please send any s202 review requests to:

Email: [email protected]
Post: Reviews Officer, North Northamptonshire Council, Municipal Offices, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 7QX

Things to include in your request

You should state that you wish to request a review and include:

  • your full name and contact details
  • case reference number (if available)
  • reasons why you believe the decision is incorrect
  • any new information or evidence - you can submit detailed representations later, but it is important to make the initial request within the 21-day timeframe

After requesting a review

You will receive an acknowledgement letter confirming that your request for review has been received. Your case will be assessed by the Reviews officer independently, they will not have been involved in the original decision-making process. You will be invited to provide further supporting evidence or representation. You will receive a written decision explaining the outcome.

Providing new evidence

Yes, you are able to submit additional information or evidence. It is important you provide this as soon as possible to avoid delays. Examples include medical evidence, information about your household or details about why you consider an offer of accommodation to be unsuitable etc.

Review timeline

The council must complete the review within 56 days (8 weeks). If more time is needed (e.g., awaiting medical reports), you or your representative may agree to an extension.

Accommodation during the review

There is no automatic right to accommodation while a review is being carried out. You will be notified in writing whether accommodation will be provided while the review is ongoing.

Possible outcomes of the review

The reviewing officer may uphold, overturn or substitute a new decision. You will receive a written decision letter explaining the reasons.

Disagreeing with the review decision

If you disagree with the review decision and believe there has been an error in law, you have the right to appeal under Section 204 of the Housing Act 1996 to the County Court. You must appeal within 21 days of receiving the decision letter. You are strongly advised to seek independent legal advice. Free independent advice may be available from:

Last updated 22 April 2026