Tartlet if the situation where you live/work is that a notice is accepted as being evidence of homelessness then that is fine, but in large parts of the country that is not the case. In fact the advice given on Shelter's website is that the tenant should await the possession order and maybe even the bailiffs warrant. Specific mention is made that failing do do so could result in a finding of intentionality. We don't know if a S8 notice was served which is a defensible action, neither do we know if the S21 is valid as the law on when/if a S21 can be served is quite specific.
I was a homeless officer for over 25 years, as well as working in other housing roles for a considerable time ; we would regularly find applicants to be intentionally homeless because they had left a tenancy without making suitable arrangements for accommodation and just presuming that the local authority would agree with those actions. Sometimes the tenant just handed the keys to the landlord when the notice was served , sometimes even after advice from their caseworker they still decided to terminate the tenancy.
Being 'accepted onto the homeless list ' may mean different things. Has Spring applied but not had a decision letter ?
Has she had written notification that she is eligible, homeless in priority need, not homeless intentionally and with a local connection?
She will in any case have been given advice by her caseworker and should follow that advice to the letter.
I am just concerned that anyone else in a similar situation could worsen their circumstances by leaving prior to a possession order being granted to the landlord.
As an aside it was always a nightmare if an applicant just arrived 'homeless today ' particularly when this could have been avoided. Finding interim accommodation, storage for possessions, people would arrive with dogs,cats other pets, in one case a crocodile(!) , another a horse, crying children , then they would complain about the length of time it took to sort them out. Genuine emergencies are different of course , but it is better to let the local authority make plans ahead of your homelessness.