Housing - Introduction

Having a home is essential if you are to get on with the rest of your life. At any age, the decision and process of leaving home is an extremely big step. You will need advice before starting out, so speak to one of the specialist agencies for young people before you make any decisions. If you are leaving care, your Social Worker will be able to help you.

If you are a young person who is homeless or you are sleeping on friends’ floors, the local authority will help you, but this is an extremely difficult process so you will need help from an advice agency. In central London, you need to be aware that there is a shortage of accommodation, so the Local Authority may have trouble housing you and in many cases you will get, at best, a hostel place.

If you have already rented your own place, either alone or with friends, you will have tenants rights. However, once again this is a complex area and if there are difficulties with your landlord you need to contact a housing advice agency.

These pages will give you more advice on housing issues and where you can go for help.