We're in this together
Question
My boyfriend and I have been staying at my parent's house but we need to move out because my mum has a drinking problem and my step dad is unemployed and they've told us to leave. My boyfriend has been thrown out of his house as well so we've nowhere to go. We both have jobs but don't earn much so can't afford rent and bills, what should we do?
Answer
It's natural to feel worried and anxious if you find yourself in this position but if you are at risk of being homeless there are various routs for you to try to help you find somewhere to live.
You may be able to get places in a hostel, hostels can offer short stay or longer term housing. You'll need to find one suitable for your age, sex and other needs but it's worth remembering it can be hard to get a place in a hostel and you may have to go on a waiting list.
Hostels do charge and as you are working you'll have to pay some or all of the rent yourself. You may have to go in to separate hostels, as most hostels are single sex. Even if you find a mixed hostel, you will probably have to have separate rooms. To find a hostel in your area you can contact a local advice agency or call Shelterline on 0808 800 4444.
Renting from a private landlord is another option. Look for adverts in accommodation agencies, estate agencies and newsagents' windows or in the local newspaper. If you don't earn much money, you may want to look for a shared house. If you use an agency to find your accommodation it may charge you fees if you want to take up a tenancy. You may also need money for the deposit and rent in advance.
If you don't have the deposit money, you may be able to get help from a bond scheme. These organisations will guarantee a bond instead of you having to pay a deposit. To find out if there is one in your local area you should check Crisis SmartMove or contact your local council or housing advice centre as this site does not list all schemes.
You mentioned you don't earn very much so you may be able to claim housing benefit to help you pay rent in a hostel or in a privately rented home. You can get an application form from the council. It's worth knowing that sometimes housing benefit is restricted and only pays some of your rent and some private landlords don't take people on housing benefit.
You can ask your local council for help if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness. The amount of help they give you will depend on whether you fall into a priority need group or not. The council has to provide emergency accommodation to homeless people who are in a priority need group and it has to provide advice to anyone who makes a homeless application.
Making a homeless application can be complicated so you may want to seek help and advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau or from a housing aid centre.
If you find you're not in a priority need group you can ask the council about going on their housing waiting list. Depending on the area you're in and the housing you've requested you may have a long wait before you get an offer, it may be worth asking about 'hard to let' properties. These are usually properties on unpopular estates or in bocks of high-rise flats which are not suitable for families and may be easier for you to get.
If either of you is under 21 and has been in care, then social services may have duties to help you with housing. You can read more about help from social services on the Shelter website.
It's unlikely to happen, but if you find yourself in the position where you have to sleep on the streets there is help and information available. In some areas there are night shelters where you can stay for a few nights. This can give you a chance to sort something longer term out. Day centres also operate in many towns and cities. Homeless people can go there to get cheap food, washing facilities and advice about housing options available locally.
You also mention your mum has a drinking problem, if you would like to talk to someone about this you can call Drinkline, a confidential helpline offering help, information and advice on all aspects of alcohol use and abuse, on 0800 9178282.
Good answer? Bad info? Want to tell us what you think? We'd really like to hear what you've got to say about this answer so please click here to take the survey. Your feedback is confidential and as anonymous as you like.
Question answered by Shelter
Print this page Email this page to a friend Add to favourites
