Desperately seeking housing
Question
I'm 16 and I live with my parents at the moment but really want to move out. They aren't forcing me out, but the arguing is really getting me down. I really feel like I'm ready to be independent and they're planning on moving abroad soon too, So that's another reason I'd like to be able to get a roof over my head now.
This situation is really stressing me out but I've left school and don't have any money and really don't want to end up in a hostel. Is there anywhere I can go?
Answer
It can be quite stressful living at home, especially when there are lots of arguments going on. But it can also be very difficult getting your own place to live, especially if you're not earning a decent wage.
You mentioned you don't have any income. If you're forced to leave home, for instance if your parents went abroad, then you should be able to claim benefits to live on. These would include a small amount to live on, plus housing benefit to pay towards your housing costs (like rent). Benefits are very complicated so you might want get face-to-face advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
You said you don't want to end up in a hostel but there are many different types of supported housing so it might be worth investigating it a bit further to see if you would feel OK about some of them. It might be one of your most realistic options.
There are various different types of hostels and supported housing. Many will provide support with life skills such as budgeting, and will help you find somewhere to live for when you leave the hostel. In some hostels you will have your own room and will share facilities, in others you may have to share a room. In supported housing schemes you may share a house with a few other people, or may get a self contained flat. You would usually have a worker who will visit you and provide advice and support. If you get benefits, then you should be able to claim housing benefit to help with the charges for the supported housing or hostel but you will have to pay an amount each week to cover things like heating and meals.
Most long-term hostels and supported housing schemes have waiting lists and you will probably need to have an interview and fulfil certain criteria to get a place. You can approach hostels directly, but many will need a referral from an agency, such as social services or Connexions. To find out more about hostels in your area you can contact your local advice centre.
Another option is private rented housing. You can try estate agents/lettings agencies or advertisements in local newspapers. If you use an agency they will usually charge fees for things such as references and administration charges. You will need money up front to pay for rent in advance (usually one month) and a deposit (at least the equivalent of one month's rent).
This may not be a very realistic option as most landlords will not grant a tenancy to anyone under 18. This is because legally you cannot hold a tenancy until you are 18. But there are ways round this. Someone can hold the tenancy on trust for you until you are 18. This can be the landlord or another adult, such as a social worker if you have one. If you are under 18, a landlord may require a guarantor, who would be liable for the rent if you failed to pay it. If you find somewhere to rent, you may be eligible for housing benefit.
At the moment it doesn't sound like you're going to be homeless. If you did become homeless the council have duties towards certain groups of homeless people. You can find out more about the sort of help you can get if you're homeless and how to make a homeless application on Shelter's website, you can also call Shelterline on 0808 800 4444.
As you can see there is a lot you'll need to think about if you want to leave home. It can be very difficult for young people to find somewhere suitable, so the more preparation you can do in advance, the better.
Updated: 30/09/2008
Question answered by Shelter
