Advice if you might become homeless
Leaving home or care, evicted, leaving hospital, leaving the armed forces, leaving prison, homeless due to relationship breakdown, homeless and elderly, homeless with a mental illness.
Homeless due to non-violent relationship breakdown
Housing rights in a relationship breakdown can be complicated. It is important that you seek legal advice before leaving the property.
Many law firms offer fixed-fee interviews where you receive comprehensive advice on your legal rights to remain in the property. They can advise on how the matter can be resolved longer term.
If you are or may become homeless because of domestic abuse, find out how we can help with accommodation and housing support for domestic abuse.
Legal rights
If you have a joint tenancy or own a property with your ex-partner, you may still have rights to occupy the place you are living in together.
You may have rights to remain in the property even if this is not the case, especially if you have dependents living in the property.
If you live in social housing, it is very unlikely that your landlord will get involved with the details of who can remain in the property.
Shelter has produced a guide to housing rights related to relationship breakdowns.
How we can help
If you apply to us for housing assistance because you are homeless through relationship breakdown, we may not necessarily be legally obliged to provide you with any accommodation. Find out how to apply for housing if you become homeless.
However, we have a duty to:
- assess the circumstances of your homelessness
- identify your housing and support needs
- work with you to try to prevent your homelessness or support you to find somewhere to live
We will provide you with a Personal Housing Plan, which will explain where we can assist and what you can do to help yourself. This might include appointments with Job Centre Plus or other organisations.