Housing Solutions for Young People
Almost everyone leaves home eventually, but careful thought and consideration is needed to make this move as smooth as possible, otherwise you could be faced with a number of difficult problems, even risking becoming homeless.
Once you are 18 you can leave home without your parent’s or guardians’ permission but if you are 16 or 17 and want to move out you will need their consent. Even if you are given permission it is still not a good idea to move out at such a young age as you may have problems finding a place to live. You are not legally allowed to have a tenancy until you are 18 years old.
This is a lot to think about and it is a good idea to talk over these issues with family, friends or a Housing Solutions Officer.
Are you ready to leave home?
Before moving out it is important to see how practical a decision it is:
- Do you know how to find somewhere to live?
- Are you ready to do your own cooking, washing and cleaning?
- Are you close enough to keep in touch with family and friends?
- Will you have enough money for a deposit and the first months rent?
- Do you know how to claim benefits if you need help to pay the rent?
- Do you know what furniture you will need to get?
- Will you know where to get help or support if you need it?
Can you afford to leave home?
You should also ask yourself whether you would be able to afford moving out.
- Do you have money to pay the rent?
- Will you be able to afford food, gas, electricity, council tax, TV licence?
- How much money will you have to spend on furniture?
- Will you miss going out with friends if you have less money?
What are your housing options?
If you believe that you are ready to move out, you should also give a lot of thought to the type of accommodation you want to move into.
- Are you prepared to share facilities with others?
- Is the accommodation in a good state of repair?
- Are the doors secure with good locks?
- Is the landlord fully accredited, or known to be a good landlord?
Most people leaving home move into privately rented property, but many landlords are reluctant to let their properties to younger people, especially if you receive Housing Benefits.
When looking for a place to move into it is a good to check shop windows, local newspapers, or ask friends and relatives if they know of anywhere to live. Whilst letting agencies and estate agencies also advertise places to rent.
Paying for your rent
Once you have found a place that you like, you will probably be expected to leave a deposit equivalent to the first months rent, and also pay the first months rent in advance.
If you claim benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance you may get some help with paying your rent, but housing benefits are often restricted for younger residents, so please contact the Housing Options team to see how much allowance you are entitled to.
You will also need to open a Bank or Building Society account in order to set up a direct debit to pay your rent and other bills. Housing options or Connexions can give you more information on setting up an account and what information you’d need.
Registering for social housing
If you are 16 or 17 you can apply with Trust Homechoice. Most Housing Associations will not accept you as a tenant until you are 18 years old. If you are a couple you both need to be 18 or over. Use this link for more information on how to join Trust Homechoice which is the Choice Based Lettings scheme operating throughout Cheshire West and Chester and provides access to social housing.
Supported accommodation and floating support
Some accommodation providers offer a range of ‘support’ to residents to help them develop independent living skills, education attainment, and aid entry into employment. They will also help you contact other Services were necessary.
Some residents are assigned a ‘floating support worker’ who assigned to them personally rather than the property. This means that the support can follow the resident even if they move property, and will last as long as the client needs it. These meetings could be daily, weekly, or less frequent timescale. You don’t have to live at a certain address to receive the support.
What help can you get if you are homeless?
Homelessness doesn’t just mean sleeping on the streets. It can also mean your parents asking you to leave and you having nowhere else to go. You family moving out of the area and no longer being able to accommodate you, or being unable to return home due to domestic abuse.
Whatever the circumstances are the Housing Solutions team will take action to prevent you becoming homeless, or to aid you in finding somewhere else to live. It would help us if you could take any relevant documents with you regarding your housing situation or benefits details to your assessment. If you are not a UK citizen the officer will need more details of your immigration status. Where it is possible that homelessness can be prevented the Housing Officer will discuss the next steps and what action can be taken.
Preventing homelessness
Cheshire West and Chester Council has a legal duty to try and prevent homelessness were possible, this can be done through the following actions.
Mediation
If you are currently living with parents or family and have been asked to leave, it may be possible to talk with your family to enable you to stay at home, or to extend your stay whilst you look for your own accommodation. The Housing Options mediation is completely voluntary, confidential and impartial.
Night-Stop
Night-stop is an emergency accommodation scheme run by Forum housing; aimed at young homeless people. This program plans to provide emergency accommodation for one or two nights, placing you with volunteer homes across Cheshire, providing a warm, safe environment and a regular meal. This scheme provides a ‘breathing space’ for both you and your family, or immediate accommodation in case of emergency.
Private rented accommodation
If you are in danger of losing your tenancy, because you are being treated unfairly by your landlord, have fallen behind with the rent, or have breached your tenancy, we can negotiate with your landlord, or help you defend possession proceedings to avoid losing your home. Floating support can also be offered to help you manage your tenancy better.
Benefits advice and debt counselling
You can speak to a Housing Options Advisor if you need advice regarding your Housing Benefit claim, either before you move to your accommodation, or if you are struggling to meet a shortfall in rent payments. The Citizens Advice Bureau also has advisors who specialize in providing money and benefits advice.
Supported accommodation
If you have support needs, they will be identified during your Housing Options assessment. The team can help find suitable supported accommodation for you if required.
Housing register
If you want to apply for the Housing register we can help you to complete the appropriate paper work.
What if I’m homeless tonight?
If you find that you have nowhere to sleep tonight the first thing you can try is to find out if can stay with family and friends until you can sort things out. This would allow you stay in a safe environment with people you know. You should also contact the Housing Solutions team as soon as possible to arrange an interview for advice and assistance.
It is very dangerous for young people to sleep on the streets. If you cannot find anyone to stay with for even one night, you can contact the Housing Solutions team for advice.
If accommodation is provided, this must be followed up by an interview with a Housing Solutions Advisor on the next working day.
Other useful contacts:
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 0151 357 3853
- Connexions: 0151 355 7135
- Shelter: 0808 800 4444* (free phone helpline, open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week, some mobile phone networks may charge.)
"Calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks (Virgin, Orange, 3, T-mobile, Vodafone and O2)." and "Shelter's advice offices in Chester and surrounding areas can also help. Details are on the Shelter website.
- For further information please read our leaflet on Housing Options and Young People (PDF, 238KB)