Housing hassle
Question
I'm 17 and I'm at college full time but I really, really want to move out of home. Can I get any help to actually do this?
Answer
Leaving home is a big step and there's a lot to think about. There is help available to you but because there is a shortage of affordable housing for young people in many areas of the country your options will depend on where you are, whether you need to leave immediately, and what kind of course you are on.
One option might be to find out if there is supported housing for 17 year olds in your area. Supported housing can include hostels, shared houses, or a flat of your own. You normally get help from support workers who visit you regularly or work in the same building. They often help you with benefits, housing, training, education or anything you might need extra help with.
One example of supported housing is a Foyer. Foyers provide housing, training and support for young people; they usually want you to sign an agreement agreeing to take part in training or education. Find out what supported housing exists in your area by talking to a local advice agency such as a Citizens Advice Bureau or a housing aid centre.
You didn't say why you want to leave home so it's unclear if you have any choice to stay at home or not. The council might class you as homeless if your parents threw you out of home. You could also be classed as homeless if it is unsafe to stay at home, for instance if your parents are hitting you.
If your council does class you as homeless, then, as you are 17, it will usually have a legal responsibility to provide you with help, including finding you somewhere to stay. This help might be provided by social services or by the housing department. You can find the number for both of these departments in your local yellow pages.
Another option could be to rent a place from a private landlord, but most landlords will not give a tenancy to anyone under 18 because, legally, you cannot hold a tenancy until you are 18. There are ways round this, for instance 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. Your landlord may also ask that you have a guarantor; this is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you leave without paying it.
To find a private landlord try estate agents, lettings agencies or advertisements in local newspapers. You may also find advertisements in newsagents' windows. Alternatively, if there is an accommodation officer or welfare officer at your college, they may know of landlords who rent places to students.
If you do use an agency it 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). You may be able to get help from a deposit/bond scheme if there is one in your area.
If you do find somewhere to rent, and you are on benefits or a low income, you may be eligible for housing benefit to help pay your rent. Most single people under 25 who rent from private landlord can only get housing benefit (HB) to pay for a single room in a shared house. There are separate rules for people who have been in care. Most full-time students and trainees can't get HB at all. Shelters website gives more information about housing benefit for young people.
Your question didn't include information about your income. The rules about benefits are complicated. The Learning and Skills Council provides information about financial help for students under 19.
If you are homeless and in an emergency and want to speak to someone before you contact the council then you can phone Shelterline, a free, confidential, national housing advice phoneline, on 0808 800 4444. If you would like to speak to someone about other services for young people in your area you can call Get Connected, a free, confidential, national phoneline for young people, on 0808 808 4994 between 1pm and 11pm daily.
You also can find your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter housing aid centre in the online advice services directory.
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Question answered by Shelter
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