“I want to move out!” How to get help moving out

How to find somewhere to live

Can’t stand living at your parents house another minute? Finding somewhere to live can be pretty stressful. If you’re tearing your hair out and screaming “I want to move out!” The Mix is here to help.

Reasons for leaving home

Whatever your situation at home, ask yourself if it’s truly intolerable. Is it really time to move out? The temptation to walk out can be hard to resist if you’ve just had another row and screamed “I want to move out” at the top of your lungs, but these things happen. Ask yourself, is it something that can be sorted out once tempers have cooled? If so, aim to find yourself some space – even if it means staying with friends or other family members. It has to be better than turning your back on the problem (and creating a whole set of others) by leaving home completely. Remember, staying at home is a great way to save money for the future. With house prices and rent the way they are at the moment, picking the right time to move could save you a lot of cash.

Moving out because or violence or abuse

Of course, in cases of violence, abuse or eviction, getting out in a hurry is important and staying at home may feel unsafe. If so, and you don’t have anywhere safe to go, don’t panic, help moving out is available.

Help moving out

How to find somewhere to live

Chances are you’re feeling vulnerable and confused, but you don’t have to go through this alone. There are a number of local and national agencies that can seek to house you in temporary accommodation, wherever you are in the country, at any time of day or night.

If you’re out on the streets, and don’t know where to start, make Shelter your first port of call. This UK charity is dedicated to providing support and advice on all aspects of housing and homelessness, including help moving out in emergencies.

Know your housing rights

Once you’ve made contact, a professional housing advisor will go through your options, including your rights as a tenant if a landlord has kicked you out. They will have a list of available accommodation in your area and can advise you on what benefit you may be entitled to, including housing benefit (a contribution to the cost of your rent). Find out more about housing benefit here.

A housing advisor can also help determine what responsibility your local council has towards you. If you have absolutely nowhere to go, for example, or you’re pregnant, aged 16/17, or a young person under 21 and you’ve been in care before, or if you have a history of mental health problems, then you may be eligible for emergency housing (a roof over your head while the council look into your situation).

Help with emergency housing

Much depends on your local council’s initial decision regarding emergency housing (in Northern Ireland, these decisions are made by the Housing Executive). If you are granted a place, however, you should be allowed to stay until they’ve made their assessment. You may then be granted temporary, longer-term accommodation, or referred to another council if they can provide more effective help. Should they feel unable to help at all (perhaps if you have deliberately made yourself homeless) be sure to keep in touch with Shelter or your local housing advisor. They’ll make your welfare a priority. In the short term, they can contact night shelters or emergency hostels on your behalf, while helping you with benefit claims to get your house in order.

Need more help moving out? Why not chat about it on our Discussion Boards. You’ll find plenty of people sharing their similar experiences.

Shelter’s advice website for young people offers help with housing problems and a free helpline 0808 800 4444. If you’re in Scotland, use this link instead.

Need help but confused where to go locally? Download our StepFinder iPhone app to find local support services quickly.