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Homelessness
There are laws to help you, whether you're being unfairly evicted by your landlord, or you or your children are not safe where you live. Find out how you can get help and support if you are homeless or face the prospect of losing your home.
Reasons for being homeless
Being homeless doesn't just mean living on the streets. You are also legally considered homeless, and are entitled to get help to find somewhere to live (or to stay in your home) for a range of reasons, including:
- if you have somewhere to live, but you can't stay there because you are worried about your personal safety because of the threat of violence, abuse or harassment; the threat doesn't have to be from someone living at your home, it can include a neighbour or ex-partner
- if you have somewhere to live, but you can't stay because your home is in very poor condition and a threat to health
- if you have nowhere that you can live together with your family
- if you have been locked out of your home and you are not allowed back
Being evicted by your landlord
If you are facing homelessness because your landlord wants you to leave your house or flat and you do not wish to leave, your landlord must obtain a possession order from a court. The law protects you against harassment and illegal eviction.
Tied accommodation
If your home is provided as part of your job, this is known as tied accommodation. If you could become homeless because your employment is about to end, you can get advice from housing advice organisations. You could also contact your local council, as there may be specific things you need to do to show that you will be homeless, such as providing proof of this from your employer.
Find out about help from your local council
If you are homeless or likely to become homeless through no fault of your own, the local council may have to offer you somewhere else to stay or to live. This will depend on your circumstances.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Get help and advice
Acting quickly is important if you are homeless or facing homelessness. The sooner you get help, the more likely you will be able to sort out your debts, find somewhere suitable to live, or prevent a landlord evicting you.
Local councils must ensure that advice about homelessness is available to everyone free of charge.
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