Whether you live at home with your family, in a bedsit or a shared flat, in someone’s place as a lodger, in a hostel, you should know your legal rights.

These will depend on what type of home you live in and on any written agreement you may have signed when you moved in.

If you keep getting into arguments at home, try talking it over with another adult you know, for instance a teacher or a youth worker. It may be that counselling will help you.

It’s usually best to make things up with your family if you can, but if you are getting hurt or seriously threatened at home, you do need to get help. Again, ask your teacher or youth worker.

If you are at serious risk and over 16, you may be able to go into temporary housing. If you are at serious risk and under 16, you may be able to get help from social services.

If you rent a bedsit or flat from a private landlord, they usually have to give you proper legal notice and get a court order before they can make you leave. If your tenancy was for six months or a year you can’t usually be made to leave before it ends.

If you are a lodger in someone else’s place they can get you out more easily and don’t have to go to court.

If you live in a hostel you were probably asked to sign an agreement setting out the rules and your rights. If you break the rules you could be asked to leave.

If you have no roof over your head whatsoever, you may, depending on your personal circumstances, qualify for emergency temporary accommodation.

If you’re not sure about your rights, get advice.

Contact

Housing Operations

Telephone: (01902) 696507 / 696509

Email: homes@sstaffs.gov.uk

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