Have to move out? If you can avoid it, don't. Young people who stay at home have better educational outcomes, are able to save before setting up their own home and are better are negotiating and getting along with housemates.
But if it can't be avoided, and you really have to go, then do it properly. Plan first, and get the best advice.
Here's how to move out, step by step:
Talk to your parents or another adult you trust. Get advice from people close to your age that have a place of their own. Visit the experts at a housing advice centre.
If you are leaving care, social and health care must give you advice about finding a place to live. They can also provide information and support if you are disabled and want to live independently.
Visit websites like Shelter and the Citizen's Advice Bureau's Adviceguide to find out about housing rights, and to get the most up-to-date advice about looking for somewhere to live.
Find out more: In care, parent trouble
Make two lists: one for all your income and one for all your costs.
Example: Ozzie is 17 years old and single. She works part time at the local newsagents earning the minimum wage of £3.64 per hour and takes home about £130.00 per week. She is looking to get a furnished single room in a shared house in Headington. To move in she’ll need £570 for a month’s deposit and two weeks’ rent in advance. Will she have enough to make it?
| COSTS PER WEEK | |||
| Rent Food Utilities/water Bus pass Clothes Toiletries Cleaning materials Laundrette Entertainment |
£90.00 |
||
| TOTAL | £204.00 | ||
| INCOME PER WEEK | |||
| Wages Housing benefit |
£130.00 £79.59 |
||
| TOTAL | £209.59 | ||
| Only £5.59 left?!? |
The list will help you determine how much rent you can afford to pay or what you’ll need to do without. Ozzie decided to wait until she could increase her wages.
Based on listings in Daily Information, the average cost of a bedsitter in Oxford is about £100 a week. In some cases this includes utilities. You usually need enough money to pay some rent in advance and a deposit.
If you are 16 or 17 you may be entitled to Housing Benefit if you are estranged from your parents. This is most likely if you are on a further education course or a part-time student. You may also qualify if you have dependent children or you are disabled. Get advice from Connexions or a housing advice centre.
If you are 16 or 17 and have been in care, social and health care has to support you financially until you are 18. This includes paying for your accommodation.
Housing Benefit for under 25s renting from a private landlord normally only pays the average cost of a single room in a shared house. You will have to make up the difference from your own money.
However if any of these exceptions apply you may qualify for Discretionary Housing payments:
Note: When rent includes items such as gas and electricity, Housing Benefit normally covers only the rent element of the charge.
More help: Contact one of the organisations in the Housing Contacts
| Bed & Breakfast |
£30 a night on average |
||
| Bedsits | Can be self-contained with mini-kitchens and bathrooms off one or two rooms | ||
| Flat/House shares | Usually a single bedroom with a shared kitchen and bathroom, maybe lounge | ||
| Lodgings | Room in a family home, sometimes with meals | ||
| Flat | Housing Benefit will not usually pay all of the rent if you are under 25 and living on your own. Many landlords won’t accept Housing Benefit |
There are lots of support schemes to help young people find somewhere to live. But many of these are not open to young people aged 16-17, and most will limit your choices of where you can live.
If you are able to wait until you have a steady income, and have saved some money for a deposit and other household expenses, you will have more places to chose from.
Related topics: Housing Rights, Benefits
Get personal recommendation from friends who are renting or ask friends and relatives if they know of anywhere to rent. You can also find listings of available accommodation in:
Accommodation usually goes fast so act quickly. Call first to determine:
If you like what you hear, make an appointment to view the place. Take:
People under 18 can rent a flat and sign a lease. Often landlords will want someone over 18 such as a relative or social worker to guarantee that rent is paid. If damage is caused or rent is not paid the landlord can sue or evict you even if you are under 18.
If there is no written tenancy agreement you may be able to request a 'statement of terms' which the landlord must provide if you request it in writing. This should include basic information such as the length of contract, amount of rent and so on.
A verbal agreement is legally binding but difficult to prove unless there are witnesses.
Proceed with caution!
Related topics: Housing Rights
Need some offline reference? Print out this list of useful housing contacts for young people in Oxfordshire ... Access information, find friends; do you know about your local youth centres and projects?
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