Family or friends have asked you to leave

What to do right now

This is the best time to act. A conversation now is much easier than a crisis later.

Try to have a calm, honest chat about what is worrying them. Even agreeing a few more weeks gives you real options.

Think about whether any other family members could offer you a room while things settle down.

If direct conversations feel too difficult, mediation can help. A trained, independent person helps both sides talk things through without taking sides.

If you are thinking about moving, there are a few things to consider:

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use these websites to search for suitable rental properties. You can use filters such as location, number of bedrooms and pets depending on your needs:

• SpareRoom, Zoopla and Rightmove specialise in house shares and lodging for singles and couples 
• OpenRent lists private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
• Shelter has an online tool that can walk you through your options step by step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you’ve researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it’s essential you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

These tools can help:

• MoneyHelper is a free, confidential, government-backed service to help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills
• Check your Local Housing Allowance rate by postcode to understand the maximum amount benefits will cover toward your rent

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Wandsworth offers free, confidential guidance.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check if you are getting all the financial support you are entitled to. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

• entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim (takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous) 
• Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back

For free help with debts:

• Money Advice Service: 0300 500 5000 
• Citizens Advice (CA): 020 8712 7800 
• National Debtline: 0800 808 4000 
• Step Change: 0800 138 1111
• Debt Advice Foundation: 0800 043 40 50

Help with paying a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

What to do right now

This is the best time to act. A conversation now is much easier than a crisis later.

Try to have a calm and honest chat about what is worrying the people you are living with. Even agreeing to live there for a few more weeks creates options for you.

Think about whether any other family members could offer you a room while things settle down.

If direct conversations feel too difficult, mediation can help. A trained, independent person helps both sides talk things through without taking sides.

If you are thinking about moving, there are a few things to consider.

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use one or more of these websites to search for suitable rental properties. Use filters such as location, pets and Universal Credit landlords depending on your needs:

• OpenRent: Private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
• dssmove: Properties from landlords who are open to accepting benefits
• Shelter: An online tool that can walk you through your options step-by-step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you have researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it's essential that you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

The following free tools can help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills. You do not need to be a customer of any of these banks to use the tools:

• Lloyds Bank Academy: Free online lessons to help you build money skills and digital confidence
• NatWest Financial Foundations: Impartial workshops and digital tools to help you understand budgeting, spending, and saving
• Barclays LifeSkills: Free tools and modules for young people (ages 7 to 25), families, and independent learners
• HSBC Financial Fitness: Free online webinars and the option to speak to a financial fitness trainer
• MoneyHelper: A free, government-backed service with guides, tools and calculators

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Richmond offers free, confidential guidance.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check whether you are getting all the financial support you are entitled to by using one or more of the websites below. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

• entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim. The calculator takes about 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous
• Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back
• StepChange: If debts are eating into what you have left, StepChange offers free, confidential debt advice

If you are not currently working, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit. You will need a fixed address to apply, so it is important to act before you leave.

Help with paying for a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

Get in touch

Request a callback from our Housing team. We will contact you as soon as possible.

You can also call us: 020 8891 7409

We can talk things through with you and explain your options, but the steps you take yourself are just as important.

How we can help

You do not need to be on the streets before asking for help. Contact us today.

Under these circumstances we have a legal duty to:

• Listen to your situation
• Assess your needs if you may be homeless
• Give you tailored advice and support
• Work with you on a Personal Housing Plan, which will include a list of actions to help you find somewhere to stay

Temporary accommodation

Whether we can offer temporary accommodation depends on your individual circumstances, including whether you have a priority need.

If you do not have a priority need, we cannot place you in temporary accommodation, but we can still help you find somewhere safe to stay. 

Other options to try tonight

• Speak to family or friends about staying temporarily
• Streetlink can help connect people sleeping rough with local support
• Some hostels accept self-referrals. Check Homeless England | Homeless Link

Get in touch

Request a callback from our Housing team. We will contact you as soon as possible.

You can also call us: 020 8891 7409

After we speak to you, we might ask you to attend an appointment. Find out more about the homelessness application process.