Q2A

Got a quick question ......

I am 17, and would like to move out but not by choice though.

This is our reply.......

There are several ways you can do this, depending on your circumstances. Here are some examples.

If you're in a violent relationship, or you're experiencing violence from your family or carers, you can contact any of the following organisations:

# Childline, 0800 11 11, open 24 hours

# if you are female you can contact Women's Aid on their 24 hour freephone helpline: 0808 2000 247. Women's Aid can arrange safe emergency accommodation for you

# the Children's Services department of your local council

If you're in local authority care (often called being 'looked after') and you are being subjected to abuse (emotional, physical or sexual) from staff or other residents you can contact Childline as above, tell your Social Worker, or any other adult you trust. If there is no abuse but you feel that you are being treated unfairly you can use your local authority's
complaints procedure to try to sort this out

If you aren't in either of the situations outlined above but you still feel unable to stay where you are, it may be difficult to find somewhere else to live because landlords are reluctant to rent properties to people of your age. Eighteen is the age at which you can legally rent a property however you can try to find a landlord who would be prepared to rent a property to you but you may need an adult to guarantee the tenancy. You can look for private rented property in the 'property to let' adverts in your local newspaper, in estate agents, and on line. Once you are 18 you can apply to your local council for social rented property. You may not get a property straightaway because these organisations give
priority to people who are in the most need.

A further difficulty will be paying for a rented property unless you are working and don't have to rely on housing benefit. Unless you fall into one of the special groups the amount of benefit you get will be limited to what it costs to rent a single room in your area: this is called the shared accommodation rate. Some examples of the special groups are

# you are a parent, or responsible for a child

# you have a serious disability and are receiving either the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance

# you have been in care. The shared accommodation rate will not apply until your 22nd birthday

# you are living with someone as a couple

The amount of housing benefit you get will also be further limited to the cost of the average rents of the cheapest 30% of properties in the area where you want to live. You will also probably have to pay a security deposit, and also pay the first month's rent in advance. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get a Crisis Loan or a Budgeting
Loan to pay the first month's rent in advance, but you'll have to find the money for the security deposit.

If your circumstances are such that you are able to rent a property from your local council or a local housing association the shared accommodation rate of housing benefit and the cheapest 30% limit will not apply: the amount of housing benefit you get will pay all your rent. Also, you won't have to pay the first month's rent in advanced or pay a security
deposit.

You can get more information about any of the issues we've talked about above from:

# http://www.womensaid.org.uk

# http://www.childline.org.uk

# http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice

# your local council's housing department

# your local council's benefits department

# http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits

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