Leaving home as a young person

When to leave home is a major decision which should not be taken lightly. Although leaving home will grant you more freedom, it also means you will have responsibilities that you have probably not had to deal with before.

The best way to leave home is after careful thought and planning. Leaving your parental home at a very young age, especially if you have nowhere to go, should be the very last option that you should consider. You could easily end up homeless.

You won't be entitled to a council home and you may have to find a deposit and rent in advance for a home in the private sector.

If you're under 25 and unemployed or on low wages, you won't get housing benefit for more than one room in a shared house.

If you're a full time student, you may not be entitled to any benefits at all.

For more help and advice, ring the Housing Options Advice Line on 020 7525 5950.