Losing your Home

• 01. Introduction

• There are laws to help you if you have nowhere to live, whether it's because you're being unfairly evicted by your landlord, or you or your children are not safe where you live. This leaflet covers important questions you may have: Will the council...

• 02. Will the council find me somewhere to live?

• If you are homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days through no fault of your own, the local council may have to offer you somewhere else to stay or to live, temporarily or longer term. The offer of somewhere to live may also apply to someone who...

• 03. Does it matter how I become homeless?

• The way you became homeless will affect how long the council has to help you for. You may be entitled to only very short-term accommodation if the council decides that you are eligible for assistance, in priority need and 'intentionally homeless'. This may...

• 04. What if the council offers me something unsuitable?

• If you meet all the conditions listed in the other sections, the council must give you accommodation straight away. This will be temporary accommodation, and the council will continue to provide it (as long as you pay the rent and keep to the terms of the...

• 05. What can I do if I disagree with the council's decision?

• If you disagree with a council decision (for example, on whether you are intentionally homeless), you can ask the council to review its decision as long as you ask within 21 days of getting this decision in writing. You will need expert advice from a housing...

• 06. Where can I go if I need somewhere to stay urgently?

• If the council can't help you, you can get advice on finding an emergency or short-term place to stay, such as a hostel, women's refuge or bed breakfast hotel, from housing advice organisations, or from a Citizens Advice Bureau (see ' Further Help ' for...

• 07. What if my landlord wants to evict me?

• In most cases landlords have to follow a special legal procedure if they want you to leave - they can't just change the locks when you are out. This is true whether you rent from the council, a housing association, or a private landlord. It is usually...

• 08. What can I do if my landlord is harassing me?

• If you are being harassed, or if you are facing illegal eviction by a private landlord, contact the person at your local council who deals with harassment and illegal evictions (sometimes called the tenancy relations officer). Look in your phone book for...

• 09. Further help

• Shelter 24 hour advice and information line covering the whole of the UK phone: 0808 800 4444 The Shelternet website (advice and information - England only) Shelter also has a network of local Housing Aid Centres...