HOUSING

Q1 I need to leave home urgently. Will I get
housing from the council?

A1 The council does have a duty to provide
accommodation for a young person who meets
the homelessness provision of the Housing
Act. The council has a responsibility to
accommodate a young person under the Child
Protection Act if: -

- No one has parental responsibility for
you, or

- The person caring for you is unable to
continue to provide suitable care or
accommodation, or,

- You are 16 or 17 and the Council thinks
your welfare would be seriously
prejudiced if it does not provide
accommodation.

You should talk to an advice agency about your situation as soon as possible.


Q2 I want to rent a flat but I am only 17. Can
I do this?

A2 There are no legal restrictions on a person
under 18 renting accommodation. However,
landlords, including the local authority, may
require a guarantor before giving a tenancy
to someone under 18. There may also be
restrictions on the amount of housing
benefits that you can claim. Housing benefit
for a single person aged under 25 with no
children may be restricted to what is called
the local ‘single room rent’.