Housing advice for young people

Thinking of leaving home?

It's important to plan your move very carefully before you decide to go. If you just get up and leave without any thought for where to go, you may find yourself out on the street.

Advantages

• You’ll be more independent
• You can do almost anything you want (within the law!)
• You’ll make new friends and meet new people
• You will be able to learn new skills
• You’ll have more freedom.

Disadvantages

• You’ll have to pay the rent, bills and buy your own food
• You’ll have to spend a lot of your money on furniture
• You’ll have less money to spend on going out and doing fun things
• You’ll have to do your own shopping
• You’ll have to clean up and do all the house work
• You’ll sometimes get lonely and scared
• You'll have to repair things when they get broken or pay someone to do it.

The cost of living in your own place

The world runs on money - and to get by living on your own you are going to need it.

Money will seem to be flying away because you have to think about rent, bills and food. How will you get to and from work or college?

By the time you have paid for a month living alone you will have hardly any money left for going out or spending on treats.

A typical weekly budget

(This does not include all your likely expenses)

• Rent £75
• Food/Household items £30
• Council Tax £17
• Gas £10
• Electricity £10
• Water £5
• Clothing £10
• TV Licence £5
• Insurance £1.50

That adds up to £163.50

Extras

• Entertainment £15
• Telephone £10
• Travel £10
• Total £35

That's a total of £198.50. Can you earn that much?

Once you've found a place to live

You'll need to buy some essental items - including:

• A bed
• Appliances - such as a cooker and a fridge
• Sofa and chairs wardrobe and drawers
• Cooking utensils, bedding and towels.

Before you make the decision to leave home - get advice. Our Housing Choices team can help - get in touch to make an appointment.

Mediation

If you experiencing constant arguments with your family or the people you live with, if you're at the end of your tether or you have been asked to leave - then you could try mediation to resolve your problems.  Find out more about our mediation service.