|
Leaving home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be stressful and difficult. Being well prepared can help you avoid ending up in unsuitable accommodation or, worse, finding yourself with nowhere to live at all.
Getting ready to leave
Leaving home is a massive step to take, and the key to avoiding problems further down the line is preparation. Don't feel you have to move before you're ready, unless you feel unsafe at home.
Remember to consider all the down sides of having your own place as well as all the good things. If you know anyone that has recently left home, talk to them about their experiences.
Back to top
Budgeting
Before you leave home, it's important to work out a budget to make sure you'll be able to afford all the new things you'll have to pay for.
When you draw up a budget, you add up all your outgoings and all your income, then subtract the outgoings from the income and hope that there's something left over!
Back to top
Running away
You may feel that running away from home is the only solution to your problems. Perhaps you don't get on with your family, or you feel unsafe at home. Perhaps you are having problems outside the home, such as bullying.
No matter why you want to leave, getting help while you're still at home is usually a better option than running away.
Back to top
Dealing with the Housing Executive
If you have nowhere to live, you can make a homeless application to the Housing Executive. You don't have to be sleeping on the street, you can be staying with friends or family or living in a hostel or B&B.
Back to top
Your housing options
If you need to move out in a hurry, or you want to leave the family home but aren't yet ready for the responsibility of a place of your own, there are several short term and longer term housing options available.
|
Housing Associations (
