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Securing your home and your belongings while you are in prison can be difficult, especially if your home is empty or you lose it while in custody.
If your home will be empty while you are away, you need to think about ways to keep it safe.
Belongings in social tenancies
If your home is owned by the Housing Executive or a housing association, you may have a few options available. You can ask your landlord to:
- board up your home (you may be asked to contribute towards the costs of this);
- allow a care-taker occupier to live in your home.
Keep in mind that a care-taker occupier will need to pay the rent in your place, as well as look after the property.
If your landlord does not agree to care-taker occupancy, you may still ask a trusted friend or a relative to keep an eye on your home from time to time, but if they move in, it will affect your housing benefit entitlement.
If you are not returning to your Housing Executive or housing association house, your landlord may have discretion to store your belongings. This will, however, be only short-term and you will quickly need to make alternative arrangements. Back to top
Belongings in private tenancies
If you are continuing your tenancy, you may be able to have someone visit the property from time to time to make sure your belongings are safe. If you decide to do this, remember to inform the landlord, as he/she will want to know if someone other than the tenant is visiting the property.
If you give up your tenancy when you go into prison, you will need to arrange storage of your belongings elsewhere. Commercial storage companies are usually expensive, so you may need to consider leaving your belongings with a family member or a friend while you are absent. Back to top
Belongings of owner-occupiers
If your home is repossessed while you’re in prison, you need to contact your lender to find out what they plan to do with your belongings.
In these circumstances, try to get friends and family on the outside to look after and store your belongings.
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