Leaving home voluntarily

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Leaving home can give you more freedom, independence and space but it's not guaranteed to be a positive experience. It isn't always easy to find a suitable place and living on your own can be expensive. Preparing properly makes leaving home easier and can help you to avoid becoming homeless.

Contact Childline on 0800 1111 if you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home. Childline is open 24 hours a day. Childline advisers can help with lots of different problems - not just housing.

Find out your rights and options before leaving

If you are planning to leave home you should get advice as soon as possible. You can get advice from the Housing Executive or an advice agency. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and assistance to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.

An adviser can look at your personal circumstances and discuss your options with you. Whatever you say to an adviser is usually just between you and the adviser. They won't contact anyone else about your situation unless you agree to it or you're in danger.

If you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home, your rights are different. Telephone Childline on 0800 1111 if you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home. Childline is open 24 hours a day. Childline advisers can help with lots of different problems - not just housing.

You can also telephone the Children's Law Centre on 0808 808 5679. The Children's Law Centre can give you advice on your rights in Northern Ireland.

Talk it over with your family and friends

If you're 18 or over you don't need permission to leave home. However, you should talk about your plans with your parents or carers. If you're 16 or 17, you normally need permission to leave but you can't be forced to go back home, especially if you're in danger there. If you're having problems with your parents or carers, mediation or counselling might be able to help you stay at home.

If you're experiencing violence or abuse at home you may need to leave immediately. You should get advice as soon as possible, before you leave home if possible. An adviser may be able to help you arrange emergency accommodation.

Find permanent accommodation before moving out

If you can safely stay in your home, you should try to find somewhere to live permanently before you move out. If you don't prepare properly you could find yourself with nowhere to stay, no money and few housing options.

Work out how you'll pay for your accommodation

Your options will depend on your income. You should work out how much it will cost to get your own place, and how you will pay for it. If you're unemployed or on a low income, you should be able to claim benefits to help you with housing and living costs.

Important points to remember about benefits:

you can't claim benefits until you're 16 years of age,
if you're under 18 you receive less money,
young people under 25 get reduced housing benefit and most full-time students can't claim housing benefit at all.

If you are planning to get your own place you should note all the costs involved:

if you rent from a private landlord you will probably have to pay a month's rent in advance and a deposit before you move in. There are schemes to help you with these costs.
you will have to pay for heating, electricity and phone.
you will need money for food, clothing and travel expenses.
you may need furniture and other household items.

You could run into financial difficulties if you move into somewhere you can't really afford. If you don't pay your rent, you could get into debt and be evicted. If you are renting privately a 'pre-tenancy determination' will tell you how much housing benefit you will get for your accommodation.

Get your belongings together

If you have to leave home in an emergency, take some essential items with you:

warm clothes, especially a warm coat,
toiletries such as soap and a toothbrush,
any money or savings,
any medication you take regularly,
important personal documents like birth certificate, passport, national insurance number or other identification,
contact telephone numbers for family and friends.

You may also need your own bedding, pots and pans, and even furniture when you find a place to live. Your friends and family may be able to lend you some things, but you will probably have to buy some items yourself. Check local second hand shops for bargains.

You may be able to get a crisis loan to help you pay for essential items.

What happens if I become homeless?

Even if you prepare properly you may still become homeless after you leave home. If you do become homeless get advice as soon as possible. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and assistance to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.The Housing Executive or an advice agency will be able to check what help you may be entitled to and could help you get emergency accommodation while you look for permanent accommodation. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to: