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Housing – Leaving Home

And for those who feel they have little choice but to leave home, it can be a difficult and challenging time. Whether you feel you need to leave home of are just considering leaving home, it’s important to get the right information, to think carefully about your options and, if you have the time, make yourself a plan. For most people, there are advantages and disadvantages to leaving home.

The advantages

• you’ll have more independence – you can do what you want when you want (within reason!)


• you can make your new living space suit your tastes.


• you get to learn first hand about personal responsibility and standing on your own two feet.


• if there are problems at home, you can put space and time between your life and those problems.


• it becomes easier to live the life you want to lead.


• not so many people battling over the tv remote control!

The disadvantages

• you’ll have bills to pay, e.g. rent, gas and electric, water rates, council tax, telephone and internet.


• less money to spend on doing the things you like (money going on bills and basics like food instead).


• you have to take care of the upkeep of your house – cleaning, vaccuming, etc


• you’ll need to cook for yourself and do your own shopping.


• many people feel homesick and some feel lonely when they move away from home.

I have or am leaving home – what are my options?

• Private rented accommodation on your own – there are lots of flats and apartments available for people looking to rent a place and live on their own. You can find places advertised in local newspapers, websites, local property management companies and estate agencies. Prices of rented accommodation vary considerably – depending on the size and quality of the accommodation as well as the location.


• Private rented accommodation shared with friends – many people chose to rent their first place away from home with friends. There are many houses, flats and apartments. Again, you can look for places to rent in local newspapers, local property management companies and estate agencies and rent can vary from property to property.


• Other private accommodation options include staying in a hostel or at a B&B, though that can be costly and is usually only a short term option.


• Social housing (housing provided by councils, social land lords and housing associations) is also available though there can be waiting lists and you would need to meet the council’s criteria to be eligible. People in certain circumstances are prioritised. If you think you might qualify, contact your local council, Citizen’s Advice Bureaux or a local housing association.

Housing Benefit
You can can claim Housing Benefit to help pay for your rent if your income and savings are below a certain level. Please visit the Frank and Honest benefits page for more information.

Housing for students
See Frank and Honest’s ‘Housing for Students’ pages.

Top tips for renting!
See Frank and Honest’s ‘Top tips for renting’ page for some sound advice.

Links & Contact Details

Name: Shelter
Web: www.sheltercymru.org.uk
Email:info@shelter.org.uk
Tel: 0845 075 5005
Info: They provide advice, information and support to people dealing with housing problems.

Name: Childline
Web: www.childline.org.uk/
Email:
Email:
Tel: 0800 1111
Info: Offers confidential support and advice to children and young people in trouble or in danger. Their lines can be very busy – don’t give up trying to get through to them if you don’t succeed the first time. You can also contact them via their website.

Name: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
Web: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Email:
Tel: 0808 800 5000
Info: The UK’s largest charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. They can offer support and advice.

Name: Newport City Council – Housing Services
Web: www.newport.gov.uk
Email: info@newport.gov.uk
Tel: 01633 656656
Info:

Name: Blaenau Gwent – Housing Services
Web: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/housing.asp
Email: info@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Tel: 01495 350555
Info:

Name: Cardiff Council – Housing Services
Web: www.cardiff.gov.uk (Click on ‘Living’, then ‘Housing’)
Email: c2c@cardiff.gov.uk
Tel: 029 2087 3565
Info:

Name: Caerphilly – Housing Services
Web: www.caerphilly.gov.uk (Click on ‘Housing’)
Email: info@caerphilly.gov.uk
Tel: 01443 815588
Info:

Name: Torfaen – Housing Services
Web: www.torfaen.gov.uk/Housing/
Email:
Tel: 01495 762200
Info:

Name: Merthyr Tydfil – Housing Services
Web: www.merthyr.gov.uk (Click on ‘Housing Services’)
Email: housing@merthyr.gov.uk
Tel: 01685 725000
Info:

Name: Rhondda Cynon Taff – Housing Services
Web: www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk (Click on ‘Housing’)
Email:
Tel: 0800 0286355
Info:

Name: Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB)
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Email: Find local CAB contact details on website
Tel: Find local CAB contact details on website
Info: Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations around the UK. Advice available on a wide range of issues, including: housing, debt, benefits, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems.

Name: Huggard (formerly C.A.S.H Cardiff Action for Single Homeless)
Web: www.c-a-s-h.org.uk
Email: cash@c-a-s-h.org.uk
Tel: 029 2034 9980
Info: Services and support for homeless people in Cardiff.

Name: Solas Cymru
Web: www.solas-cymru.co.uk
Email: admin@solas-cymru.co.uk
Tel: 01633 664045
Info: Services and support for homeless people in Newport.

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