If you have been asked to leave by family or friends

How we can help

Mediation

The mediation service can provide help from a neutral position to resolve disagreements. 

In most cases these disagreements can be resolved by talking through the issue with a neutral person. It is rarely going to be the best outcome for you to become homeless.

If you are single, in good health and with no other vulnerabilities, it is unlikely that we will help you with housing if you are asked to leave your home. Often, when family and friends are advised of this possibility they will consider letting you stay or return, rather than see you struggle as homeless.

But, if you are going to become homeless, it will be easier if you have some time to plan how and when you leave. You may also find our guidance on finding a home and housing options useful.

Contact the mediation service: office@croydonmediation.org.uk. 

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Rent privately

If your friends or family are no longer able to provide a home for you, you will likely need to find a property to rent privately.

Read the how to rent guide for renting in England. 

Relationship breakdowns

If you have experienced relationship breakdown, your partner might ask you to leave the home. You have the right to remain in the home if you are:

• a tenant
• married or the civil partner of the tenant

If you make a homelessness and housing advice application following a relationship breakdown, we will check that you are legally homeless and therefore entitled to help.

We will assess what rights you have to stay in your home even after a break-up. This will include checking if:

• you have a right to live somewhere
• it’s safe and reasonable for you (and any children you have) to live there

You may not be homeless if you:

• are a joint or sole tenant of your home
• own your home solely or jointly
• have the legal right to remain living in your home because of home rights – which includes if you were married

If you submit a homelessness and housing advice application, we will be able to provide you with the following support:

• realistic, up-to-date and in-depth advice on how to find your own accommodation and how to pay for it
• a full housing option service covering private renting options and affordable ownership
• help to find a home
• options to consider If your accommodation is overcrowded
• information on emergency accommodation that may be available for single people
• personalised referrals to other agencies if we cannot help you
• apply for council and social housing

If you are under 18 

If you are under 16 and cannot live at home, please contact Childline.

If you are 16 or 17 years old and are being asked to leave the home of family or friends, we will assess your needs jointly with children’s services.

Use the housing advice and homelessness application to inform us you are under 18 and homeless. If you already have a social worker, get in touch with them.

We will:

• refer you to social services
• provide emergency housing if required
• assess your situation and draw up a personalised housing plan

Make a homeless and housing advice application 

See the homelessness and housing advice application step-by-step process.