This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

Need housing now?

If you need a place immediately, the council's housing department may have to house you - you don't have to be sleeping on the street. You should apply as homeless. This is not the same as going on the waiting list.

However, in some circumstances, the housing department will ask social services to take responsibility for housing you. This might be the case if, for example:

• you are under 18, or
• you are pregnant, or
  
• you are disabled, or need support for other reasons.

Use our emergency housing rights checker to find out more about your rights. 

Who gets housed?

If you apply as homeless, the housing department council will make special enquiries to work out what you're entitled to.

Similarly, social services only have to help certain groups of people (including most under 18s, care leavers, disabled people and families with children). 

The law is complicated - use our emergency housing rights checker to check your rights and contact an advice centre if you need help dealing with the council.

Been in care?

If so, the rules are different. You're probably in priority need and therefore entitled to housing if you are 18, 19 or 20. This is also the case if you're over 21 and are vulnerable because of your background.

Under 18?

If you're under 18, social services are nearly always responsible for housing you if you become homeless.

It may be in your best interests to accept help from social services rather than the housing department, especially if you are about to turn 18. If you do so, you may become entitled to ongoing financial help and support until you turn 21, or 24 if you're a full-time student. You would not be entitled to this ongoing help if the housing department provides accommodation for you.

The council won't help me

If the council says you're not entitled to help, you may have other options. It's also worth contacting your local advice centre for a second opinion. They may be able to help you challenge the council's decision.

I need permanent housing

Most people are eligible to apply for a council tenancy. But this doesn't mean that the council has to house you. Many areas have very long waiting lists, and councils have to give priority to certain groups of people.