Where the value of a property is less than the outstanding mortgage owed on it. For example, if your outstanding mortgage is £75,000 but your home is only worth £65,000 you will have negative equity of £10,000.

• See Negative equity

Very basic emergency accommodation, which often consists of a bed in a dormitory or a room shared with other people and is usually only available during the night.

• See Hostels and nightshelters

A lodgings scheme available for 16- to 25- year-olds who are homeless or likely to be made homeless. A bed is provided in a private room, one night at a time. An evening meal, breakfast, bath or showers are usually also provided. The volunteers who provide the accommodation are called hosts.

• See Nightstop schemes

A non-dependant is someone who lives with you as part of your household but is not your husband, wife, civil partner or partner (including same sex partners), who is over the age of 18 and who you do not claim child benefit for.

If you claim housing benefit, the council will assume that most non-dependants can make a contribution to your rent when it works out how much help you are entitled to. The amount of money taken off your benefit will depend on their age and income.

• See Housing benefit calculations

A written notice used to end a tenancy, which can be served by the tenant or the landlord. There are rules about how and when a notice to quit can be served, which depend on the type of tenancy you have and what your agreement says.

• See Eviction
• See Ending a tenancy or licence

A statement sent to you by your mortgage lender to let you know that you have fallen behind with the payments on your loan.

• See Preventing court action

A legal document that a landlord can use to start the process of ending a tenancy. There are rules about how and when a notice seeking possession can be served, which depend on the type of tenancy you have.

• See Eviction
  

Things such as dust, smoke, pests and smells from outside a property that make living in it uncomfortable or spoil its enjoyment (see also statutory nuisance).

• See Nuisance