Relationship breakdown

This content applies to England only.

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

This section is designed to help you work out what rights you have to your home if you split up with your partner, and provides information about welfare benefits and the rights of couples with dependent children.

Use our relationship breakdown checker to see what your rights might be.

Violence or abusive behaviour

If you are at risk of domestic abuse it is important to get advice as soon as possible. If you are unsafe you should leave the property. Refuges are available for women fleeing from domestic violence. Unfortunately there are not many refuges for men. You should also consider speaking to the police, especially if you need to get the perpetrator out.

Divorce or financial issues

Our content doesn't cover divorce proceedings or financial settlements. for further information, visit Money Advice Service: divorce and separation, and Relate for impartial help with the financial and other issues you may face during this difficult time, as well as an overview of the legal processes involved.

If you are unsure about anything, use our Advice Services Directory to find a local advice centre which can advise you on your housing rights. Alternatively, use the Legal Adviser Finder to find a local solicitor specialising in family law.

Short-term issues

When you first split up with someone, you will have to decide if you want to stay in the home or find somewhere else. Your options depend on whether you have anywhere else to stay, your rights to the home, and your financial situation.

Rights to return to the home

If you want to stay in or return to the home, you should think about protecting any interests you might have in it. What you can do depends on what rights you have to the home.

Occupation orders

This page is a guide to how the courts might be able to decide what happens to the home in the short-term. The orders it can make will depend on your rights and individual circumstances.

Options for homeowners

These pages explain the long-term solutions available when one or both partners own the home. The options you have when you're splitting up with a partner will be based on the rights you both have to your home, and other issues such as finances and whether you have children.