How Shelter can help

This content applies to England only.

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

Shelter can give you legal advice about your housing rights. Our advisers may be able to help you keep your home or, if you are homeless, we can explain your options and ensure you get the help you are entitled to.

What services does Shelter provide?

Many people think that Shelter provides housing for homeless people. This is not the case, but we may be able to arrange emergency housing for you as our local offices have close links with accommodation providers.

Our advisers can also help if you have a legal problem. We may be able to stop an eviction or represent you in court. You don't have to be sleeping on the streets to use our services, which are free and confidential.

Other agencies in your area may also provide advice and help with about housing problems and related issues. Use the Advice Services Directory to find details of your nearest Shelter advice centre, Citizens Advice or other advice agency in your area.

Can an adviser help me keep my home?

You should always get advice if you have been asked to leave your home. An adviser can check whether you have a legal right to stay. You don't necessarily have to leave just because you've been told to.

Landlords and mortgage lenders have to follow the correct procedure if they want to evict you. In most cases you are entitled to written notice and a court order. Even if you have already left, you may be able to move back in. You have fewer rights if you share with your landlord. S/he should still give you some notice but there is no legal definition of what is reasonable, so it could be a very short time.

If you had to leave home because of family problems, you should get advice immediately. You may be able to get counselling or mediation services to help you sort things out. If you have been asked to leave by your wife, husband or partner you may have the right to stay. This could be the case even if s/he is the legal owner or tenant of your home, but the law in this area is very complicated and you will need help.

Can I get help from the council?

The housing department of your local council has to help you if you are homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days. At the very least, it has to give you advice and some people are entitled to accommodation. If the housing department won't house you, you may be able to get help from social services. There are special rules about who is entitled to housing and which department should provide it. Use our emergency housing rights checker to find out more about your rights.

In most areas, there isn't much housing available. So if the council offers you accommodation it is likely to be a place in a hostel or a bed and breakfast hotel. In less popular areas, you may be offered a house or a flat but this is unusual.

People from abroad

Most asylum seekers and some other people from abroad can't get housing from the council but may be able to get help from the Home Office instead. Contact the Refugee Council or an immigration adviser before you ask for help. The Refugee Council website has information in 12 different languages.

What other emergency options are there?

If the council won't help you, there are various types of accommodation you might be able to use in an emergency. Staying with friends or family is probably the easiest and least stressful option but it may only be possible to stay for a couple of nights. Look into your other options, including:

Alternatively, you may be able to find a place through a lodgings scheme or a place in a squat. An adviser can also explain how each of these options will affect your rights.

Am I entitled to any financial help?

You have to pay rent for most types of emergency housing. You may be able to claim housing benefit to help pay for this if you are on benefits or have a low income. You may also be able to get help with a deposit and/or rent in advance.

It's also worth checking out the Department for Work and Pensions guide to services and benefits to find out what else you might be eligible for. If you don't have any money to pay for accommodation, get advice immediately.