Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs)

Find out about staying in a B&B if you're homeless.

What they're like

B&Bs offer basic temporary accommodation. Most are run as private businesses and what they offer varies. In a typical B&B you might get a:

• private furnished bedroom

• shared bathroom

• shared kitchen or dining room

Some B&Bs have self contained rooms.

Some provide food like breakfast, but in others you need to cook for yourself.

Some B&Bs only provide rooms for homeless people. Some are also used by people on holiday or longer term residential guests.

When councils use B&Bs

Some councils use B&Bs as emergency housing while they look into your homeless situation.

The council should only place you in a B&B when no other emergency housing is available. It should try and move you to more suitable housing as soon as possible.

You can only be housed in a private B&B with a shared kitchen or bathroom for a maximum of 6 weeks if you're pregnant or have children.

How much they cost

B&B prices vary. You may have to pay up front unless you're placed there by the council.

Sometimes you can claim housing benefit or universal credit to help with the cost.