The abuser’s behaviour may have made your housing situation unstable. For example, the abuser may have interfered with rental, mortgage or utility payments, or may have caused damage to a rented property.
The abuser’s behaviour may mean that you have no choice but to leave your home because it is no longer safe. This page outlines some options that may be available to you. If you choose to stay in your own home, we also have information on how to do so safely.
On this page
You can get advice online from Shelter, from a local Shelter advice service or your local Citizens Advice.
If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, are at risk of harm or losing your home within the next two months, call the Shelter Helpline on 0808 800 4444 for advice and information on your options.
Support services may provide information on some of the following options for immediate, short-term accommodation where you will be safe:
Do you have friends or family who you could stay with temporarily? Think about whether it is safe for you to stay with them, and whether you will need to make a financial contribution.
Refuges provide accommodation for people at risk of harm who need to leave their home immediately, often on a short-term basis. Refuge accommodation is usually provided in a different area from where you have been living with the abuser. Facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms are often shared.
Any woman over the age of 16 who is fleeing domestic abuse can go to a refuge, however there can be some restrictions. For example, you may not be able to take pets, and the upper age limit of male children allowed can vary between refuges. The facilities to cater for disabilities and other support needs will also vary between refuges.
The refuge will be able to provide you and your children with a package of support and a dedicated key worker. When it is time to leave, they will be able to help you to find suitable accommodation elsewhere.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can provide you with information if you need to find emergency accommodation in a refuge.
You have to pay for refuge accommodation. If you are eligible for Housing Benefit, this will cover the cost. You can find out more about Housing Benefits here.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for immediate, temporary accommodation provided by the council. They will assess whether you meet the following criteria:
You can apply to any local council if staying in your current area would put you at risk of further harm. Usually, you will also need to have a connection to the local area. You will not be required to meet this condition if you are fleeing abuse.
If you meet these criteria, the council will have a duty to find accommodation for you and your children.
You can get this accommodation by making a ‘homelessness application’ in the housing department. If you need support after 5pm, the council’s out-of-hours service can find you somewhere to stay for the night, such as a hotel. You can then make a homelessness application the next day.
Accommodation that allows you to leave your home immediately to reach safety is likely to only be available on a short-term basis. You may need to consider where you will live more permanently.
If you met the local council’s criteria for emergency short-term accommodation, ask if they can help you find somewhere to live longer-term. This could be a council-owned or housing association property, or they could support you to find private rented accommodation.
You do not have to apply for long-term accommodation with your local council if staying in your current area would put you at risk of further harm. You have the right to apply to any council in the country.
Advicenow has a detailed guide of what local councils must do to help people with no place to live.
Housing associations also provide affordable accommodation. The local council will be able to provide you with a list of local housing associations that may have accommodation available. If you apply for accommodation through your local council, sometimes they will refer you to a housing association.
If you are not eligible for housing through your local council due to your immigration status you can still apply for a housing association property. You will need to approach each housing association separately.
You may prefer to consider private rented accommodation as an alternative if you are looking for a new home. Private landlords usually ask for a deposit and at least one month’s rent in advance. Financial support may be available to help with these costs, such as a Discretionary Housing Payment. We have more information about financial support for housing here.
Your local council may have a private rented assistance scheme. These schemes support people on a low income to find good quality, privately rented accommodation.
Private landlords will also usually ask for a reference from new tenants. You may have concerns about this if:
A domestic abuse support worker may be able to support you to speak to a new landlord to explain the situation. Offering to pay rent in advance or provide a guarantor may help if the landlord has concerns.
A domestic abuse support worker may also be able to help you access flexible funds to go towards private rented accommodation costs.
Getting accommodation in a refuge or from the local council may depend on your immigration status. There are some spaces available for women who have ‘no recourse’ to public funds. You can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline to talk through your options.
We have a resource with information on support available if you have no recourse to public funds.
Last updated September 2024
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