Staying At Home – Unless you are in immediate danger, or being abused, home is the best place for you! All parents row with their teenagers at some point or another, and as a family if you can work through it you will probably all be better for it. You should be staying at home until you are at least 18, maybe longer if you aren’t leaving home to go to university.

Positives: Warm, dry, clean, food, (all supplied free of charge/heavily subsidised)

Negatives: Sticking by parents rules.

Sharing with Others – this is the only other realistic option as a young person who wants to leave home. In a shared house you have your own bedroom, usually with a lock on the door, and then shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Positives: Cheapest option.

Negatives: Don’t know who your sharing with, may be arguments around cleanliness. You will be living in your bedroom. There maybe lots of rules to abide by and you have to be over 18.  

Sofa Surfing -  is when you aren’t staying at home any more, and are sleeping on friends sofas. Usually it’s ok for a week or so then your friend, or friends parents, get sick of it and ask you to move out. If you are in this position you could be classed as homeless, so get to the council as soon as you can to talk to someone from the housing advice team as there maybe help available if you are in this situation.

Positive: Cheap. Warm Dry.

Negatives: No personal space. May get sick of being asked to move on all the time, can put friends in awkward positions.

Supported Accommodation – This is usually supplied by a housing association or charity. In supported accommodation you usually receive accommodation either a flat, or a bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen. You will also have a key worker, who you will meet regularly to discuss your needs, and help you learn the life skills to live independently. This is the accommodation that the government prefers you to be in particular between the ages of 16 and 21.

Positives: Support and help to move forward in life.

Negatives: can be expensive, if you are working or get a job, while staying in support accommodation.

Council Housing – There are over 2000 people on the waiting list for housing in Tamworth, we actually house about 300 people/families a year. So as you can see, the demand very much outweighs the supply. You are unlike to get a council house unless you have a priority need, and you need to be at least 18 years old.  

Positives: Cheaper than private renting.

Negatives: Council housing is only in specific areas. High demand, so less chance actually being housed. Unfurnished and uncarpeted.

Private Rented – In a private rented property you rent the house of someone else, this could be from an individual, an estate agent, or letting agent. Sometimes the houses are un-furnished, or fully furnished depending on your preference. Private houses are usually available in all areas, so there is a lot more choice.

Positive: Lots of different areas to live in, maybe furnished.

Negatives: Expensive. You need to be over 18, and you may need a guarantor if you’re under 25. You will also need a deposit, and maybe a month rent in advance. Will also want to carry out credit checks, to ensure you earn enough money to pay. May not take housing benefit. (where the local council pays the rent on your behalf)

Student Accommodation – if you leave home to go to university, the chances are you will stay in student accommodation. This usually compromises of halls of residence, which may be self contained flats, or your own bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, you may also be able to pay extra for a meal scheme. A meal scheme is where you would pay a sum of money up front, usually per term, and in return you would be able to eat at the campus restaurants once or twice a day for free. (see university website for full details, university meal schemes may differ) 

Positives: Great way to get to know people, close to university amenities.