You have made the decision to leave home

Step by step guide to planning to leave home
1. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of leaving home.
2. Find out how much accommodation costs to rent or buy in the area you want to live in, and whether you need a deposit
3. Work out whether you can afford it. Think about how you will move your things to your new place, how much deposit and rent in advance you’ll need and how much food and bills will cost.
4. Think about how you will feel when you leave home
5. Make sure you take some form of identification with you. It will be useful, and is some cases essential. Identification means your birth certificate, a full driving licence, your passport or your national insurance card.
6. Discuss all of the above with a friend, an advice agency, your family, your social worker or someone you trust.
7. Moving out of home can be complicated and you may need to do things that you have never done in the past. If you’re leaving home for the first time, it’s a good idea to find out what’s available in your area and arrange a permanent place to live before you move out. You need to think carefully about the sort of place you’d like to live in, what you realistically can afford and how you will pay your rent and bills. It’s always worth getting some advice before you actually leave home, so that you have the best possible chance of finding the sort of place you want.

Things to bear in mind
Take a friend with you when viewing a new property
> Is there public transport nearby – especially at night?
> Is your home close to a bus stop?
> Is it important friends or/and family live nearby?
> Check to see if you can afford the rent
> Does the rent include heating costs?
> Does it matter that you feel safe in the area at night?
> Is there a launderette nearby?
> Does the landlord allow you to keep pets?
> Who is responsible for repairs when things go wrong?
> Would you bother insuring the contents of your home?
> Would you check that you need a deposit and rent in advance?

Remember – if you do move out and you get into difficulties there are agencies that can help you with free, confidential advice.

Click on:
www.youthinformation.com
www.thesite.org.uk
www.homelesspages.org.uk

 

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