Avoid homelessness – act now

If your landlord asks you to leave

Do not panic. Your landlord cannot force you to leave.

To find out more about your rights, start by reading 'what to do if your landlord asks you to leave'.

You can also:

• check our online self-help tool for free advice on evictions
• get advice from our factsheet on how you can avoid homelessness as a private renter

If you have been asked to move out by your landlord, family, partner or friend

Get advice as soon as you can

Shelter has advice on what to do if you are homeless and living with family or friends.

For relationship problems consider mediation

Mediation could help you avoid becoming homeless. You could try family or couple counselling and mediation services like Relate (Enfield).

Have your parents asked you to move out?

If it is safe for you to stay, you must first try mediation so that you do not become homeless.

If you must leave, then you should search for a home you can afford to rent.

Rents in London are high, so you should also consider ways to get extra income.

Private-rented homes not social housing

Being homeless does not mean you will automatically be offered social housing. There is a very long waiting list for social housing in Enfield.

Even if you and your family are currently living in social housing, you will not be automatically entitled to a council home if you move out.

If we decide that we have a legal duty to offer you housing, the home we offer you will likely be a private home for rent.

What happens if you become homeless?

If we accept that you are eligible for our help, and you are ‘homeless or at risk of homelessness’, you can make a homelessness application. However, you must be at least 18 years old.

If you cannot pay London’s high rents, you might have to move far away to an area where you can afford to pay your rent.

In the meantime, you could live in basic accommodation until you find your own home. Your stay could be longer if you wait for us to offer you suitable housing.

What to do next

You should do all you can to avoid becoming homeless.

For anonymous advice, please use our free online housing advice self-help tool.

You can also get cost-of-living information at our community hubs.

Housing costs help, everyday bills and the benefit cap

Get help to pay your housing costs and everyday bills

Even with a careful budget, it can be hard to pay our rent, mortgage or bills.

There are several ways to get advice and help if you are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage.

You can also find out how to manage your bills and debt.

Discounts and other support to pay your energy bills

You can get support with high energy bills. Follow our advice on reducing your energy use and getting help to pay your energy bills.

Are you affected by the benefit cap?

If you're 16 or over, and below the State Pension age, you might be affected by the benefit cap.

This means there is a limit on the total amount of money you can get from welfare benefits.

Depending on your earnings – and the welfare benefits your household claims – you could avoid being affected by the benefit cap.

To check if you are benefit-capped, you can use an online benefits calculator.

Rent a home you can afford

1. Affordability

Decide how much rent you can afford. Your income and benefit payments must be able to pay your rent, bills and other expenses.

Estimate how much rent you can pay by making a budget.

You should also try MoneyHelper’s advice on how to calculate the amount of rent you can afford.

2. Size

Decide how many bedrooms you need.

3. Location

Rents in Enfield and most of London are high. If you cannot afford to rent in Enfield, consider homes in other parts of London or further away.

Think about the different places you could live. For example, areas you can travel from for work, education or to be with friends and family.

4. Search (online and letting agents)

Use your answers to affordability, size and location to find a home you can afford to rent.

Search property websites like Zoopla, Rightmove and OnTheMarket. You can also register with estate agents.

Free local support and homelessness charities

Free support for families in Enfield

You can get in-person advice to help your family at our family hubs. They offer advice on parenting, wellbeing, welfare benefits, jobs, and more.

Enfield has a variety of services, activities, and support for families. Search the Enfield Early Help Directory 4 All and the Enfield Parenting Directory.

Homelessness help from local charities and community groups

You can get housing and homelessness advice from charities like Citizens Advice, Shelter and Crisis.

Several charities and community groups in Enfield also offer practical cost-of-living and homelessness support. Start by checking Enfield Voluntary Action’s list of homelessness charities in Enfield.

Homelessness help and our statutory duties

Getting help from us if you are homeless

You will have more control over your housing – and better choices – if you can avoid becoming homeless.

There are several stages in a homelessness application. We will start by checking if you are eligible for our help.

Our statutory duties and housing placement policy

The support we provide depends on your circumstances, and our statutory homelessness duties.

Also, if we have a duty to offer you housing, we will only make one offer of accommodation. You might have to move outside of London to somewhere farther away where you can afford to pay your rent.