Homelessness

If for some reason you will not have a place to live, have been evicted or it is unsafe for you to live where you are supposed to be living you could be considered legally homeless.

In this case your council may be required to help you. However, the first step should be to let the University know and get their help. 

If you think that you might have been illegally evicted or that the eviction process was not fair, look at the Illegal Eviction page for more information. 

How can the University Support you?

If you are afraid that you might be homeless soon or are homeless now, you should contact the Student Advice and Support Service to get their assistance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

In the UK you are considered legally homeless if: 
    • You have no legal right to live in accommodation anywhere in the world 
    • You cannot get into your home, for example your landlord has locked you out 
    • It is not reasonable to stay in your home, for example you are at risk of violence or abuse 
    • You are forced to live apart from your family or people you normally live with because there is no space for you 
    • You are living in very poor conditions such as in an overcrowded space 

The type of help you can get depends on whether you are eligible for assistance, if you are in priority need and what has caused you to become homeless. Other considerations in an application for assistance include whether the applicant is intentionally homeless and if they have local connections, etc. You could be offered advice, emergency housing, support to find longer-term housing or help so that you can stay in your current home.  

If you permanently live in the UK, you are generally eligible for assistance. If you are an international student, you might not be eligible due to your immigration status. For more information on this have a look at Shelter’s guide on housing rights.

You will be in priority need if any of the following are true: 
    • You or someone you live with is pregnant 
    • ‘Dependent children’ live with you, either under 16s or under 19s if they are studying full-time 
    • You are 16 or 17 
    • You are under 21 and were in care between the ages of 16 and 18 
    • You are assessed by the council as vulnerable, for example as a result of disability or domestic abuse 
    • You are homeless after a flood, fire or other disaster  

More Resources

Harassment/Illegal Eviction/Security of Tenure

GOV.UK

Help if you are homeless or about to become homeless

Last Updated: 8th September 2022