Who can help?

It is really important to make the right decisions about your housing needs and it’s a good idea to get some specialist advice. There are some organisations who can provide you with help and information, such as Shelter or your local Citizens Advice Bureau. (See other organisations in Useful Contacts). If you own your own home, however, it’s probably best to see a solicitor for legal advice. Most solicitors will give a free half hour consultation. It may also help you to talk through how you are feeling about the break-up with someone such as a relate counsellor.

What about the children?

The choices about where you live will obviously affect your children. You need to think about the impact if they have to change school, will they still be able to see their friends and wider family members? It’s important for them to maintain a quality relationship with you both.

Where will we live?

When you and your partner decide to separate, you have to make a decision about where you will live.

One of you may decide to stay in the home and the other partner may move out; you may both leave and find new homes; or you may carry on living in the same house together, but not as a couple. Many factors will determine your housing choices, for example:

  • The children - it is most important for them to have somewhere suitable to live when they are with each of you
  • Your current housing position - whether you rent,
    own or share your home
  • Your entitlement - whether you are the sole or joint owner or tenant
  • Your finances - whether you can afford to remain in your current home.