Housing Help for Families

Family Housing Rights

Check who is named on the tenancy, who lives there, and whether a change in household needs landlord permission. Keep your tenancy agreement and correspondence. A child living in a home does not automatically give every adult tenancy rights.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Private renters usually have assured periodic tenancies where the Renters’ Rights Act applies, but lodgers and some other arrangements differ. Ask about adding or removing a tenant before making changes.

Council housing: Council tenants may hold secure, introductory or other tenancies. Succession, assignment and household changes depend on the tenancy and law; ask the council for its policy.

Housing association: Housing-association tenancies can be assured, secure or another type. Succession and household rules depend on the agreement and legal requirements.

Shelter: tenancy rights ↗

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Overcrowding & Suitable Homes

Write down the number and ages of people in the home, sleeping arrangements and any health or safety impact. Ask the council about its housing register, allocation policy and overcrowding advice. Being overcrowded does not automatically mean an immediate move is available.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Ask your landlord about the occupancy terms and seek council advice if conditions are unsafe. You can apply to the council for housing even if you currently rent privately.

Council housing: Ask about transfer applications, medical priority and the council allocation policy. Keep evidence of your family’s needs.

Housing association: Ask your association about transfer options, mutual exchanges and any nominations through the council.

Shelter: overcrowding advice ↗

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Damp, Mould & Home Safety

Awaab’s Law — timescales and accommodation

For qualifying social rented homes in England, emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours of the landlord becoming aware of them. Potential significant damp and mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days; confirmed hazards must be made safe within 5 working days after the investigation finishes. A written summary must normally be sent within 3 working days of the investigation finishing. If the home cannot be made safe within the deadline, the landlord must offer suitable alternative accommodation for the household. These timescales currently cover damp and mould and all emergency hazards. From 30 November 2026 they are due to extend to further serious hazards, including excess cold and heat, falls, fire and electrical hazards, pests and domestic hygiene, and structural collapse. Check GOV.UK for the full requirements. Last checked 4 November 2026.

Report damp, mould, leaks, faulty heating and other hazards promptly in writing. Record dates, photographs and the effect on household members. Seek medical advice where symptoms are concerning. For immediate danger call 999; for gas emergencies follow the gas emergency service instructions.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Landlords have repairing and safety duties; the local council may investigate serious hazards in private rented homes. Awaab’s Law deadlines for social landlords do not automatically apply to private landlords.

Council housing: Report qualifying hazards to the council as your landlord and request action within the Awaab’s Law deadlines above. Explain the needs of children and other household members.

Housing association: Housing associations are also covered by Awaab’s Law for qualifying hazards. Request written findings, a timetable and an explanation of any temporary accommodation needed.

GOV.UK: Awaab’s Law tenant guidance ↗

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Disability & Additional Housing Needs

Accessibility and support

Tell your landlord about disability-related needs, request reasonable adjustments to its services where required, and ask about adaptations or suitable housing. Grant eligibility, adaptations and rehousing options depend on individual circumstances and local rules.

Explain what daily activities are difficult, what changes could help, and whether an occupational therapist assessment is needed. Ask the council about adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants; eligibility and funding depend on circumstances. Seek individual advice about reasonable adjustments.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Speak to the landlord about permission for alterations and ask the council about Disabled Facilities Grants. Equality Act protections may apply, but the landlord’s obligations depend on the facts.

Council housing: Ask for an adaptations assessment, accessible transfer options and reasonable adjustments to landlord services where required.

Housing association: Ask about adaptations, support plans, transfer routes and reasonable adjustments to services.

GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants ↗

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Rent, Benefits & Family Finances

Make a simple budget covering rent, energy, food and childcare. If rent is becoming difficult, contact the landlord early, seek free debt advice, and check Universal Credit, Housing Benefit where relevant, Council Tax Reduction and other help. Never ignore court papers.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Private rent and deposit rules depend on tenancy type. For most private assured tenancies, statutory rent-increase procedures and limits apply; seek advice if a notice looks wrong.

Council housing: Ask for a written rent and service-charge breakdown and the landlord’s arrears support. Dispute incorrect charges in writing rather than simply withholding rent.

Housing association: Ask the association for a breakdown of rent and service charges, and what hardship support is available.

Citizens Advice: housing costs ↗

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Relationship Breakdown & Housing

If a relationship ends, do not assume the person who leaves loses all legal rights or rent responsibility. Rights depend on marriage or civil partnership, ownership, tenancy names, children and court orders. Seek specialist advice before changing locks, surrendering a tenancy or signing new documents.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: Joint tenants can remain liable for rent even if one moves out. Occupation and family-law rights may affect who can stay; get tailored advice.

Council housing: A joint or sole council tenancy may involve succession, assignment or court decisions. Ask for independent advice before requesting a tenancy change.

Housing association: Similar issues arise with assured and other association tenancies; the correct route depends on tenancy and family circumstances.

Citizens Advice: relationship breakdown and housing ↗

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Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Help

Contact your council homelessness team as soon as you may lose accommodation, including if it is unsafe because of abuse. You do not need to wait until you are sleeping rough. Explain if children, pregnancy, disability or domestic abuse are involved. Councils must assess applications under applicable homelessness law; outcomes depend on circumstances.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: If given notice, seek advice immediately. A notice alone does not always end the tenancy or mean you must leave that day.

Council housing: If facing possession action, contact an independent adviser and the council homelessness team promptly.

Housing association: Housing-association tenants can also approach the council homelessness service. Keep all notices and court papers.

Shelter: homelessness advice ↗

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Complaints & Independent Support

Keep a dated timeline, photographs, repair reports and copies of messages. Complain in writing and explain the remedy you want. Protect children’s and other family members’ personal information; this website does not accept confidential case uploads.

Different housing arrangements

Private renting: For private-landlord hazards, contact the council where appropriate. Letting-agent redress schemes may handle qualifying agent complaints. The Housing Ombudsman is not the ordinary private-landlord complaints route.

Council housing: Council landlord service complaints can usually be taken through the landlord complaints procedure and potentially to the Housing Ombudsman; other council decisions have different review routes.

Housing association: Association landlord service complaints may be eligible for Housing Ombudsman review after the applicable complaints process.

Housing Ombudsman: residents ↗

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