Overview: Where to turn if you lose your home

If you are faced with losing your home, whether through repossession, eviction or other circumstances, you will need to find somewhere to live.

You can apply to the Housing Department of your local authority (county or city council). The authority will assess your circumstances and may allocate you somewhere to live, based on their assessment of your need. If you get a local authority dwelling, the rent will be based on your ability to pay.

You can apply to more than one local authority – for example, a county council and an urban district council.

You can also apply to a housing association or to a housing co-operative. These are organisations which provide social housing for people who cannot afford to buy their own homes. Like the local authority, they will assess your circumstances and may offer you somewhere to live, based on their assessment of your need. Again, the rent will be calculated on the basis of your ability to pay.

If you find somewhere to rent from a private landlord, you may qualify for a Rent Supplement to help with the rent. Rent Supplement does have a number of qualifying conditions, for example, you need to have been a tenant for at least six months, or have been placed on a local authority housing list, or have moved from accommodation for homeless people. If you are paying tax, you may be able to claim some tax relief on your rent.

If you cannot find anywhere to live straight away, you can apply for emergency or temporary accommodation until you get something more permanent. Our document on housing options for homeless people describes the various supports that are available.

You may wish to contact your local Citizens Information Centre for face-to face information and advice, phone the Citizens Information Phone Service on Lo-call 1890 777 121, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, or log on to the Citizens Information website.

You can also contact Threshold, which provides an independent advisory and advocacy service on housing matters.

If you have lost your home due to problem debt or arrears, you may wish to contact MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, which can help you to manage your debts, deal with your creditors and plan a weekly budget.