Housing help after separation in England & Wales

If separating has left you without a secure place to live in England or Wales, help is available. Shelter's free housing helpline is on 0808 800 4444, and your local council has a legal duty to help if you're homeless or at risk of losing your home.

Shelter and Citizens Advice both offer step-by-step advice on your options, your rights as a tenant, and how to apply to the council for help. You don't have to face this alone.

In England the law is built around asking your council for help early, well before the day you might have to leave. You do not need to be an owner, or even on the deeds, to have rights in the home while you are married or in a civil partnership. Wales runs its own homelessness system through Welsh councils, so if you live in Wales, start with your local council there.

• Your council must help if you are legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks; do not wait until you have lost the home to ask (gov.uk).
• Help can include advice, emergency housing, support to find longer term housing, or help so you can stay in your current home (gov.uk).
• Having dependent children living with you (under 16, or under 19 if in full time study) puts you in priority need for housing help (gov.uk).
• If your spouse or civil partner owns the home in their name alone, you can register home rights with HM Land Registry, which can help stop them selling it while things are worked out (gov.uk).
• A common mistake: assuming that not being on the deeds means no rights. Home rights exist precisely for the spouse or civil partner who is not the legal owner (gov.uk).

Checked August 2026 against gov.uk.

If your living situation is uncertain, get advice early. You may have more options and rights than you expect.

• If you are at risk of losing your home, ask your local authority about homelessness help; they have duties towards families with children.
• You may have a right to stay in the family home for now, even if it is not in your name, so get advice before you leave.
• Check what help with housing costs you can claim.
• Free advice services can help with rent arrears, deposits and applying for social housing.