Friends or family have asked you to leave

It can feel sudden and overwhelming. But there’s often more you can do than you think.

The law sets the limits on what help we can provide. Everyone can get advice to help keep their current accommodation or find somewhere to live, but only some people qualify for emergency housing.

Which of these sounds most like your situation?

Things are tense but nothing is definite yet

What to do right now

This is the best time to act. A conversation now is much easier than a crisis later.

Try to have a calm, honest chat about what is worrying them. Even agreeing a few more weeks gives you real options.

Think about whether any other family members could offer you a room while things settle down.

If direct conversations feel too difficult, mediation can help. A trained, independent person helps both sides talk things through without taking sides.

Wandsworth Mediation Service (WMS) is an independent charity that offers free conflict support to Wandsworth residents.

To find out more or request support, contact WMS:

If you are thinking about moving, there are a few things to consider:

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use these websites to search for suitable rental properties. You can use filters such as location, number of bedrooms and pets depending on your needs:

  • SpareRoom, Zoopla and Rightmove specialise in house shares and lodging for singles and couples 
  • OpenRent lists private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
  • Shelter has an online tool that can walk you through your options step by step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you’ve researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it’s essential you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

These tools can help:

  • MoneyHelper is a free, confidential, government-backed service to help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills
  • Check your Local Housing Allowance rate by postcode to understand the maximum amount benefits will cover toward your rent

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Wandsworth offers free, confidential guidance.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check if you are getting all the financial support you are entitled to. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

  • entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim (takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous) 
  • Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back

For free help with debts:

Help with paying a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

I have a date to move and need to start planning

What to do right now

If you have been given a date to leave, it is worth having a calm conversation about more time. A reasonable notice period is usually 28 days, but many people are able to agree up to six weeks.

Even if the date feels fixed, acting now gives you more options. The steps below will help you work out what you can afford and where to start looking.

If you are thinking about moving, there are a few things to consider.

Find out what rental properties cost in different areas

Use these websites to search for suitable rental properties. You can use filters such as location, number of bedrooms and pets depending on your needs:

  • SpareRoom, Zoopla and Rightmove specialise in house shares and lodging for singles and couples 
  • OpenRent lists private rentals directly from landlords with no admin fees
  • Shelter has an online tool that can walk you through your options step by step

Find out how much you can afford for rent

Once you’ve researched how much rental properties cost in different areas, it’s essential you understand what you can realistically afford as you may consider widening your search areas.

These tools can help:

  • MoneyHelper is a free, confidential, government-backed service to help you understand how much you spend and plan for costs like a deposit, moving expenses, and bills
  • Check your Local Housing Allowance rate by postcode to understand the maximum amount benefits will cover toward your rent

If you would prefer to talk things through with someone, Citizens Advice Wandsworth offers free, confidential guidance.

Explore financial assistance options if you are on a low income

Check whether you are getting all the financial support you are entitled to. It could make a real difference to what you can afford.

  • entitledto: A free benefits calculator that shows which benefits and tax credits you may be able to claim (takes about 10 minutes and is anonymous) 
  • Turn2us: Helps people find money they did not know they were entitled to, including grants you never have to pay back

For free help with debts:

Help with paying a deposit

Most private landlords ask for a deposit of up to five weeks’ rent. This is often the biggest upfront barrier to getting somewhere to live, so it is worth planning for it early.

If you are on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help with a deposit or rent in advance. Speak to your housing officer about this.

Some charitable grants may also help with a deposit. Use the Turn2us grants search to see what might be available in your area.

Get in touch

Contact our Housing team for advice and support.

We can talk things through with you and explain your options, but the steps you take yourself are just as important.

I’ve had to leave and have nowhere to stay tonight

What we can do

You do not need to be on the streets before asking for help. Contact us today.

Under these circumstances we have a legal duty to:

  • Listen to your situation
  • Assess your needs if you may be homeless
  • Give you tailored advice and support
  • Work with you on a Personal Housing Plan, which will include a list of actions to help you find somewhere to stay

Temporary accommodation

Whether we can offer temporary accommodation depends on your individual circumstances, including whether you have a priority need.

If you do not have a priority need, we cannot place you in temporary accommodation, but we can still help you find somewhere safe to stay. 

Other options to try tonight

  • Speak to family or friends about staying temporarily
  • Streetlink can help connect people sleeping rough with local support
  • Some hostels accept self-referrals

Get in touch

Contact our Housing team for advice and support.

Up to If you are homeless or worried about losing your home

Updated: 06/07/2026