Moving Out

If you have come to the agreement that it is time for your young person to leave home, it is essential that you are both prepared. A successful move out of the family home will leave you both safe, happy and with an appropriate place to live.

Some parents take a ‘tough love’ approach - kicking out teenagers to see how they cope with the reality of living without support. Others simply can’t cope anymore with the situation at home. And some young people have to leave home for their own safety.

This section aims to give you basic information about what kind of accommodation is available to young people, what skills and resources are needed before leaving home and where to get help and assistance.

This information is relevant to all parents of young people; whether your child will be living in student halls, a council flat, a hostel, buying their own house, with friends or by themselves ... they will need to know the basics about living independently.

Have you talked about ...

Types of accommodation (and what they cost)?

Finances and budgeting?

Housekeeping Skills?

Furniture?

Sources of Support?

Making it work:

Rights and Responsibilities as a tenant:

When anyone moves into their first accommodation away from the family home, they take on a whole new set of responsibilities.

Make sure they know when their rent is due and how it should be paid. Offer to read through any tenancy agreements before they sign, or advise them to get it checked out at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Tenants also have rights - check the accommodation is in good repair for example, and ascertain who is responsible for maintenance.

Check out www.shelter.org.uk for lots of useful information about tenants rights and responsibilities.

Stay in touch

Most young people feel lonely when they first experience independence, make sure your son or daughter has a way of getting home (or at least phoning you) if they come unstuck.

It can be tough, but try to find the balance between being interested and interfering - and be sure to be helpful not critical.

If your young person does find they can’t cope by themselves, try to encourage them to face their responsibilities and to explore what other options are available.

Don’t be afraid to seek advice from other people - there are organisations ready to help both of you deal with this new phase in your lives.