I’m Worried About Losing My Home or Becoming Homeless, Where Can I Get Help?
You do not have to be sleeping on the street before asking for homelessness help.
You do not have to be sleeping on the street before asking for homelessness help.
You might still have your keys and still be living at home while facing a possession notice, mortgage action, family breakdown or another situation that means the accommodation may not remain available.
In England, the homelessness system is deliberately designed to begin before the point of homelessness.
What does ‘threatened with homelessness’ mean?
A person can be threatened with homelessness where they are likely to become homeless within 56 days.
Housing law also contains specific rules around valid possession notices.
From 1 May 2026, changes to private renting mean the detail around possession notices has changed, so obtain current advice rather than relying on older information about section 21 notices.
The council’s prevention duty
Where the legal tests are met, a local housing authority owes a prevention duty to an eligible person threatened with homelessness.
The focus is on reasonable steps to help prevent homelessness. That might involve helping someone remain in their existing home or helping secure alternative accommodation.
The prevention stage is not a guarantee that the council will provide a permanent council property.
If you are already homeless
A different relief duty can apply when somebody is already homeless.
The council should work with the person to take reasonable steps to help secure accommodation.
Where the authority has reason to believe a homeless applicant may be eligible for assistance and have a priority need, interim accommodation duties can also arise. Individual entitlement depends on the statutory tests.
Do not ignore a possession notice
Keep the notice and the envelope or email through which it arrived.
Do not assume it is valid, but do not assume it can safely be ignored either.
Housing possession procedure is technical. Take the notice, tenancy agreement and relevant correspondence to a qualified housing adviser or solicitor so they can consider the current law and your circumstances.
Tell the council before the crisis point
Contact the local authority housing or homelessness team if you believe you may lose your home.
Explain the date by which accommodation may end and provide any notice or court paperwork.
The official system is intended to identify threatened homelessness before somebody reaches the point of having nowhere to go.
Other organisations may be able to refer you
Certain public bodies have a legal duty to refer people they believe may be homeless or threatened with homelessness to a housing authority, with the person’s consent.
That can include situations where another service becomes aware of rent or mortgage arrears, eviction risk or other housing instability.
You can also approach the council yourself; you do not need to wait for a professional referral.
Homeless does not always mean roofless
Someone can be legally homeless without sleeping rough.
For example, accommodation may not genuinely be available to occupy or it may not be reasonable to continue occupying it in particular circumstances.
If you are sofa surfing, moving between temporary places or remaining somewhere you believe is unsafe, explain the full circumstances rather than simply saying “I still have somewhere tonight”.
The emotional impact can be intense
Fear of losing a home can affect sleep, concentration, work and relationships.
Administrative tasks can become harder precisely when they matter most.
Put notices, tenancy or mortgage documents, council correspondence and identification together in one place. Ask somebody you trust to sit with you while you make calls if that helps. Mental-health support can sit alongside housing advice; one does not replace the other.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important informationThis guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical or other professional advice. Housing rights, financial support and legal remedies depend on the type of tenancy or mortgage, location and individual circumstances. Check current official information and consider advice from an appropriately qualified housing adviser, healthcare professional, financial adviser or legal professional where needed.