Your Legal Rights - Homeless Helpers UK

Quick Summary (Easy Read)

If you are homeless or about to lose your home, the council must help you.
You have rights to get help, a plan, and sometimes a place to stay.
If you have a service dog, you have extra rights. Your dog should be allowed with you.
If you think the council made a mistake, you can ask them to look again.
If someone breaks your rights, you can report it and get help.

If you need help, contact us: helpme@homeless.website or +44 7853 811172

Know Your Rights

Your Legal Rights When Facing Homelessness

Legal Rights When Facing Homelessness

In the United Kingdom, individuals facing homelessness have specific legal rights protected by law. Understanding these rights is crucial for accessing the support and services you're entitled to receive.

The Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, provides a framework of rights designed to prevent homelessness and support those already experiencing it. Local authorities have legal duties to assist you, depending on your circumstances.

This page outlines your key legal rights and explains how to exercise them effectively when dealing with local councils, support services, and other institutions.

Important Note

The information on this page is based on laws applicable in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal frameworks for homelessness.

Laws and policies change frequently. This information was last updated in April 2025.

Housing Assistance

Your right to assistance from local authorities when homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Councils must assess anyone who approaches them as homeless
56-day prevention duty to those threatened with homelessness
56-day relief duty to help secure accommodation
Temporary accommodation requirements for priority need cases

Personalised Housing Plans

Your right to a tailored plan to address your housing situation.

Assessment of your housing needs and circumstances
Written plan with reasonable steps for both you and the council
Regular reviews of the plan's effectiveness
Right to request a review if you disagree with the plan

Right to Challenge Decisions

Your right to appeal council decisions about your homelessness application.

21 days to request a review of most decisions
Right to remain in temporary accommodation during review
Option to appeal to county court on point of law
Access to free legal advice through legal aid

Legal Rights for People with Service Dogs

In the UK, if you have a service or assistance dog, you have the right to keep your dog with you in most public places, including temporary accommodation provided by the council. It is illegal for councils, shelters, or landlords to refuse you just because you have a service dog.

You cannot be refused housing or support because of your service dog.
Service dogs are protected by the Equality Act 2010.
If you are refused help or accommodation because of your dog, report it to us or to the Equality Advisory Support Service.

Need help with your service dog rights? Email dogs@homeless.website or +44 7853 811172

Report a Service Dog Rights Violation

Priority Need Categories

Under UK homelessness legislation, some individuals have "priority need" status, which entitles them to enhanced support, including temporary accommodation. You may be in priority need if:

You have dependent children living with you
You are pregnant
You are vulnerable due to old age
You are vulnerable due to physical disability
You are vulnerable due to mental illness or disability
You are fleeing domestic abuse

You are vulnerable as a result of time spent in care
You are vulnerable as a result of time spent in the armed forces
You are vulnerable as a result of time spent in prison
You are vulnerable because you're fleeing violence or threats
You are 16-17 years old
You are 18-20 years old and were previously in care

Vulnerability Test

For many of the above categories, councils apply a "vulnerability test" – they assess whether you are "significantly more vulnerable than an ordinary person would be if they became homeless." This can be difficult to prove, but our templates and guidance can help you make your case effectively.

Create Supporting Letters

How to Apply as Homeless

Contact your local council's housing department – in person, by phone, or online.
Request a homelessness assessment – be clear that you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Attend the assessment interview – bring any relevant documents and evidence.
Receive your Personalised Housing Plan – review it carefully and discuss any concerns.
Follow the steps in your plan – keep records of all actions you take.
Request temporary accommodation if you believe you have priority need.
Challenge any decisions you disagree with within 21 days.

Prepare for your assessment: Use our assessment preparation guide to help you gather the right evidence and make the strongest case possible.

View Assessment Guide →

Legal Help and Representation

If you need legal advice or representation for your homelessness case, several options are available:

Shelter's helpline: 0808 800 4444 (free, available 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends)
Citizens Advice Bureau: Free advice on housing and benefits
Law Centres: Not-for-profit legal advice centers for those who cannot afford a lawyer
Legal Aid: Government funding for legal advice if you meet income criteria
Housing solicitors: Specialists in housing law (some offer free initial consultations)

Need legal representation? Our database can help you find solicitors in your area who specialize in homelessness and housing law.

Find Legal Help →

Challenging Council Decisions

If the council makes a decision about your homelessness application that you disagree with, you have the right to challenge it. Common decisions that can be challenged include:

That you are not homeless or threatened with homelessness
That you are intentionally homeless
That you have no local connection to the area
That you are not in priority need
The suitability of accommodation offered to you
That you have not cooperated with your Personalised Housing Plan

How to Request a Review

Make your request in writing within 21 days of being notified of the decision
Clearly state which decision you're challenging and why you think it's wrong
Include any new evidence that supports your case
Ask for temporary accommodation to continue during the review if applicable
Consider getting legal advice to help with your review

Need help with your review? Our letter templates can help you draft an effective review request letter to challenge council decisions.

Create Review Request Letter

Intentionally Homeless

If the council decides that you are intentionally homeless, it means they believe you deliberately did something (or failed to do something) that caused you to lose your home. This can affect the help you receive.

Examples include not paying rent or mortgage when you could afford to
Leaving a home you could have stayed in
Being evicted due to antisocial behavior

Challenging Intentional Homelessness Decisions

Request a review of the decision within 21 days
Provide evidence that you did not deliberately cause your homelessness
Seek legal advice to strengthen your case

Need help challenging an 'intentionally homeless' decision? Use our letter templates.