Guides › Public Services › Domestic Abuse: Housing Help if You Need to Leave Home
Domestic Abuse: Housing Help If You Need to Leave Home
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police; on a mobile you can press 55 if you cannot speak. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247. If you are homeless because of domestic abuse, you have a priority need for housing. The council should provide somewhere to stay immediately while it looks into your case, and should not demand police evidence.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Getting Help Now
Emergency
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard; this only works on mobiles and does not let police track your location. source
Helplines
England: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge), 0808 2000 247, free and confidential, 24 hours. Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327. Wales: Live Fear Free, 0808 80 10 100. source
What the Council Must Do
Priority Need
If you are homeless because of domestic abuse you have a priority need for housing. It is not reasonable for you to stay in your home if that is likely to lead to violence or abuse, and you should not be expected to stay or go back. source
Somewhere Safe Now
If there is reason to believe you may be homeless because of domestic abuse, the council should provide interim accommodation immediately while it makes enquiries. It should not require police evidence and should not contact the alleged abuser. source
Moving Area
The council cannot refer you to another area under local connection rules if you, or anyone who would live with you, would be at risk of domestic abuse there. Survivors of domestic abuse do not need a local connection to apply. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- NowInterim accommodationShould be offered straight away
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
If you are in danger, call 999.
Step 2 of 5
Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for safety planning.
Step 3 of 5
Contact any council's homelessness team: you do not need a local connection.
Step 4 of 5
Tell them you need somewhere safe today.
Step 5 of 5
Ask for decisions in writing; get advice if you are refused.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
0808 2000 247, free, 24 hours a day.
Help from Your Council (GOV.UK)
Enter your postcode to reach your council's homelessness team.
Police: 999
In an emergency.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
This page is information and signposting only. CPUK is not a support service.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities/chapter-21-domestic-abuse Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/homelessness-help-from-council Checked 8 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 8 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026