Moving out at 17?

[karenanne]

I am a 17 year old girl, I currently live at home yet feel this is no longer possible as constant arguing with my (both natural) parents and fairly frequent violence from my father is breaking me both physically and mentally. I have a 17 year old friend who has said she would like to move out too (her parents support her in this, mine as yet do not know). We both have relatives who have offered to be guarantors (her father and my grandmother) and also both have jobs (myself part time as I am in college, earning around �290p/m and her a full time job at around �500p/m). We are both mature and already pay rent to live at home so understand about budgeting etc. I would like to know what rights I have as to moving out (especially if it comes to having to do it without my parent's consent) and also what benefits there are (Besides EMA etc). Any help would be much appreciated.

[Ethel]

You can leave home without your parents' consent at 16 - but you will really struggle on that income.

[redcrx]

what rent do you pay at home? a small flat could cost �500 a month, rates �70, electicity �40-60, tv license �10, food �200-300, water �20-30, plus then the cost for furniture, clothes, getting to and from college, and items you require for college.

i dont think youd be entitled to any benefits

[Nosha123]

I know it must seem awful at home - but maybe you could move in with other family instead.. your grandmother? Or an Aunt? I know you think you can survive and are desperate to leave home - but it really aint the big picture its made up to be! Especially in todays current climate - cost of living is really expensive! yesterdays news reckons a single person needs �13,000 to live a fairly normal level of life. I would definately try to find another option... if you can. In the long term you will be better off and have an easier life financially rather than struggling from such a young age!

[stonekicker]

you would probably be entitled to some housing benefit, but this is means tested and would keep you at a low income level while claiming and you would probably end up in a bedsit/similar hovel. my advice would be to go and see shelter (national homelessness charity), your local cab and/or local council housing advice service (who will be able to answer all your questions properly and without opinion).

also, if there is violence at home, you may be able to claim domestic violence through your local homelessness team and be rehoused that way (but they may try and bully you through this process to avoid having to house you). at 17 and a victim of violence, you would be in priority need and they would have to find you more secure housing of some kind - again, if they try and say they don't have to house you/ask your parents/involve the police stand your ground and refuse and threaten them with shelter/housing advice interventions to support yourself.

i moved out when i was 16 due to much the same reasons as i felt i would go insane if i stayed at home any longer - it was the best thing i ever did for myself BUT it took ten long hard years (with a child i had when i was your age) to study at college and then uni to become a nurse. i have been in the job for 8 months and all the blood, sweat and tears along the way was worth it. but i had to live in some absolutely sh!t accommodation along the way.

i wish you luck and whichever route you choose to go down, you will have to persevere. get as much advice, support and advocacy as you can and remember that nobody has the right to physically abuse you (or otherwise) whoever they may be. good luck

[jimbob703]

As others have said you can legally move out no problem and if you're suffering violence then mention that to the council and they MAY make you a priority for a council flat although they'll probably want the allegation to be formalised i.e for you to make a complaint to the police. Since you're under 18 you would be fairly high up the list anyway as far as council help goes. Speak to the Citizens' Advice Bureau and go see the housing people at your local council.