Your First HomeSome Stuff You

Really Need To Know

Hi, my name is Jamie and this booklet is based on my experiences of getting a home of my own for the first time. I have been homeless and in and out of foster care, off and on since I was eleven years old. I was homeless for nearly a year, sleeping rough, living in a tent and sofa surfing before I got my flat.

When I moved into to my flat I made lots of mistakes and got lots of things wrong, I struggled to keep it together, what should have been a great experience for me nearly turned into a nightmare. I was lucky and got support and things got sorted.

As a result of my experiences I did not want anyone else to go through the stress and uncertainty and maybe even risk losing their first home. So working with my local youth club I started to produce this leaflet and with the help of Shelter and Freshfields here it is.

Please read it this, don’t think you know it all, take the advice, it is good advice, I know what it is like, I have been there and lived it and this booklet would have been a great help to me.

Jamie

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Contents

3 INTRODUCTION

4 FIRST THINGS FIRST

10 MAKING YOUR MIND UP

13 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

16 FURNITURE AND STUFF

21 GETTING IN THE DOOR

24 REPAIRS

28 WHO NEEDS TO KNOW?

30 IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

32 HAVING MATES ROUND

35 WEALTH AND HEALTH

38 IF THINGS GO WRONG

39 YOU AND THE LAW

40 USEFUL CONTACTS

44 YOUR CONTACTS

2

YOU’VE BEEN OFFERED A HOME OF YOUR OWN

WOW!

3

INTRODUCTION

Is this the first time you will have lived on your own, away from family and friends? Feel over the moon? Scared? Either way, it’s a big step to take.

Seriously – you don’t need to worry; as long as you do things properly you’re all good. We have put together this leaflet to help you with both the dull (legal) stuff and the more exciting (practical) things, so you can set up your very first home and get on with your life!

Take our advice and read through this properly – and make sure you get help if you need it.

This leaflet has lots of information and useful stuff you will need to know when setting up your first place, from looking over your flat to getting things right when you walk through the door for the first time.

Whatever your circumstances, take your time to read through this leaflet. You may need to ask someone to help you fully understand what is being said, but we will try to make it as easy to understand as we can.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

You may be going to rent from the council, a housing association (HA),

or a private landlord. Your rights and responsibilities and the things you may have to do could be

very different, so always ask for advice from people like Shelter or CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). Either way, there are certain things you will have to do.

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Firstly, if you are homeless, or on the housing waiting list, you should get an offer letter from the local council or housing association offering you a tenancy.

THIS leTTeR SHOUlD Tell yOU:

the address of the property;*

how to get hold of your housing officer; and*

the rent and other charges (service charge). *

The letter should also give you a date and time when you can view the property. When you view the property you will probably meet up with the housing officer at the same time: he or she will show you round and explain anything you need to know, and answer any questions you may have.

This is a very big step to take, but stay calm and try not to get too excited, because you’ve got a lot to do…

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The first thing you need to do is either confirm the

appointment offered in the letter or ring the housing officer and make an appointment to view the property.

Write down anything obvious, such as repairs that need to be made

(look out for things like dodgy

cupboard doors, cracked windows,

dripping taps, damaged floorboards,

etc). Discuss repairs with the

housing officer/lettings agent during

the visit and check if the place will be

redecorated before you move in.

When you go to

view the property take a friend, family member, youth

worker, or someone you can trust, with you.

Take a pen and paper so that you

can take notes of anything important

you’re told, or to note down any problems

you see. If you can, take photos of

anything that you’re not happy with on

your mobile phone, and ask if it can be fixed before you move in.

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Ask what type of meter is in the flat or house

and how to get your gas, electricity and water

turned on.

Don’t be too disappointed

if the decoration is in poor

condition. You may be able to get

a decoration grant from the

council. Remember to ask the

housing officer who shows you the

property about this.

Ask how much your rent is, how it is to be

paid and when. Find out if

the rent is due weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

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Check whether

you can have a gas or electric cooker in the flat

and whether the heating is gas or electric.

Ask where the stopcock is (to

switch off the water)

and if there are any fire/smoke alarms, in

case of emergency.

Turn on the hot and cold taps in the

bathroom and kitchen and flush the toilet to make sure they are

all connected to the water supply

and working properly.

Find out how to turn off the gas, electric and

water supply in case of an emergency.

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Ask whether or

not you are allowed to keep pets and if there are any

other restrictions.

Check if there is an

entryphone system

and that this is working.

Ask about the

neighbourhood; is it a safe area, do gangs

hang out locally?

Ask about neighbours. Are there

neighbours below who may

complain about you if you make too much noise, such as loud music?

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Don’t rush into a decision, or let the housing officer put you under pressure to make your mind up then and there. Take time to think – this is a big decision.

MAKING yOUR MIND UP

You’ve now got a lot to think about – and to talk about – and you’ve still got some things to check out before you can make a decision. So sit and talk to the person you took with you, and ask them for their views.

Try to visit again, at night and during the day, with friends or family, so you get a feel for any vibes. Is it well lit? Do you feel safe? Check out where the train station is and the nearest bus stop: will you feel safe getting to the bus stop, or from there to what could be your new home. Find out where your nearest post office is, as you may want to cash your giro there.

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Ask friends and family about the neighbourhood. Try to build up a picture of the area and whether you would feel safe living there.

You may have had a drug or alcohol problem, so living next door to the local ‘offie’, or in an area with lots of drug dealing, may not be cool for you.

Before you say yes or no to taking the flat, check out the rules with the council or housing association to see

if you get more than one offer. This is different depending on where you live: some places only give you one offer, others, three or more. Never refuse an offer without getting advice from a housing solicitor, Shelter or local CAB first (see ‘useful contacts’ p40). If you need it, ask for more time to decide.

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Or, you may be in an area that has choice-based lettings, which works completely differently. You need to know which applies to you, or you could get it badly wrong.

Sometimes you’ll go to the bottom of the list or not be offered any other property if you turn down a place, so don’t refuse before getting advice first and checking the rules for your area.

As a young person you don’t have many choices, so don’t blow it ’cos you are having a moody day. But, at the same time, if the area is really scary and you don’t think you will be safe or be able to cope, let the housing officer know your reasons and they may give you another chance.

Always take advice!

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WHAT HAPPeNS NeXT?

Now that you have decided to accept the offer of a home you may need to visit your housing office or housing association to make the final arrangements for taking up the tenancy. This may be done by the housing officer coming to meet you, going through the process and handing over the keys – once again, it’s a good idea to have a good friend or someone you can trust with you, for support.

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So what you have to do now is:

Agree a date for taking over the tenancy and moving in.

Sign and date the tenancy agreement, which is a legal document saying that you are now officially the tenant. Make sure you fully understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant before signing the agreement.

Claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if you are on a low wage or receiving benefits. This could help you pay for your rent and council tax. Ask for help with this as early as possible. You must claim your Housing Benefit within 7 days of taking up the tenancy and within

28 days if you are on Income Support. In order to claim you will need to provide proof of who you are, eg birth certificate, National Insurance number, tenancy agreement, etc. You must keep your payslips if you are working – you will need them to claim these benefits.

Ask for the list of repairs that have already been done. Agree the repairs that still need to be done with your housing officer, and find out if these will be carried out before you move in.

Once you have moved in, you can contact the housing officer if you need any more information.

Find out when you will be given your keys. This may be earlier than your moving in date.

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Congratulations! You are now a tenant with a home of your own.

But remember you have to look after your home and pay the rent and this is due from the date of the tenancy agreement. If you have any more questions at all, contact your housing officer.

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FURNITURe AND STUFF

OK, so now you need some furniture! You may have as little as a week or as much as a month to get this sorted before you move in. Just remember – you don’t need a fully furnished home straight away, so don’t blow cash you don’t have. Concentrate on the basics – items such as a bed and a cooker, pots and pans, a kettle,

bedding, towels, some crockery and cutlery, etc. If your rented place

is fully or partly furnished, make sure

you’re given an inventory of

everything included.

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Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t have much furniture – most of us start off with only a few things and add to it as time goes by.

HeRe ARe SOMe THINGS TO CONSIDeR:

Can you get a community care grant? If you are on Income Support or some other benefits, you probably can, so find out.

Ask your mates and family if they have anything that may be of use to you in setting up home.

Some faith groups and community associations may be able to help out with small items and even furniture – your support officer or housing officer may have some addresses you can go to for this.

Have a look around in local charity shops and boot fairs – you never know what you might find!

Check local papers and notices in shops for any bargains.

Remember to ask about delivery costs.

Make sure your furniture will fit through the front door and the door of the room you’re going to use it in, up the stairs and around corners, etc.

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You don’t have to take other people’s dirty second-hand furniture (especially mattresses).

Don’t accept stolen stuff.

Be careful with second-hand or faulty electrical items – they can be dangerous!

You may need to store this stuff before you move in. It needs to be somewhere clean, dry and secure. With big stuff like beds and sofas, ask the shop or charity to deliver it on the day you move in.

You should also use this time to find some friends and family to help you with the move. Do you know anyone with a van? Ask for their help: if not, you may have to hire a van and driver to do the job for you, so remember to budget for this. If friends and family are helping you out, don’t forget to thank them and remember to offer something towards the petrol or other expenses.

Now that you have got all this stuff to go in your flat, you should really try to sort out contents insurance in case anything gets nicked or damaged after you move in.

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DeCORATING

If you get the keys before you have to move in, try to use this time to get started on the decorating (it’s a lot easier to decorate when you have an empty flat).

Remember to ask your housing officer about schemes that offer vouchers or grants to get paint, etc. There are charities that may help you with this, or get your mates or family to help you out.

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CARPeTS AND FlOOR COVeRINGS

It’s always good to put down carpet, as it makes the house/flat more homely, it helps to keep it warm and it cuts down on noise. The best thing is to fit your carpet between doing the decorating and moving in furniture. It is easier than you think to lay carpet (yet again – get mates to help). Carpet does not have to cost a lot; you can get cheap carpet from high street stores as off-cuts, or even from eBay.

21

GeTTING IN THe DOOR

You’ve got the keys and you’re moving in! The first time you use the keys and enter your home it will feel proper weird, but don’t get carried

away – you’ve got work to do before you can party!

yOU NeeD TO:

Check that the gas, electric and water are all turned on. Now you

need to read the gas, electric and water meters and write the numbers down (you will need them when you register with the gas and electric companies (utility suppliers), so

you only pay for what you use and not the old tenant’s bills.

(If you don’t know who supplies your gas or electricity ask your landlord – the housing officer should be able to answer any questions you may have about this.)

Make sure you have light bulbs for every room, preferably energy-efficient ones, they are really cheap and will save you cash – and it’s not a lot of fun sitting in the dark the first night in your new home.

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Turn the hot water on (this may be your gas boiler or, if electric, an immersion heater) – you’re going to need hot water to help clean your home and to enjoy your first bath or shower in your own place. Make sure the water is turned on (ie, water comes out of all the taps) before you do this.

Make sure you have all the supplies you need, such as food, milk, tea and coffee, toothpaste and all that stuff.

And – don’t forget to bring bog roll. No, seriously, don’t forget the bog roll!

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Now you’ve moved in

You’ve got a bed in the bedroom, your toothbrush in the bathroom and a kettle in the kitchen –

so now you’re ready to deal with other stuff.

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RePAIRS

In an ideal world all your repairs should have been done and everything should have been sorted by now. That said, there is probably still some stuff left to do and workmen may visit to do repairs. Your housing officer, or somebody from your HA repair section, should let you know about this, or you may get a card through your door telling you when they are going to turn up.

It can be really hard to get repairs done, so make sure you’re

at home when you should be to let them in. It’s a good idea to stay in while the work is being done and, if you’re nervous, ask a friend to stay with you. And remember – check their ID before you let them in. Let your landlord know at once if any repairs need doing after you’ve moved in.

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SO, HeRe’S THe SCORe FOR THe DAy:

Set a reminder on your phone and on your calendar.

Get up early enough to get dressed and sorted before they turn up – set your alarm! Remember they can come out as early as 8am (in the morning).

Remember to check they have ID.

Try to make sure that you have enough in your cupboard to offer them a tea or coffee (a biscuit or two won’t go amiss either). Be friendly and show them respect.

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Use this time to point out any other repairs that may need doing, but remember the workmen may not be able to do them at the same time.

Stay in while the repair is being done. Not because they are going to rip you off but because you are legally

responsible for your home and you should be there (and they

may need to explain stuff to you about what they have just fixed).

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WHO NeeDS TO KNOW?

OK, you know where you live; the landlord and the removal man know where you live, but what about everyone else?

There are some people and organisations you will want to tell

and some you will have to tell.

If you are on benefit, you need to tell Jobcentre Plus or The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

If you’re at work, you need to tell your boss, and the taxman – Inland Revenue.

If you’re in education, you need to tell your school, college or training scheme provider.

The gas, electricity, water and phone companies will all

have to be told your new address.

If you owe money to anyone, credit cards, debit cards and mail order, let them know you have moved or you

could get into serious trouble.

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Tell your bank and building society, if you have one.

If you are involved with the Criminal Justice System (court, Youth Offending Team, probation service) you must let them know you have moved, or you could go to prison.

Are you involved with a social worker or other support agency? They also need to be told.

Now you’re living on your own you need to look after your health, so tell your doctor, dentist and the Family Planning Clinic too.

You must tell your council tax office where you live, as the housing office may not deal with this.

And – don’t forget to tell your good friends and family.

This is just a short list and there may be other people you think you need to tell. If you can think of anyone else, tell them too.

Now that you have your own home, you may need to change your dentist or doctor – check with them to see if they still cover you in the new area you’re living in.

Only tell the family and friends you want to have in your life – you don’t have to tell anyone you feel could bring trouble to your new home.

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IN yOUR NeIGHBOURHOOD

Moving into a new house can be a little scary, especially if it’s in a new area to you and you don’t know anyone, or where anything is

(buses, shops, etc).

You could be living here for quite a while, so you might as well make yourself comfy. Settling in is easier if you know your local community.

Start off with taking a walk around to check out where everything is – take a

friend if you like.

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Try to get to know your neighbours – ask them where the best shops are, and so on. Say hello to people you see regularly – you don’t have to be overly-friendly, just be polite.

You could visit your local community or youth centre. There is usually a notice board with information about anything interesting happening at the centre and

elsewhere in the neighbourhood.

Check out the local bus station and train station, pick up some timetables to help you get around.

Is there a local, trustworthy (and cheap) taxi firm? Get its number, save it in your phone and put it on your notice board.

You should locate the nearest safe-to-use public pay phone.

Find out the location of the offices for Housing and Social Work, Jobcentre Plus, Careers, CAB, Shelter and Porchlight in your area.

Check out your local shops and make sure you know what time they close.

Is there a local PayPoint, so you can get electricity and gas topped up?

A good way to get to know people is to volunteer somewhere, such as the community or youth centre; if you like animals, there are often animal shelters that need help, or maybe a charity shop.

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HAVING MATeS ROUND

Having a place of your own is a great thing, but in the first few weeks – until you get a routine together – you’re either going to get really bored, or you’re going to find that you’ve always got a house full. It’s good to have mates round, but you also need to have some time on your own to get stuff done.

And, as this is possibly the first time you have lived on your own, you need to get some stuff straight.

You need ground rules for your friends & family, and for yourself.

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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Keep the place tidy and make sure it is sorted before you have visitors. Your mates might not mind sitting in a room full of used underpants, dirty mugs and ashtrays, but close family, a partner, or social worker might not be so keen.

Try to make sure that you have tea, coffee and milk for when

your guests turn up.

Think about your neighbours. If you’re going to have a party let them know, and ask them if your music is too loud.

Don’t let your visitors take advantage by eating all your food, leaving rubbish lying about or making a mess, and don’t let them upset your neighbours.

Don’t let visitors overstay their welcome: make sure you know the bus and train times and the local taxi office so they have no excuse not to leave when you want them to.

Try to keep the noise down. Your neighbours might not like your music, they may even find it offensive. It helps to keep the speakers off the floor and have carpets and curtains.

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Parties – don’t have them midweek and don’t have them every week. This doesn’t mean you have to live like a saint, just don’t rip it out of people all of the time.

Drugs are a really big NO-NO. Don’t let drugs or drug pushers into your house – you could be prosecuted and lose your tenancy.

Tell your mates not to go hammering on your door or shouting your name at all hours: it’ll wind everyone up and could badly affect your tenancy.

HeRe ARe A FeW THINGS TO ReMeMBeR:

Your neighbours may have young children or they may come from a different culture – and you need to respect them if you want them to respect you.

A little respect goes a very long way.

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Some of your mates may try to move in and take over – they may try to deal drugs, store or sell stolen goods from your home. They may even start inviting people around that you don’t know – but you’re the boss and if you don’t like what they are doing, ask them to go. You need to stay in control.

It is your home and your tenancy that is at risk – don’t let them take over.

WeAlTH AND HeAlTH

If this is your first time living on your own you’re going to find this hard. It can be very difficult to keep on top of things, paying your bills, etc. If you feel you need help, ask your support worker, social worker, family or CAB for help on how to manage your money.

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A FeW qUICK TIPS:

Text, rather than call, people (it’s cheaper).

Get a notice board and list appointments on it (for instance,

when you have to pay bills or go to the job centre). You cannot afford to miss these things (you could get into trouble, or even have your benefit stopped, if you miss an appointment).

Keep your post safe. Don’t lose bills or important letters in piles of magazines and newspapers – always put them in the same place so you know where they are.

Don’t run up debts with credit cards, mail order catalogues or mobile phone contracts.

Stay away from loan sharks.

Remember – if you get in debt, get help.

You need to learn how to spend your money in the right way. This includes things such as sticking to a budget and doing your food shopping as soon as you get paid (otherwise you might blow your

cash before you’ve bought any food and starve until you get paid again).

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Cooking for one can be really cheap and great fun.

If you need to know about healthy eating, or how to cook, check out courses at your local community centre. When you get good at it, you can invite

your mates round for a meal.

Maybe a friend or someone you know can teach you to cook. Join the library or look in second-hand shops for cookery books and have fun experimenting in your kitchen.

SOMe COOKING TIPS:

Don’t buy lots of takeaways.

Don’t cook when you are off your face – it’s dangerous.

Don’t feed all your mates all of the time – ask them to chip in.

Do eat bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit and vegetables – they’re cheap, good for you and part of a healthy diet.

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IF THINGS GO WRONGYou might upset your neighbours (or they might upset you), it could be that you have no hot water, or your toilet is broken. Most problems are easy to sort out, but sometimes you’ll need help… you’re not on your own – there are people who can help you, such as your housing officer, support worker, your friends, your family and even the emergency services (but only in a crisis). Always get help if you’ve problems managing your rent or benefits. Advice is free and you may be able to get ‘floating support’ to sort things out.

When you move into a place for the first time, you may end up with a few problems.

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yOU AND THe lAW

yOUR OBlIGATIONS

Make sure your rent gets paid.*

Keep the noise down.*

No drug use.*

Put your rubbish out.*

Do the recycling – if there’s a scheme * where you live.

Stay in contact with your landlord.*

Stick to the housing agreement. *

yOUR lANDlORD’S OBlIGATIONS

Provide you with a tenancy * agreement.

Carry out certain repairs.*

Make sure your gas appliances * work properly.

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USeFUl CONTACTS

If you have a housing problem, here are details of organisations and websites you might find useful.

Money-saving tip: most libraries offer free internet access.

SHELTERShelter’s free housing advice helpline:

0808 800 4444

Calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks (Virgin, Orange, 3, T-mobile, Vodafone and O2). Lines are open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri and 8am-5pm Sat-Sun.

Online advice for young people:

shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights

HOUSING AND HOMeleSSNeSS

CENTREPOINTHousing for young homeless people.

0845 466 3400 centrepoint.org.uk

HOMELESS UKhomelessuk.org

There is a local site for London: homelesslondon.org

NATIONAL MISSING PERSONS HELPLINEConfidential advice & message home service.

Runaway helpline:

0808 800 7070

Message home helpline:

0800 700 740 missingpeople.org.uk

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FINDING A PlACe

RENTING WEBSITESThese have details of properties available to rent privately and houseshares: findaproperty.co.uk loot.com moveflat.com uk.easyroommate.com gumtree.com

CARe leAVeRS

CARELAWleavingcare.org

eDUCATION, TRAINING & eMPlOyMeNT

The following organisations may be able to help if you need advice about education, training or employment:

CATCH 22catch-22.org.uk

DIRECTGOVdirect.gov.uk/en/employment

THE PRINCE’S TRUSTprinces-trust.org.uk

FAIRBRIDGEfairbridge.org.uk

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DRUGS AND AlCOHOl

FRANK

0800 77 66 00 talktofrank.com

YOUNG ADDACTIONaddaction.org.uk

DOMeSTIC VIOleNCe

CHILDLINE

0800 11 11 childline.org.uk

MANKIND

01823 334 244 mankind.org.uk

WOMEN’S AIDFreephone 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline:

0808 2000 247 womensaid.org.uk

ADVICe ON OTHeR ISSUeS AND GeNeRAl ADVICe

CITIzENS ADVICEadviceguide.org.uk

DIRECTGOVdirect.gov.uk

COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICEcommunitylegaladvice.org.uk

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CONNExIONS

0808 001 3219 connexions-direct.com

DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONSGives details about various benefits you might be eligible for.

dwp.gov.uk/directgov

MIND

0845 766 0163 mind.org.uk

NATIONAL DEBTLINE

0808 808 4000 nationaldebtline.co.uk

SAMARITANS

08457 90 90 90 samaritans.org

THESITEthesite.org

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yOUR CONTACTS

Keep a note here of local numbers you will need…

Doctor:

Dentist:

Housing officer:

Local Connexions:

Jobcentre Plus:

Family Planning Clinic:

Local taxi office:

Local post office:

Local CAB:

Local Shelter office:

Bank or building society:

Local chemist:

Social/support worker:

Gas supplier:

Electricity supplier:

Water supplier:

Phone supplier:

Landlord:

Housing repairs:

Local police station:

Enjoy!

We hope this leaflet helps you to move in and set up house and we wish you all the best in your new home.

Illustrations by Richard Merrick richardmerrick.co.ukfreshfields.com

supported by

Registered charity in England and Wales (263710) and in Scotland (SC002327)shelter.org.uk

Registered charity in England and Wales (1119756)thephoenixcentre.org