If you have been living in privately owned accommodation - Long Term Housing Rights - Long term housing options - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Practical Help

Long term housing options

Long Term Housing Rights

If you have been living in privately owned accommodation

If you own a property which is in your sole name and which becomes unsafe for you to remain in you can seek help in finding safe temporary accommodation. Please see section on Leaving Home for further information.

You are unlikely to obtain permanent local authority or housing association accommodation and will probably need to sell your property in order to rent or buy alternative accommodation. You will need to seek further advice on the possibility of obtaining housing benefit to cover some of your mortgage payments.

You may also wish to ask your mortgage company if they are willing to suspend payment liability whilst you are living in temporary accommodation.
If you are a joint home owner and it is no longer safe for you to remain in your home you may need to go into temporary accommodation whilst a number of options are considered. Please refer to the section on Leaving Home for further Information on temporary accommodation options.

You may need to take steps leading to the sale of the property and have to use the proceeds of your share towards securing alternative accommodation. If this means that you would not be able to afford alternative accommodation suitable for your needs and those of your children it is possible that you may still be considered for permanent housing by a local authority if you make a homeless application.

If you are concerned that taking steps to obtain your share of your home's value could lead to violence or threats of violence from your (ex) partner you may also be considered for permanent housing by a local authority if you make a homeless application.
If you are married to a sole home owner (and have registered your occupation rights with the Land Registry Office) you may wish to take legal action to try to secure a financial settlement in order to afford alternative accommodation.

You may need to find safe temporary accommodation before you explore this option. Please refer to Leaving Home section for further information on temporary accommodation options.

If you are concerned that exercising your Matrimonial Home Rights could lead to violence or threats of violence by your (ex) husband you may wish to consider making a homeless application to a local authority. Please see separate section below on Homeless Applications.

Additional Information

Homeless Applications
Additional points for professionals on housing options available

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Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum