How does housing work?

Hi Ross mod. Thanks for replying and for the helpful links. I check them out now! Thanks.

Thank for posting. I'll check out your own post, might be helpful for me too.

Thank you for replying this was really helpful :) 

I'm going to assume you work or other wise have a steady income. The question of how you pay for a house if you don't is beyond my ken.

You begin by looking. Sites like zoopla and right move have rent sections you can search. A big thing you need to decide is will you be living alone. The really cheep housing often isn't. They often list the price of one room in a shared house so if you want a house / flat to your self make sure you set your search engine to pcm (per calendar month) not pppw (per person per week). You'll need a budget. Research the local council tax and utility prices in your area. Some websites will try to estimate the energy each house consumes. So you add up the monthly rent, council tax, and utility bills (gas electric water) and that's what the house / flat will cost you in real terms when you move out of your parents home. Also you will need a months rent up front.

When you find some places you can afford ring up the letting agent and ask to see it. Look at several even if you like the first. If you are satisfied just ring up the letting agent and sign the tenancy. Then you'll need to contact the council and utilities to tell them you live there. The letting agent will probably help you with this or can at least advise you.

You will then need to update the electoral register (through the council usually). Your driving licence (dvla) and car registration (dvla again) and car insurance with your new address.

Hi Jedi,

I've just posted about housing, 'cos i want a flat rather than my house. I suppose all parts of the Country run similar schemes not just where i am. Although the website says....... Over 55s extra care housing, when i read it wasn't exclusivly over 55s.  It included others who were vunerable

So look for your area extra care housing and see what it says

Hi Jedi,

If you're trying to get your own home to live in you might want to look at the government website for council housing - https://www.gov.uk/council-housing - which will explain how to apply to be housed by your local council. For renting privately, we also have some information about housing benefit, which can help you pay rent if you are unable to work, here on the NAS site - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/benefits-and-money/benefits/benefits-you-can-get/benefits-for-autistic-adults. Citizens Advice also has a lot of useful information - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ - on both social housing and housing benefits.

Hope this is of some help,
Ross - mod