Domestic Abuse and Housing Rights

Everyone has a right to a safe home to live in.  When you are escaping domestic abuse it can be frightening and you may worry about where you (and your children) are going to live and whether you are going to be safe.  This page gives general guidance.  for any issues please contact your council or Shelter Cymru for further specialist advice.

Know your housing rights

If you have left your home or feel you need to move out because of domestic abuse but you have nowhere to go, you can get help from your local council’s homelessness department.  CarmDAS can assist you to contact them if you feel you would like support.

You do not need to be sleeping on the street to get help from the council. Even if you have accommodation that you can legally occupy, the council should still consider you homeless if you can’t live there because of a risk of abuse.

If you live in Carmarthen Carmarthenshire County Council should be contacted on 01554 899389 during office hours (8:45am - 5pm, Monday - Thursday. Friday 8:45am - 4:30pm) outside of office hours call Delta Wellbeing on 0300 333 2222.

The council should  consider you homeless if:

  • you have no accommodation that you have a right to occupy
  • you have a right to occupy accommodation (for example, because you have a joint tenancy) but you cannot return there because it is likely that you, or anyone else you live with (e.g. one of your children) will be subjected to abuse.
  • If you are in short-term accommodation (eg staying with a friend or relative, or staying in a refuge) because you have left your home as a result of abuse or threats of abuse you should be considered homeless

Domestic abuse is abuse from another person who is, or has been:

  • your spouse or civil partner your intimate partner, regardless of gender
  • a family member, including your parents, grandparents or someone who has had parental responsibility for you
  • someone who has agreed to marry you, or enter into a civil partnership with you (whether or not that has happened) 
  • another member of your household (e.g. a carer, or a friend that you normally live with).

 

You do not need to have actually suffered violence to be considered homeless. If there have been threats of abuse that are likely to be carried out, the council should help you. Abuse includes physical violence but also threatening or intimidating behavior. Abuse could include: psychological abuse financial abuse emotional abuse sexual abuse

Making a Homelessness Application

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness in 56 days, you should make an application to your local council. The council should give you free information and advice and if you are eligible for further help, they will do an assessment.  Find more information on making a homeless application here.  Alternatively Please contact CarmDAS for support to do this on 012637 238410