[OU Student]

This should be something the council can advise you on.

As someone under 18, you're not liable for council tax.

[wibletg]

(Original post by willow<3)
Me and my friend are both in living situations that we are eager to get out of. The police have been involved in both situations and nothing has been done. We are only 15 and want to move out after we have left school. We already have been offered an apartment by a parent if we can afford it. We both have jobs and there is another girl who is interested in living with us as well which would help with money. We just Need some advice really on what things will cost. Rent will be 450 per month but what else will we need? We know what to pay for and costs of food etc we just need to know about average prices of electricity and water and gas and things like that.

Have a look at the Citizens Advice Bureau - they're usually pretty good with stuff like this

[adam321]

(Original post by willow<3)
Staying at home isn't an option.

Just go to the housing and say you're homeless they have to find you a bedsit or a hostel ect. you're parents need to sign a form and you will get £50 per week income support plus an extra £25 a week from ema if you live on you're own

[Delph123]

Lancashire Housing Advice Centre- http://www.homelessuk.org/details.asp?id=UK19705
Service offered
Specialist help in housing and debt. Advice surgery at Burnley County Court on Wednesday mornings. Outreach advice sessions at Nelson CAB.
Target group
Anyone who is homeless or has a housing related problem. Anyone with a debt or benefits problem.
Area served
Lancashire, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.



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[willow<3]

Okay thanks, we're not running away from this, and the police have done nothing for us, we just need the space. Thanks anyway we will look into it

[kratos90]

Go to your local Citizen's advice bureau, this is your best option, they may give you advice on costs, what help you can receive and even options that you may not have considered.

Someone beat me to it

[harrietx123x]

(Original post by willow<3)
Staying at home gave me 2 black eyes a broken ankle swollen face and a vein in my eye popped. Also my friend is in therapy due to her situation but Im not at liberty to say what it is as it wouldn't be fair to her.

Moving out will be difficult but staying at home doesn't sound too fun. HOWEVER you need to try and speak to an advisor / somebody who can help you. It's impossible to do this on your own. There will be people to help - try charities, there are plenty for the welfare of children. I hope you're ok, message me if you want someone to talk to.

[Scatach]

I had a friend who moved out at sixteen (through lack of choice, his parents split up and he had nowhere to go) and he has coped well enough. His flatmate and him share the bills, but he found it impossible to stay on at school and had to start working full-time.

Living independently is going to be difficult, but for some it's the only solution to a tough situation.

[OU Student]

You may get benefits to help you.

[boba]

In my house of 5 we put about £40 each a month and this covers gas electric and water, although the water doesn't actually come out monthly we find it easier. so that split between 3 instead of 5 would be about £67 a month. We also pay £8 a month each for a package which is internet TV and a phone with calls included during the weekend and after a certain time during the week. that would be about £13 if it was paid between 3 but obviously is not a complete necessity, you can get cheaper internet packages that don't include tv or a landline phone if you want the internet but don't want to pay for the other things. I spend about £40 a month on a main food shop then about £5 a week on things like bread/milk/fresh vegetables. Does your rent include any kind of insurance? not sure how much that would cost since ours does.

If you can get your parents to sign something to say you can't live with them you will be eligible to claim some benefits to help you out. you will probably be able to get housing benefit and some jsa if you work less than 16 hours a week if they do this. - This would make it a lot easier for you to stay in school rather than having to work full time to live.

edit: according to another poster you don't have to pay council tax

[DeadGirlsDance]

(Original post by willow<3)
We are both in difficult situations at home. School hasn't helped at all neither has the police. I don't want to move out this young but my dad has a tendency to get violent when he is drunk which he is a lot and over the weekend I got quite badly injured due to this. The police did nothing I just need to get away and living on our own will help especially as my friends parent has offered his flat and we have his support.

It sounds like you should definitely move out. It will be hard financially but I think you already know that and it can definitely be done. I know someone who also moved out at 16 and she coped well and didn't struggle financially.
I'm not really surprised that the Police did nothing. Even when something really serious has happened they don't usually deal with it and are too scared.

[EffieFlowers]

(Original post by TheCurlyHairedDude)
Stay at home. I have to share a room with my sister, and argue with my mum everyday. Your situation may be bad, but moving out will make it worse. You'll have no spending money, how will your career get off the line? How will you save?

You think having to share a bed room with a sister and arguing with your mum is as bad as it gets for some people? Don't you realise that some people have it a hell of a lot worse than that?

[TheCurlyHairedDude]

(Original post by EffieFlowers)
You think having to share a bed room with a sister and arguing with your mum is as bad as it gets for some people? Don't you realise that some people have it a hell of a lot worse than that?

To be honest, I do realise that. However a lot of situations are directly linked to personality. I won't say any more.