Spending time away from your home

If you are a council tenant you are expected to occupy your house as your main and permanent home. If you need to go away from your home for a long period, you must let us know in writing.

If you are not living at your home and you have not informed us the council may begin legal action to evict you.

If you need to go away you must:

1. Tell your local housing office in writing that you need to go away
2. Or you can download an application form here (PDF, 40K)
3. Complete the form and send it back to us.
4. You will have to tell us:
   • how long you intend to be away, and the date you expect to return
   • your contact address and telephone number for where you will be staying
   • full details of arrangements you have made for others to look after your home whilst you are away.

Having someone look after your home

If you are going to be away for more than 3 months you should first get the council’s written permission to have someone look after your home.

While you are away you will remain responsible for making sure that all the rules in your tenancy agreement are followed, and you will have to continue to pay the rent. If you don’t, you may risk losing your home.

If you currently receive housing benefit, you will need to let the housing benefit section know if there is a change in your circumstance. They will advise you if this change will affect your benefit. For more information on notifying benefits see changes in circumstance during a claim.

The council does not normally expect tenants to be away from their property for more than six months.

Related services

Changes in circumstance during a housing benefit claim

Contact us & further information

For further information on the above, or any other issues you may have concerning your tenancy agreement, please contact your local housing office.