Fleeing domestic abuse, you hold clear rights to emergency and settled housing through the council. You do not have to stay in a dangerous home. And you need
On this page
- Key facts
- Does domestic abuse give me priority for rehousing?
- What does "homeless because of domestic abuse" mean?
- What should I do if I need to leave?
- Do I need a police report or court order?
- Keeping your new address confidential
- Disrepair in your new home
- When should I contact Support for Tenants?
- Sources
- Related articles
Fleeing domestic abuse, you hold clear rights to emergency and settled housing through the council. You do not have to stay in a dangerous home. And you need no court order or police involvement to get help. Here are your rights, and the fastest routes to safety.
Key facts
- Government figures show 42,640 households in England were owed a relief duty after being assessed as homeless in October to December 2025. Statutory homelessness in England, GOV.UK
- Another 33,630 households were owed a prevention duty after being assessed as at risk of homelessness in the same quarter. Statutory homelessness in England, GOV.UK
Does domestic abuse give me priority for rehousing?
Yes. Under the Housing Act 1996, as amended, a person made homeless by domestic abuse is in priority need, and the council must house you. Children are not required, though having them with you strengthens the application.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 went further: in England, anyone homeless through domestic abuse is automatically in priority need. No council can turn you from emergency housing for "lacking priority need" when abuse made you homeless.
What does "homeless because of domestic abuse" mean?
Sleeping on the street is not required. Homeless, in law, includes people who:
- Face violence if they return to, or stay in, the current home
- Cannot fairly be expected to stay, given the risk
So you can apply as homeless while still in the property. The council can assess you and provide emergency accommodation where staying is unsafe.
What should I do if I need to leave?
- Contact the council's homeless team straight away. Say you are fleeing domestic abuse. Most councils run a 24-hour line, and the duty officer must assess you.
- DASH risk assessment. The council may arrange a DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Violence) risk assessment to establish the risk you face. It shapes their response.
- Ask about a refuge. If you must leave now and the council cannot house you at once, refuges, safe houses for people fleeing abuse, can take you in immediately.
- Priority on the register. Many councils rank people fleeing abuse high on the housing register. Safe for now? Apply as soon as you can.
Do I need a police report or court order?
No. No council can demand a police report, a conviction or a court order before assessing you. Your own account, backed by evidence where you have it, is enough. Evidence can include:
- A letter from a domestic abuse support service
- Medical records showing injuries or treatment
- A letter from your doctor or health visitor
- A MARAC referral (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference)
- Your own account of what happened
Going to the police is not required. Many people choose not to, and councils know it.
Keeping your new address confidential
Fleeing an abusive partner, keeping the new address secret is critical. Tell the council and every service from the start: the address must not be shared. Clare's Law, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also lets authorities share an abuser's history to protect you.
Disrepair in your new home
Rehoused, in emergency accommodation, a refuge, temporary housing or a new social tenancy, with damp, mould or broken heating? The landlord still owes repair. Fleeing abuse shrinks none of your rights.
Placed somewhere in disrepair? Report it to the council in writing straight away.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
Support for Tenants helps with housing disrepair claims. If your home, the one you left or the one you moved to, carries disrepair the landlord has not fixed, call us on 0800 030 4669.
For domestic abuse support, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours).
No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Section 189, Housing Act 1996 (priority need) (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
- Housing help, domestic abuse
- Homeless or being evicted, what to do
- Temporary accommodation, your rights
- Priority need, homeless, what counts?
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
Related guides
Homeless or being evicted? What to do, step by step
If you are homeless or about to lose your home, your council may have a legal duty to help. Here is what the law says, what to do today, and the free services that can help you.
Read
Temporary accommodation: your rights, in plain English
If your council has put you in temporary accommodation, it has to be suitable. Families with children should not be in a B&B for more than 6 weeks. Here is what your rights are and who to ask for help.
Read
Overcrowding: your rights and what you can do
If your home is too small for your family, the law may class it as overcrowded. Here is what counts as overcrowding, what it means for a council move, and where to get help.
Read
Still stuck?
Call us free or start a claim online. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.