About one in three people in who live with their partner in UK believe that they could end up homeless if their relationship ended, according to a recent research from the charitable organization Shelter.
The research discovered that 30 percent of people in England who live with a partner and pay rent or mortgage claimed that if their relationship were to break down, they could lose a roof above their head and have nowhere to go. Shelter calculated that if the findings were projected across England, this would mean that 4.9 million people are trapped in relationships because of their fear of homelessness.
Because of the alarming volume, the charity urged anyone who is struggling to keep up with the expensive cost of housing, or going through a breakup and worried about not being able to find a home, to get support as soon as possible.
As an example, Shelter cited a case it handled that include a woman whose husband left without any warning, leaving more than five months of unpaid rent for her to shoulder. Because she cannot afford to pay, the woman and her two children were left homeless and the council had to move them into emergency bed and breakfast accomodation.
Shelter's Helpline Adviser Nadeem Khan shared some tips for people who are going through a breakup and are worried about homelessness. First, she advised to be clear about your budget. If you were to handle the rent or mortgage payment alone, how much can you afford to be spend on housing? Your options will depend on how much money you make, your existing debts and your qualifications to apply for housing benefit.
Secondly, she suggested to keep control of costs. Get advice on how to save money as you move out. If you agreed to a fixed-term rental contract, you will be obligated to pay the rent even if you leave.
Khan also said to consider legal advice most especially if you have a mortgage or are considering divorce. Contact a local lawyer for legal counseling.