Rehousing for Safety Reasons: Your Rights in Wales

If you’re renting in Wales and feel unsafe in your current home—whether due to domestic abuse, harassment, threats, or another serious risk—you might wonder if you can get help with rehousing. Understanding your rights and the formal process under Welsh law is crucial to acting swiftly and protecting yourself and your household.

When Can You Request Rehousing for Safety?

In Wales, councils have legal duties to help individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those facing danger in their home. The key legislation guiding this is the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.¹ You may be entitled to rehousing or other support if you are:

• At risk of domestic abuse or violence
• Facing serious harassment, hate crime, or threats
• Vulnerable due to mental health, disability, or another factor, and your accommodation is making you unsafe
• Otherwise unable to remain safely in your current property

If your safety is at immediate risk, contact the police or relevant emergency services first. For rehousing, your main point of contact is your local authority housing department.

How the Rehousing Process Works in Wales

Councils in Wales must assess your situation and determine what help they can offer. They will decide if you are:

• Homeless or threatened with homelessness (within 56 days)
• Eligible for assistance (immigration/residency status may apply)
• In priority need (includes those vulnerable due to fleeing violence or abuse)

If you meet these criteria, the council must provide temporary accommodation immediately if you’re in priority need and have nowhere safe to stay.

Applying for Help

You must let your local council’s housing department know about your situation. This process is called making a ‘homelessness application’.

• Find your local council housing team using the UK Government council finder.
• Clearly explain why your current accommodation is unsafe, providing evidence if possible (e.g., police reports, medical letters).
• Ask for an urgent homelessness assessment due to risk to your safety.

Official Form: Homelessness Application (Wales)

While there is no single national ‘application form’, each Welsh local authority provides its own online or PDF form to begin a homelessness application. Look for “Homelessness Application” or "Duty to Help You – Assessment Form" on your council’s website. For example, Cardiff Council provides their Homelessness Assessment form.

• When to use: If you believe you are at risk and need urgent rehousing for safety reasons.
• How it works: Submit details about your situation, risk factors, and why you cannot safely remain.
• Practical example: If you are experiencing threats from a partner, you would use this form to outline the abuse and request emergency help.

Your Rights During the Assessment

Councils must make an assessment and issue a written decision (called a ‘homelessness decision’). If refused, you can request a review—details will be in the council’s letter.

The Residential Property Tribunal for Wales deals with certain disputes about housing, but homelessness decisions are reviewed internally by the council and then can be appealed to the County Court.

What Help Can You Get?

Depending on their duty, councils can:

• Provide emergency/temporary accommodation (for example, a hostel, refuge, or interim home)
• Help find longer-term social or private rented housing
• Offer advice, support with applications, or referrals to specialist services (e.g., for domestic abuse, disability rights)

If you are in a standard private tenancy and need to leave quickly, inform your council. Don’t abandon your tenancy unless told it is safe to do so—leaving without notice can affect your rights and homelessness duties.

Action Steps: Getting Rehoused for Safety

• Contact your local council housing team immediately if you feel unsafe.
• Submit a homelessness application using their official form or online system.
• If you require extra help (due to disability or mental health), ask for support and reasonable adjustments.
• Gather and keep any evidence—such as police reports or letters from healthcare professionals.
• If refused, use your right to a review. Details on how to request are in your council’s decision letter.

This process can often move quickly if safety is at immediate risk, but support varies by individual need and council resources.

FAQs About Rehousing for Safety in Wales

1. Can I get emergency accommodation tonight if I'm not safe? Yes, if you are in immediate danger, contact your local council's out-of-hours emergency housing number. If you are in priority need (for example, escaping domestic abuse), they must provide safe temporary accommodation right away. Always call 999 for immediate threats.
2. What if my homelessness application is refused? You have the right to request a written review of the council’s decision—follow instructions in your decision letter and act quickly as there are deadlines for reviews.
3. Do I need to wait until I’m actually homeless to apply? No, you can apply if you’re 'threatened with homelessness'—which means you may lose your home or have to leave within 56 days due to safety risks.
4. Can I bring my children or dependents with me if I'm rehoused? Yes, councils must consider household size, including children or dependents, when arranging emergency or longer-term accommodation.
5. Does a mental health condition or disability affect my rights? Yes—if your condition makes you more vulnerable, this can place you in the 'priority need' group, which gives you stronger rights to accommodation under Welsh law.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Welsh Government: Homelessness Help and Advice – Official guidance on your rights and options
• Shelter Cymru: Help with Homelessness – Expert, free advice
• Residential Property Tribunal for Wales – For certain legal disputes in residential housing
• Find your local authority in Wales – Contact details for local housing teams

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1. Housing (Wales) Act 2014
2. Equality Act 2010

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