Housing · England
Choosing your home
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This guide is for adults in England.
You can get support to think about where you want to live.
Think about what matters to you.
This includes people, places and activities you enjoy.
You might live alone, with other people or with family.
Different homes offer different support.
Supported living means having a suitable home and support for your needs.
Ask what help is available during the day and night.
Ask for help to understand the agreement for your home.
In supported living, your home agreement and care agreement should be separate.
Ask how much the home and support will cost.
Ask what help you may get to pay.
Visit possible homes with someone you choose.
Think about privacy, access and the people you might live with.
Ask the council to help plan your support.
Agree who to contact if the move or support goes wrong.
What you can do next
Tell the council what you want from your home.
Ask someone you trust to help compare the options.
Ask about housing choices Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS: supported living services Web page
How a suitable home and individual support can work together.
- NHS: housing options Web page
Different ways of arranging housing and support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Choosing where and how to live
Explore housing choices, support arrangements and the questions to ask before moving.
Adults · England · Housing and support
Start with your life
Think about the people, places and activities you want nearby. You may prefer living alone, with chosen housemates or with family. Discuss privacy, relationships, visitors, pets, transport and sensory needs. Include space for equipment and overnight support where needed. A supporter or advocate can help you compare what matters.
Explore different arrangements
Options may include your existing home with support, an ordinary rented home, supported living, Shared Lives or a care home. Supported living combines a suitable home with individually arranged help. These arrangements differ in independence, staffing and legal rights. Ask adult social care and the council housing team about realistic local options.
Separate the home from the care
In supported living, accommodation and personal care should have separate legal agreements. Ask who the landlord is, whether you will have a tenancy or licence, and who provides support. Ask what happens to your home if the care provider changes. A care home has a different contractual arrangement.
Understand agreements and costs
Request an accessible explanation of rent, service charges, bills, deposits, notice and repairs before agreeing. Ask which charges benefits may cover and which you must pay yourself. Care charges need a separate explanation. Get independent housing or legal advice about unclear terms; a particular home or free support cannot be guaranteed.
Look at everyday support
Visit with someone you choose. Ask how staff support communication, meals, medication, personal care, emergencies and getting out. Check whether overnight support is awake, sleeping or on call. Meet possible housemates and discuss compatibility. Ask how you can make a complaint or change support that is not working.
Plan the move together
Ask for a care needs assessment or review alongside housing discussions. Agree who will arrange funding, equipment, practical moving help and any gradual visits. Keep familiar routines and important relationships in the plan. Set a review after moving, with a clear contact if the home or support does not meet your needs.
Words you could use
“I would like to explore housing that fits my life. Please explain my accommodation rights, care arrangements and costs separately.”
More useful links
- NHS: supported living services Web page
How a suitable home and individual support can work together.
- NHS: housing options Web page
Different ways of arranging housing and support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 27 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: supported living services Web page
How a suitable home and individual support can work together.
- NHS: housing options Web page
Different ways of arranging housing and support.
- CQC: housing with care guidance PDF
The distinction between accommodation agreements and personal care in supported living.
- SCIE: identifying housing preferences and needs Web page
Planning housing around the lives and preferences of autistic people and people with a learning disability.