Finding temporary housing
Thursday 1 January 2004
Hotels
When you think of hotels, you probably think of swish places with marbled entrance halls and porters, but not all hotels are like this.
Budget hotels are becoming very popular, especially in places like London, where accommodation is in high demand. Budget hotels are reasonably priced and will be quite happy to accommodate people for extended stays.
At least one meal a day is usually included, and your room may even be cleaned for you.
B&Bs
With B&Bs - short for bed and breakfast - you'll be among short-term guests, and there will be a morning meal included. B&B rooms are usually very small, so if you have a lot of stuff, this may not be good option for you.
Unlike hotels, B&Bs don't really like to have guests hang around during the day and you may find that there are set times when you are not allowed to be on the premises.
Some, especially those used by local councils as emergency and temporary accommodation when there is no alternative can be very difficult environments for young people to live in. This type of accommodation is generally not recommended for young people, especially for people leaving care, except in an absolute emergency.
Bedsits
If you need to save a little before you move into a flat or house, but don't want the restrictions of a B&B or a hotel, then a bedsit could be an option.
Bedsits tend to be available for relatively short-term lets and can be quite cheap, ideal if you have a small income or need to save up for a deposit to rent a flat. Bedsits are not for you if you like plenty of space - they're just one room with an area to sleep and usually very basic cooking facilities. You'll have to share a bathroom with others, and there may be a communal living room, but this is rare.
Most bedsits will be let under a tenancy agreement and are often quite 'secure' as a result. But the tenant might be given responsibilities such as a fixed term of residency, where the tenant could be charged a penalty if they move before agreed.
Your bedsit should have its own door key to keep all your possessions safe.
Hostels
If you're moving to a new town and haven't sorted out anywhere to live, then why not try a youth hostel?
They're not just for backpackers staying for one night only, and can accommodate for up to six nights, thought this may vary between hostels; always check. Youth hostels usually have facilities for washing and cooking, and can provide three meals a day.
You may need to book in advance, and some hostel managers ask that residents help with some of the daily chores such as helping to cook some meals or washing up. If staying at a hostel run by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), you'll need to be a YHA member. Membership costs start at £7.
To find out more about temporary housing and things like staying safe in a hostel, check out our list of recommended links.
