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If you have nowhere safe to stay tonight, or you're worried you could lose your accommodation soon, tell us and the University as soon as you can.

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You don't need to wait until you're actually without somewhere to live. There may be different options depending on what's happened, whether you've been asked to leave by a landlord, can't return to your family home, have a gap between accommodation contracts or something unexpected has changed. Our Advice Team and University services can help you work out what support is available and what to do next.

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I have nowhere to stay tonight – who should I contact?

If you need somewhere to stay urgently, there are a few places to contact.

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Speak to the University. The University can help you look at what immediate welfare and accommodation support might be available. Explain clearly that you don't have somewhere safe to stay and when you need accommodation from.

Contact our Advice Team. We can help you understand your housing situation, look at your options and connect you with relevant University and external support.

Contact Exeter City Council. If you're homeless or at risk of homelessness, the Council's Housing Advice team can assess your circumstances and may be able to help with emergency accommodation or other housing options.

If you're on campus and need urgent welfare or safety support outside normal University hours, Estate Patrol is available 24/7 on 01392 723 999.

If you're in immediate danger, call 999.

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What support might the University be able to offer?

The right support will depend on what's happening, but there are several University services that may be useful.

Accommodation support

The University's Accommodation team can provide information about University accommodation and current accommodation options. They may be able to provide up to 4 nights of emergency accommodation in exceptional circumstances, however, you may be charged for this.

If you need somewhere for a particular period, for example, because there's a gap between contracts or you can't return home during a vacation, it's worth asking what options are currently available.

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Financial support

If money is part of the reason you're at risk of losing your accommodation, tell us. You might be struggling with rent, a deposit, moving costs or simply not having enough money available to secure somewhere else.

The University has financial support for eligible students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties, including the Success for All Fund. Our Advice Team can also help you look at your finances and understand what other support might be available.

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Support if you can't return to your family home

If you're estranged from your family, care experienced or a care leaver, additional support is available through Exeter Cares.

Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, this can include support around accommodation and staying at University outside the usual academic year.

You can also read our article on support if you're estranged from your family.

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Support with your studies

Housing problems can make studying much harder. If what's happening is affecting your attendance, assessments or ability to engage with your course, tell your department as early as you can. There may be academic support or processes available depending on your circumstances.

Our Advice Team can help you understand your options and any University processes that might be relevant.

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What if I'm worried I'll lose my accommodation soon?

You don't have to wait until you're actually homeless before asking for support. Start by talking to us about what's happening. For example, you might:

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have received notice from your landlord

be struggling to afford your rent

have been told you need to leave your family home

know your accommodation is ending without having somewhere else arranged

need to leave because your current accommodation doesn't feel safe

be worried that a relationship or housemate situation means you can't stay

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The earlier we know what's happening, the more time there is to look at your options. You can also contact the University Accommodation team if you need help exploring accommodation options.

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If you're likely to become homeless within the next 56 days, you can also contact your local council. Councils have responsibilities to help eligible people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, so you don't need to wait until you've actually lost your accommodation. Exeter City Council offers further advice about homelessness.

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My landlord has told me to leave – what should I do?

Don't assume you have to leave immediately. If you have an assured periodic tenancy, your landlord normally needs a valid legal reason to end your tenancy and must follow the correct process. Receiving a notice isn't the same as being evicted.

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If you receive an eviction notice, send it to our Advice Team as soon as you can. We can help you understand what it means and what your next steps might be.

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Your landlord generally can't simply change the locks, physically remove you or force you out without following the appropriate legal process. If you've already been locked out or think you've been illegally evicted, contact Guild Advice and Exeter City Council as soon as possible.

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If your landlord is threatening you, being violent or you're in immediate danger, call 999. Read GOV.UK guidance on eviction in England.

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What if I'm a lodger?

Different rules can apply if you live in the same home as your landlord and share spaces such as a kitchen or bathroom. Lodgers generally have fewer protections from eviction than students with an assured periodic tenancy.

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If you've been asked to leave, talk to us before assuming what your rights are. We can help you understand what type of agreement you have and what notice you should receive.

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What if my family has asked me to leave?

Tell us. Losing your family home can affect your accommodation, finances, wellbeing and studies all at once, and you may need support with more than simply finding a room.

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If you're estranged from your family, or your relationship with them has broken down, our Advice Team can help you look at what this might mean for your finances and studies as well as your immediate accommodation.

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You may also be eligible for additional University support through Exeter Cares, including accommodation-related support.

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What if I don't have anywhere to live over the summer?

If you know there'll be a gap between your current accommodation ending and your next accommodation starting, speak to the University and Guild Advice early. Depending on your circumstances, options could include:

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University summer accommodation

short-term private accommodation

a spare room in a student house

living with a resident landlord

taking over another student's room

additional support through Exeter Cares if you're eligible

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Check the University's current summer accommodation information. If you can't return to a family home, make that clear when you ask for support. Your situation isn't necessarily the same as someone who simply wants to remain in Exeter over the summer.

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What if I'm struggling with the cost of accommodation?

Talk to us before deciding that leaving University or giving up your accommodation is your only option. We can help you look at your budget, Student Finance and other funding and check whether there are sources of support you haven't considered.

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The University's Success for All Fund may also be able to help eligible students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties. Find out about University financial support.

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‍When should I contact the Council?

University and Guild support doesn't replace the Council's homelessness service. If you have nowhere safe to stay, or you're likely to become homeless, it's worth contacting the Council as well as speaking to us and the University.

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The Council has legal responsibilities around homelessness that the Guild and University don't, including assessing whether it has a duty to help prevent or relieve your homelessness and, in some circumstances, providing emergency accommodation.

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How can the Guild help?

You don't need to work out which service you need before speaking to us. If you're worried about where you're going to live, tell us what's happening. We can help you:

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