Phone an adviser
If you have a housing problem, call our expert housing advice helpline
08000 495 495
Mediation or counselling support might help you deal with your housing problem.
A mediator is someone who is independent and not involved in the dispute. They can help you to come to an agreement. They could be a member of your local community or someone with a professional qualification.
Use the Civil Mediation Council search tool to find a mediation service in your local area, or contact national organisations such as UK Mediation or National Family Mediation.
If you are a young person living at home, but you have been asked to leave and you don’t want to, mediation may help. If you are under 18 social services or the councils’ housing department can get in touch with your parents or carers to arrange a mediation meeting. Mediation can help you to come to a mutually satisfactory solution to enable you to stay at, or return home.
Please be aware that if you are at risk of violence or abuse at home mediation will probably not be appropriate. If the council are insisting that you go to mediation but you do not want to then get advice immediately.
Couples experiencing the breakdown of a relationship can approach organisations such as Relate to help with relationship difficulties. They can work with the couple to try and resolve any difficulties. Mediation can help couples that are splitting up come to an amicable arrangement about the family home and care of children.
If you are having a dispute with a neighbour it is a good idea to seek mediation to resolve problems before they get worse.
Many councils and housing associations have access to mediation services for their tenants. If you rent privately, or own your home, you can find a mediator independently (see above).
Housing law is very complex. If you are not familiar with housing issues, resolving a housing problem can be a daunting prospect. As well as your housing situation, there may be other issues that need resolving, for example if:
You might want to get counselling to help you cope better with your situation. There are specialist organisations that can arrange counselling for you. Or you can ask your doctor about counselling services. Alternatively, there are a number of specialist agencies that help people with particular needs.
If you have a housing problem, call our expert housing advice helpline
08000 495 495
If you have a non-urgent problem and would like to speak to an adviser
email us
This page was last updated on: December 2, 2020
Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.