Domestic abuse and changes to your tenancy

Your safety comes first

Click here to exit to the BBC website

We understand that experiencing domestic abuse can be frightening, upsetting and overwhelming. You may be worried about your safety, your home, or what will happen next.

Please know that you are not alone. Support is available, and we will do our best to work with you in a way that feels safe and supportive.

We can help you understand your housing options, make referrals to specialist support services, and work with other agencies where appropriate. We will always try to put your safety and wellbeing at the centre of any discussions.

Getting help and support

There are specialist organisations that can help you understand your options and support you at a pace that feels right for you.

Norwich City Council Housing Advice

Help with housing options, homelessness advice and safety planning.

NIDAS (Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service)

Confidential advice, safety planning and emotional support.

  • Telephone: 0300 561 0555
  • Text: 07860 063464
  • Website: NIDAS Norfolk

Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS)

Free legal advice about domestic abuse and court options.

Shelter

Independent housing advice and guidance.

Information about government-funded legal support.

If you are in immediate danger

Call 999 and ask for the police.

The police can take urgent action to help protect you and anyone else who may be at risk.

Understanding your tenancy

If your tenancy is a joint tenancy, both tenants have the same legal rights to live in the property.
This means that:

  • We cannot remove one person from the tenancy without a legal reason or court order.
  • We cannot decide who should stay in the property.
  • We must act fairly and impartially towards both tenants.


We understand that this can feel upsetting and unfair, particularly when domestic abuse has taken place.

Unfortunately, housing law limits what the Council can do. We cannot change the legal rights of either tenant unless there is a legal process or court order that allows us to do so.

We also cannot advise a joint tenant to end the tenancy unless suitable alternative housing arrangements are being made at the same time. Doing so could put that person's housing at risk.

Staying in your home safely

If you want to remain in your home or prevent the person causing harm from returning, legal protection through the courts is often the safest and most effective option.
This may include:

  • An Occupation Order, which can decide who can live in the home.
  • An order preventing someone from returning to the property.
  • Other legal protections depending on your circumstances.

In simple terms

A court can make a legal decision about who is allowed to live in the property. This decision can then be enforced to help keep you safe.

We strongly encourage anyone experiencing domestic abuse to seek independent legal advice as early as possible. This can help you understand your options and reduce the risk of unintentionally losing your tenancy.

How the police can help

The police can take action to protect you while longer-term arrangements are put in place.
This may include:

  • Issuing a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) following an incident.
  • Requiring the person causing harm to leave the home.
  • Applying to the court for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO).
  • Preventing contact or stopping someone from returning to the property.

In simple terms

These measures can help create a safe period of time for you to get advice, consider your options and decide on the next steps that are right for you.

What the housing service can do

We can:

  • Explain how your tenancy works.
  • Help you understand your housing options.
  • Work alongside domestic abuse support services and other professionals.
  • Explore rehousing options where this is appropriate and safe.
  • Help make referrals to specialist support services.

If you want to stay in your home, we may also be able to consider additional security measures or schemes that could help you feel safer, depending on your circumstances.

What we cannot do

We want to be open and honest about the limits of our role.
We cannot:

  • Provide legal advice.
  • Decide disputes between joint tenants.
  • Remove someone's legal rights to a tenancy without a court order.

Where legal decisions are needed, we will help you access the right organisations and services for support.

Reassurance and support

We recognise that taking any action in this situation can feel difficult.
You may be worried about your safety, your housing situation, your finances, or what comes next. These feelings are completely understandable.

Domestic abuse support services can help you:

  • Understand your options clearly.
  • Access legal and housing support.
  • Make informed decisions at your own pace.
  • Stay as safe as possible during this time.

If you would like help contacting any of these services, discussing your housing options, or being referred for additional support, please let us know.

We will do everything we reasonably can to support you safely, sensitively and without judgement.

If a notice to quit has been given because of domestic abuse or pressure

If Norwich City Council receives a Notice to Quit, we will carefully consider the circumstances surrounding it.

We recognise that people experiencing domestic abuse may sometimes be pressured, frightened or coerced into making decisions they would not otherwise make.

If we know, or have reason to believe, that domestic abuse may be involved and the notice appears unusual or unexpected, a Housing Officer may contact you using a safe and appropriate method.

The purpose of this contact is to check that the notice was given freely and without pressure.

If we have concerns, we will:

  • Talk through the situation with you safely.
  • Help you access specialist domestic abuse support.
  • Discuss available housing and legal options.
  • Prioritise your safety and wellbeing when considering next steps.

Our aim is to ensure that anyone experiencing domestic abuse can receive support and understand their options before important housing decisions are made.

 

Feedback button