Although it may not always be possible, maintaining your home while in prison can make a big difference to you once you are released.

This is particularly important if you are sentenced to a very short time in prison or on remand, as you may be released back into the community straight from court.

On the other hand, it may not always be reasonable to keep your home, especially if you are serving a long sentence.

If you have no means of paying for your housing costs while in prison, keeping your home can get you in serious debt and your best option could be giving up your home.

Whether it is reasonable to keep your home or not will depend on the type of housing that you have and the length of your imprisonment. There are special considerations for tenants and owner-occupiers, as well as persons on remand and sentenced prisoners.

Keeping your home while on remand

If you are on remand awaiting trial, it is usually best that you try holding onto your home. The court may decide to release you or you may serve only a short sentence, so having a home to get back to is very important. More

Keeping your home while sentenced

Depending on the length of your sentence and the type of housing that you have, you may want to try holding onto your home. However, you may not always be able to get help with your rent or mortgage for the entire duration of your sentence. More

When should I give up my home?

In certain circumstances, keeping your home may not be the best option for you. You may need to consider giving up your home if, for instance, your arrears are mounting up, you expect to stay in prison for a long period of time, or you cannot return to your home due to a conflict. More

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