Your parents or guardians have responsibility for you until you are 18.
Once you are 18, the law says you can leave home without your parents' or guardians' permission. Strictly speaking, if you're 16 or 17 and you want to leave home, you need your parents' official consent. However, if you leave home without it, you're unlikely to be made to go back home unless you are in danger.
Although you can't usually rent a home or claim benefits before the age of 18, there are exceptions. Your local council or a housing advisor will be able to tell you about housing support for under 18s. After you turn 18, you can rent your own house or flat and get a mortgage if you have enough money.
