Housing

Leaving Home Before 19

Family Housing Parents Abuse

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BIG IDEA

In BC, you can choose to leave home before they turn 19 but there could be consequences and practical complications.

Know Your Rights!

Your parents or guardians are legally responsible for your care until you are 19, unless you are married or you voluntarily withdraw from their care (choose to leave). This means if you run away or move into a friend’s house they may not have to support you anymore (though they still might choose to).

Hot Tip

You may be able to get social assistance if there have been reasonable efforts to have your parent or guardian financially support you

You are not breaking the law just by leaving home if you are under 19, and your parents are not necessarily allowed to forcibly bring you back. However, you may have a harder time getting support, including securing housing, getting permission for school programs, or accessing certain health services without help from an adult.

Potential consequences


Leaving without the consent of your parents before the age of 19 can have several implications:

  • Your parents could potentially call the police and the police may decide to return you to your parents or report your location to them.
  • Since leaving home may be considered “voluntary withdrawal from parental charge”, you may no longer be entitled to financial support from your parents.
  • However, if you have left family violence or the circumstances at home were intolerable, you may still be able to get financial support. 

Safety

If there is trouble at home or you are feeling unsafe, there are resources you can reach out to to help. Talk to your school counsellor or a trusted teacher or family member to see if they can provide support. 

There are also helplines just for kids and teens. Call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234. You do not need an area code. You can call at any time of the day or night and you do not have to give your name. You can also contact Kids Help Phone Text CONNECT to 686868 to access confidential support.

Get help

Every situation is different. Try contacting the Child and Youth Legal Centre to see if you qualify to get help from one of their lawyers.