Private Rented Accommodation
Private landlords offer a wide range of accommodation, often in areas that councils and housing associations cannot. They tend to offer properties on six monthly tenancies, which can be renewed if they are happy with the way you have managed your tenancy. You don't have the same security of tenure, but the shorter tenancies and higher mobility can work for people who need to move frequently. Rents can be higher than in social housing so if you need help with your rent, check out the Local Housing Allowance before you commit to a tenancy.
Given the limited number and availability of social housing, generally it is possible to find a private rented property more quickly than getting a property through Ideal Choice Homes.
The private rented sector provides you with more choice in selecting the type, size and location of property you would like.
Considering the private sector as an option may well be your best way of finding a suitable home.
The following websites can be useful when looking for private renting opportunities:
Right Move
Zoopla
Spare Room
Gumtree
Benefit entitlements are based on the amount of Local Housing Allowance that you are entitled to. Local Housing Allowance is calculated according to the number of bedrooms that you need and you may find the following information helpful as a guide to work out your bedroom entitlement.
You are entitled to one bedroom for:
- Every adult couple (married or unmarried)
- Any other adult aged 16 or over
- Any two children of the same sex aged under 16
- Any two children aged under 10
- Any other child
There are, however extra rules if you are:
- Aged 25 or over, single and do not live with any dependants
- Aged under 25, single and do not live with any dependants
- A couple and do not live with any dependants
- A care leaver aged under 22
- Severely disabled