Finding a Private Rented Place

This looks at what to do to find privately rented accommodation.

What types of places are there?

Private rented accommodation includes flats and houses, a room in a house or flat shared with other people, and bedsits.

Where to look

Because of the shortage of places to rent, they are often let very quickly. Even in areas with lots of private rented housing, finding a rented place can be difficult.

To try to find somewhere:

Ask family, friends and work colleagues - lots of lettings are made through word of mouth.
Look in shop windows and noticeboards (such as at a community centre).
Look in daily and weekly newspapers and magazines and local newspapers. Get them as soon as they are published and then immediately spend time ringing up places you are interested in. You can also put an advert in a paper giving details of the kind of property you want to rent.
Go to an advice centre or your local council - some have lodgings registers, lists of accommodation agencies and lists of landlords with accommodation to let.
Use an accommodation agency. They have properties to let and can make finding a rented home easier. But you will probably have to pay for this service.

What you need

Almost all landlords want tenants to provide money 'up front'. You will probably need the following before you move in:

money for a deposit (usually the same as one month's rent)
money to pay rent in advance. This is often one month's rent but landlords can lawfully ask for any amount. If you are on income support or income-based job seeker's allowance the Benefits Agency may help with this.
references from a previous landlord, your employer if you have one and your bank.
some landlords may ask you to pay an unreturnable amount of money known as 'key money'. Get advice before paying this.

What type of place?

Think about the kind of place you can afford and are prepared to accept. Make a list of the areas you want to live in. Consider whether you would like: sharing with other people, central heating, a garden, a flat on an estate or above shops, a place near public transport, schools and shops. However, the more requirements you have, the more difficult it may be to find somewhere.

Ask questions about the place over the phone so you can decide whether it is worth viewing. Talk to the other tenants, if possible. Look carefully when you view the place. Are the heating, lighting and plumbing working properly? Is the property secure? Is there any disrepair?

The tenancy agreement

Tenancy agreements can be written or verbal. Written tenancy agreements usually contain details about the property, the amount of rent, the length of the tenancy and the rights and obligations of you and your landlord.

Before you sign an agreement check:

the type of tenancy you have. This determines the security and protection from eviction you have
if the rent includes paying for gas, electricity, water rates, council tax or are these extras?
are there any other charges?
how long is the tenancy and does that length of time suit you?
for furnished properties, is there an accurate inventory listing all the contents?

Further information

This is only a very basic introduction to finding private rented accommodation. This is just one option if you are looking for somewhere to live. For further information on all your housing options go to www.shelternet.org.uk. You can also get Shelter's free booklet 'Finding a place to live' from your local Shelter housing aid centre or by ringing Shelterline on 0808 800 4444 (24 hour freephone).

Published August 2002.

This document was provided by Shelter. www.shelternet.org.uk