Move into a private rented home
Renting a home privately is the best option for most people.
Private accommodation is a home you rent from a landlord or letting agent. It’s not managed by the council.
If you rent privately you can:
- choose where you want to live
- chose the type of home you want to live in
- move into a home quickly
Work out what kind of property you want
You have more choice when renting privately. You can look for:
- a room in a shared house with others
- a flat or house where you live alone
- a room with a family or the owner (lodger)
Think about what is important to you such as being near transport or having outside space.
Work out the size of property suitable for your household.
If you’re going to claim benefits to help pay your rent then check the GOV.UK bedroom calculator. You can find out how many bedrooms are suitable for your household.
Check what you can afford
Working out how much you can afford to pay towards your rent will help you to search for the right property.
Rent is just one thing you’ll need to pay. There are usually many other charges as well. Money Helper has an online budget planner you can use.
You may be able to get help to pay your rent.
- Working age people can claim Universal Credit
- Pensioners can claim Housing Benefit
If you get benefits, you should check the highest amount you can receive for your rent. This called the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate. The amount you receive will depend on where you live.
If Universal Credit or Housing Benefit doesn’t cover your rent you can make a claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). A DHP is a single payment from us to help pay your rent. We’ll decide whether to give you a DHP based on your situation.
It’s illegal for landlords to refuse you a home because you’re on Universal Credit or housing benefit.
Decide which areas to look at
You can look for a property in any area you like. But you may find better and cheaper homes outside of London.
There are more likely to be properties available outside of London at or below the Local Housing Allowance rate for that area. You can check the Local Housing Allowance rate for other areas
If you move to another borough, you cannot stay on Redbridge's housing waiting list.
Search for a property
The quickest way to find a property is by searching online. Here are some useful websites:
All our libraries offer free computer and internet access. You can also use our free wifi there. Find your nearest library
You could visit local estate agents. You could also check listings in newspapers and magazines.
Arrange a viewing
Always view the property before you agree to rent it. You need to make sure it’s right for you.
Try and arrange a time to view the property quickly. There are likely to be other people interested in the same property.
When viewing a property take care of your safety. Let a friend or relative know where you are or take someone with you.
At a viewing you may want to ask:
- if the property comes furnished or unfurnished
- if you’re allowed to decorate
- if you’re allowed pets
- if there have been any problems with the property in the past
- what is included in the rent
If you decide that you would like to rent the property let the landlord or agent know.
Some landlords may ask you to pay a holding deposit before you sign the tenancy to reserve the property. You may lose a holding deposit if you later decide that you do not want to rent the property.
Signing the tenancy
Before you can sign the tenancy most landlords will ask you provide a deposit and some amount of rent in advance.
- Do not pay anything before checking the landlord or agent can rent the property
- Get a receipt for any payments you make
- Get all agreements in writing
- Do not pay banned fees
Your landlord must put your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme if you rent your home on an assured shorthold tenancy that started after 6 April 2007. See GOV.UK information on tenancy deposit protection.
You may need a rent guarantor. This is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you cannot.
You might also need a reference from your last landlord.
