Renting a private property

What’s good and bad about renting from a private landlord.

Row of Victorian terraced houses with estate agents signs in front.
You can rent somewhere to live from a private landlord.
A landlord is someone who owns a house or flat and rents it out to people.
A private landlord means the landlord is not the council, or another social housing provider.
You have to pay the landlord money every month. This is called rent.
If you need support, you will have to arrange this separately.

What’s good about private renting:

You have more independence.
There are lots of homes to choose from.
You don’t need to have a social care assessment.
There isn’t a waiting list.
Any money you have left after paying your rent and bills is yours to spend how you want.

What’s bad about private renting:

It’s more expensive – your housing benefit may not cover your rent.
It’s not a home for life – you might have to move out when you don’t want to.
You have fewer rights than people living in social housing.
The housing may need to be adapted to meet your needs, for example if you use a wheelchair.
Some private landlords will not rent to people who are on benefits.

How do I get a private rental?

You can look for properties on websites like RightMove or Zoopla, or local letting agent websites.
You can also look in local newspapers.
If you like a property, contact the landlord or letting agent.
Always visit a property before deciding if you want to rent it.
You will need to apply and give them information about yourself and your finances.
Get advice from someone you trust before signing a tenancy agreement, as this is a legal contract.
Learn more:

Mencap Easy Read guide to housing

You can rent somewhere to live from a private landlord.

A landlord means anyone that owns a house or flat and rents it out to people. A landlord can be a person or an organisation.

A private landlord means it is not the council or another organisation that provides social housing.

Packing box containing mugs, books, a clock and a plant

What is renting?

When you rent somewhere, you pay money on a regular basis (usually once a month) in exchange for being allowed to live there. You do not own the place you are renting.

How long can I live there?

It varies! You could live there for just a year (or less!), or if you’re lucky you could stay for ten years or more. Most people move house about every three or four years.

Usually you’ll have to take it one year at a time. At the end of each year your landlord could offer to renew your tenancy for another year, or they could decide to end it, even if you haven’t done anything wrong.

They may also ask you to leave before the end of your tenancy if you don’t pay your rent, or you break the rules in your tenancy agreement. There is a legal process that must be followed to make you leave your home. This is called an eviction.

How much does private renting cost?

Private rentals usually cost a lot more than social housing. If you get housing benefit, it may not cover your rent. You need to check this before signing a tenancy agreement.

You will usually need to pay a deposit at the beginning of your tenancy. This is money to pay for any damage you do to the property, and to clean up any mess you leave when you move out. If you look after your home, you should get this money back when you move out.

What’s good:

good  independence

good  lots of places to choose from

good  open to more people than social housing

good  no waiting list

good  any money you have left after paying your rent and bills is yours to spend how you want

What’s bad:

bad  more expensive – housing benefit may not cover your rent

bad  have to move house more often, and you might have to move out when you don’t want to

bad  fewer rights as a tenant (someone renting a home)

bad  the housing may need to be adapted to meet your needs, for example if you use a wheelchair

bad  some private landlords will not rent to people who are on benefits

How do I get a private rental?

You can look for properties online, on websites like RightMove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket, or local letting agent websites. You can also look in local newspapers.

If you like a property, contact the landlord or letting agent. Always visit a property before deciding if you want to rent it. You will need to apply and give them information about yourself and your finances.

Make sure you have read and understood your tenancy agreement before you sign, as this is a legal contract. It can be a good idea to get someone you trust to read it through too.

Learn more