Our Tenancy Ready service is designed to support you as you move into your new home and help you get off to the best possible start.
It begins by helping you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, how to look after your home, and how to live independently, including managing your budget.
Moving home costs and how you can budget for these
Here's useful information and advice to help you prepare for the costs involved in running a home, or the support you may need - regardless of who you are renting from.
Hiring a van or removals
Recycle, you may want to advertise your unwanted items on social media for sale or free for collection, donate to charity or take these to the tip
Most landlords will ask for between 1 week up to 1 months rent in advance, even if your income is welfare benefits
If you are in receipt of welfare benefits you may be eligible to apply for a Housing Payment for help with removal costs and rent in advance.
If you currently rent your home, you'll need to give notice to your landlord that you're moving out, this applies to Redditch Borough Council tenants also
Will your carpets fit
Will your children need to change school
If your moving into Council accommodation, you will be invited to an accompanied viewing of the property and staff will meet you there. It's usual at this appointment for you to be invited to sign the tenancy agreement and receive the keys the same day.
You will have some key responsibilities as a tenant. These responsibilities are vital to understand because they mean that you and everyone else can enjoy safe, peaceful, and sustainable tenancies.
Your responsibilities will include:
To pay the rent on time
To not cause a nuisance or anti-social behaviour
To not use the property for illegal activities
To keep the property in good condition
To report repairs to the landlord
To allow the landlord access in an emergency or with appropriate notice.
Whenever you are offered any tenancy, think about your own income and the costs of running your own home.
The main costs to think about when budgeting for your own home will be your rent, Council Tax, and utilities, as well as a TV license, insurance, furniture, not to mention food and other essentials.
You can use the handy budgeting tool from Citizens Advice, below, to estimate these costs.
You'll have to pay your rent. If you don’t pay your rent, you risk losing your home. Most landlords will require rent in advance and some a deposit also. Start saving now to be Tenancy Ready.
If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for help to pay for all or some your rent. This help is called Housing Benefit.
You can receive Housing Benefit up to the Local Housing Allowance, which is an amount of money set by the Government. The Local Housing Allowance may not cover all your rent. If it does not cover all of your rent, you will have to pay the rest. You can work out the minimum amount of rent you will have to pay by subtracting your Local Housing Allowance from your rent. If your rent is more than your Local Housing Allowance, you will have to pay the difference from your income including any other benefits.
For example:
If your Local Housing Allowance is up to £100 a week and your rent is £200 a week, you will have to budget to pay at least £100 rent a week.
The easiest way to pay your rent is via Direct Debit. Your Allocations Officers can help you to set a Direct Debit up when your offer of accommodation is confirmed.
If you've been offered accommodation by us, here's a full guide to your council rent including the help that's available if you are on a low income.
You'll have to pay your Council Tax, which is payable in addition to your rent and covers the cost of services from your local authorities, police, and fire and rescue services.
Please be aware that a full Council Tax bill is based on two adults living in the property with no discounts. Discounts might be available to you depending on your circumstances.
You'll have to pay for your gas, electric, and water.
When you move in, you should immediately read your gas and electricity meters and tell the current energy suppliers you are the new resident. You can find out who the current energy supplier is by using the Find My Supplier service.
If you've been offered accommodation by us, then before you move in your gas and electric accounts will have been referred to Tenants Save Money , who aim to find the cheapest deals. When you move in, it will be your choice whether you stay with the current supplier or find another.
You’ll also need to tell Severn Trent Water that you are the new resident. Severn Trent Water are the only water supplier.
What else might you need when you move into a new home? Will your home be furnished, or will you need furniture? If your new home will be a council or housing association property, it will be unfurnished. Where will you get furniture from, and how much will it cost? Can family or friends support you, or could you make use of Newstarts, a local community re-use social enterprise who supply furniture? Will you be responsible for any repairs?
Understanding your spending is even more vital when you run your own home.
Being in control of your spending will help you make better decisions, save money, prepare for emergencies, and get or stay out of debt – letting you stay focused on your longer-term financial goals.
You'll also be responsible for the maintenance and safety of your own home.
That includes the cost of repairing any damage caused to your property, even if you didn't cause the damage yourself. Your landlord is only responsible for routine maintenance.
For example, if a friend damages a door in your property, you will have to pay for the repairs.
Before coming to do repairs, your landlord should agree a time with you in advance, and you should be there at that time.
Here are some top tips:
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly. They could save your life!
Know your fire exits and meeting points in case of a fire or other emergency. Make sure everyone in your household knows.
Know where your gas and electric come into your home. If you are a council tenant, your Neighbourhood & Tenancy team will show you if required.
Know where your water stop tap is. It’s usually under the kitchen sink. If you have a leak, turn it off quickly.
Combat Stress (Armed services mental health support): 0800 138 1619
National Debt Line: 0808 808 4000
Our Other Support page lists local and national organisations that offer free, confidential, independent advice and/or support for different circumstances.
