Private renting advice

A very good range of houses and flats are available for rent from private landlords.

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to claim benefits that will help you pay your rent.

To find homes that may be available to rent privately, try checking:

• Estate agents
• Local newspapers 
• Letting agents in telephone directories like the Yellow Pages or Thomson Local Directory 
• Private adverts in local shop windows or online
• Family and friends

Key questions to ask before you rent

• How much is the rent?
• How much is the council tax?
• What does the rent include?
• Is the rent weekly, monthly or every 4 weeks?
• Does the rent include the gas, electricity and water?
• Is furniture included?
• What condition is the building in?

Rights and responsibilities

If you become a private tenant in rented property you will have certain rights and responsibilities.

For advice see Private renting: Your rights and responsibilities - GOV.UK

Struggling to pay your rent

It is important that you keep up to date with your rent payments. If you are struggling to pay your rent get some advice as soon as you can.

You may be eligible for financial support to help with your rent payments. Find out more here. 

If you are threatened with eviction

You can find more details about private rented evictions at GOV.UK.

Private renting for tenants: evictions in England: Rules your landlord must follow - GOV.UK

If you're being threatened with eviction you may also want to have a look at Shelter's eviction advice.