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Rented Accommodation

Renting can be a good option for some people. There are lots of different properties that you can rent. Some people rent a bedroom and share the other rooms in a house. You might be able to rent a flat or a house to yourself.

When you rent you will sign an agreement with the landlord called a tenancy. This tells you what the rules are, and how much you will have to pay to live there. It will also tell you what the landlord has to do to keep the property in good condition. Some people might be able to get help to pay their rent. This is called Housing Benefit, and is paid by the local District or Borough Council. You can apply for Housing benefit by filling out a form.You need to make sure that you can afford the rent before signing a tenancy.

There are lots of ways to go about renting a property. If you have an identified housing need, you may be able to get help from your local council. Different areas have different arrangements, but you will usually need to apply to the Housing Register. If you have a care manager or social worker they will be able to help you to do this.

Locality Housing Officers might also be able to help you. They are staff from Adult Services who work in the housing departments of the local councils to help find the right housing for people. You can learn more about their role here.

The Private Rental Market can offer a wide range of choice and you may able to find a property more quickly. You can search for properties using a website like this one:

There are rules that Private Landlords have to obey. But, it is very important that you understand what is written in the tenancy agreement. It is also very important that you have enough money to pay the rent and other bills. Some people might find it useful to talk to a family member or friend about these issues, other people might be able to use an advocate or contact Hampshire Citizen's Advice Bureau for advice.

When you are thinking about what sort of home you would like to live in, it is also important to think about what support you might need to live there safely.