Private rented accommodation

Advice on renting a property in the private sector.

Renting from a private landlord is usually more flexible than other forms of housing. You can find somewhere to live quickly and rent for a short period of time.

There will be a contract between you (the tenant) and the landlord. This will outline your rights and responsibilities.

For more information on private rented accommodation, please visit the Shelter website (external link) or the GOV.UK website (external link).

Paying for private rented accommodation 

It is important to make sure you know:

  • how much your rent is
  • what it includes
  • what bills you are responsible for
  • how much you have to pay as deposit at the beginning of your tenancy

If you have found somewhere to live through a letting agent, there may be other charges. You should always check what these are.

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help towards your rent. For more details, please visit our Housing Benefit webpage. 

You can use the calculator tool on the Entitled To website (external link) to check whether you may be eligible for any benefits.