Private rented accommodation

How to find a home to rent

You can look for private properties to rent:

online, on websites such as Rightmove or Zoopla
in the property pages of local newspapers
by visiting letting agencies
on noticeboards and adverts in local shops and cafés

What you need to consider

When looking for a new home you need to consider a number of factors, including:

how much you can afford to spend on rent
which area you want to live in
how many bedrooms you need

How much it will cost

If you find a home using a letting agent remember you will usually need to pay the first month's rent in advance, along with a deposit (up to 5 weeks' rent for properties with an annual rent below £50,000).

Financial help

You may be able to get a crisis loan to help you pay your rent in advance and in some circumstances we may be able to help. Please note that you will need to find the money to pay any fees, and certain checks will need to be carried out before we can provide any financial assistance. Any assistance provided is discretionary.