Finding a suitable property in the Private Rented Sector can be a difficult task, particularly for those in receipt of Housing Benefit as they are often discriminated against by landlords. The following resources provide some practical tips and advice on how tenants might go about finding a property.
Crisis has developed a short Word document offering practical tips on how to search for a property, how to approach landlords and things to look out for and ask when viewing a property. This
guide to finding somewhere to live can be downloaded and adapted by other service providers.
Chapter five ('Clients') of Crisis's good practice guide for deposit schemes includes information pre-tenancy workshops and supporting the search for properties.
Off the Streets into Work (OSW) have developed a resource entitled the
'Passport to Renting a Home' which provides essential information in plain English about the things you need to know if you are considering moving into your own privately rented flat. It also contains practical resources such as:
- A checklist of information that you might need as you prepare to make the transition.
- A set of questions you should ask a prospective landlord when you visit a potential new home.
- Links to websites with more detail about specific aspects of renting privately.
Broadway have developed a pre-tenancy training model called
'Its Your Move' and modules can be downloaded from their website, including this tenants handbook covering issues from preparing to move right through a tenancy. This can be downloaded for free from their website.
If you know of any further guidance or resources relating to supporting homeless people to move into the PRS, please email us at
private.renting@crisis.org.uk.