Setting up tenancies

Support for landlords and tenants with the moving in process can help tenancies to start on the right foot and reduce the likelihood of problems developing. This can include assistance with obtaining furniture and other household items, or advice and guidance on matters such as budgeting and energy efficiency.
 
Chapter Seven of the Crisis Good Practice Guide has lots of information on setting up tenancies, ranging from legal agreements between tenants and landlords, inventories, furniture, reducing bills, grants and savings schemes.
 
Furniture re-use organisations help households in need access furniture, white goods and other household items at affordable prices. The Furniture Re-use Network is the national body which supports, assists and develops approximately 400 re-use organisations across the UK . These vary in size from small local charities to large social enterprises. Some are attached to housing associations, development trusts and councils for voluntary service. You can search for your local re-use organisation on the FRN website.
 
The CLG's National Youth Homelessness Scheme's website also has a useful section on furniture which includes a number of resources on low-cost furniture for people setting up home for the first time.
 
It's Your Move works across the country to develop training courses for people who want to live more independently - all delivered by frontline support workers. Their website provides a number of free resources, including a 'managing your tenancy' section, which offers advice on dealing with neighbours, rent arrears and what to do after you've secured your tenancy. There is also a section 'money menagement'.
 
Some Credit Unions provide insurance services alongside savings and loans. You can search for your local Credit Union on the Association of British Credit Unions Limited's 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.