Renting privately is more flexible than other forms of housing. You can move into a place quickly and rent for a short period.  However, you do not have as much security when you're renting privately as you would if you owned your home or lived in a social tenancy.  Your landlord can ask you to leave when your tenancy expires.

Overview of renting privately

Renting privately is more flexible than other forms of housing. You can move into a place quickly and rent for a short period. Renting privately can be expensive and availability can vary widely. Your rights as a tenant depend on your type of tenancy. More

Finding a place to live

There are many different types of housing available to rent privately. You might be looking to rent a self-contained flat or house, or just a room in shared accommodation. More

Things to check

There are several things to check when deciding whether or not to rent a property.  It's important that you view a property and inspect it thoroughly before agreeing to rent it.  You can download a checklist of things to consider here, and use it to make notes on any properties you look at. More

Paying for your accommodation

When you rent privately, you will usually have to pay a deposit and rent in advance. You may be able to get help to pay for your deposit or rent in advance. If you have a controlled tenancy, there are limits on the amount of rent your landlord can charge. More

Before you move in

Once you've found a suitable place to rent, you will need to agree terms with your landlord, sign a tenancy agreement and pay your deposit and rent in advance. More