Private Renting
Private rented accommodation means a flat or house that you rent from a private landlord who may be an individual or a company or agency.
One of the main differences with private rented flats or houses is that even if you are on full benefits, this may not guarantee you to get your full rent paid by Housing Benefit.
Estate Agents often have lists of private rented housing. You will be able to get an idea of the cost and accommodation available from these lists and by looking in the local papers. Do your research if you have time.
The County Council is working on a project to merge the existing partnership arrangements ran by the former District Councils in Easington, Sedgefield, Derwentside, Wear Valley and Chester-le-Street. The new scheme will run across all County Durham.
These changes will not affect landlords who are members of these schemes until the new scheme is in place. Meanwhile, existing members can still access their current benefits through their normal contact arrangements.
The new proposed County Wide Landlord Liaison Service will aim to encourage providing a satisfactory supply of good quality private rented accommodation, managed in a professional way which will contribute towards creating vibrant mixed communities within the County Durham Area. For more information and to get details of current properties available to let, contact Durham County Council.
Deposits
Most private landlords ask for a bond, a deposit usually equivalent to a month’s rent, as well as at least one month’s rent in advance. The bond is returnable unless there has been any damage to the property, furniture or goods listed in the inventory. Make sure you tell the landlord of any changes to the property at the start of the tenancy.
A new law should be coming into force soon which means that all private landlords will have to sign up to a tenancy deposit scheme as a condition of renting out their property. This will give tenants greater protection when it comes to getting their deposits returned. Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice to find out more about this.
If you need help with getting the money for a bond and you are aged 16-25 and on benefits or a low income then you could contact Centrepoint’s rent deposit guarantee scheme - tel. 0191 384 4033. If you are someone who has been in care at some time in your life you should also contact your local social services team who may be able to help you.
Rent
The rent will vary depending on where the property is, the type and size of it and whether it has furnishings.
If you’re claiming certain benefits or you’re on a low income then you will probably be able to claim Housing Benefit to help towards your housing costs - see the Housing Benefit section in this booklet.
Remember! Even if you do get help through Housing Benefit it is likely the amount you receive will be lower than the rent you have to pay and this means that you will have to make up the difference.
If you are under 25, then the Housing Benefit you can claim limits to the cost of a “single room” regardless of what your private landlord charges you for rent. This will probably be much less than the rent asked for. Again - you’ll have to make up the difference. If you have had involvement with Social Services in the past, check to see if you can get more Housing Benefit paid.
Tenancy Agreements
It’s always best to get a written agreement from your landlord which tells you how long your tenancy will last, how much rent and deposit you will have to pay as well as other important information.
Don’t sign anything before you have seen the property the landlord is letting and don’t sign anything before you have read through the tenancy agreement! If there’s anything in the agreement you don’t understand or that you’re worried about get advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter.
Top Tip! If your landlord hasn’t given you a tenancy agreement you may be someone who by law should receive a written statement on request which gives you basic information about the terms of your tenancy - get advice!
Rent and Deposits
If you pay a deposit make sure that you get a receipt for it!
Double check the deposit is refundable! Get advice if your landlord or lettings agent is intending to charge you an “administration fee”. Ask for a rent book and make sure that you always get a receipt from your landlord for the rent you pay. If you pay your rent weekly then you have a legal right to get a rent book!
If you are having any problems with paying your rent on time let your landlord know and try to sort it out. You can also contact Citizens Advice for help if you are having any problem with housing benefit payments, changes to your income, or you need help with budgeting.
Safety and Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for checking gas appliances each year - a Gas Safe Register engineer should do this- ask your landlord for written records of these checks!
If there is any disrepair in your home, contact your landlord immediately and ask how soon they will do the repair work.
If you are not happy with their reply, if you wait too long for them to do the work or if you feel the landlord is not keeping to the terms of the tenancy agreement ask the Citizens Advice Bureau. They may be able to give you legal advice or will help to get a council inspection done if the problems are a health and safety risk.
