Housing advice: private renting

Shelter’s website has lots of information and resources for private tenants and people looking for a home through a private landlord or letting agent including advice guides and letter templates. View here.

Scenario 1 – Living and working in a city can be expensive. Rents are usually high in relation to earnings and if you are a recently qualified architectural professional starting a new job as well as perhaps moving to a different area it can be really tough both emotionally as well as financially. Shelter provides a good guide to what you need to do and pay for if you’re looking for a privately rented home. Before you rush into anything though remember: make sure that you are going to be able to pay the rent. Even if you’ve never done it in your life it’s never to late to sit down and draw up a budget. View the property before you hand over any money and ask for a written tenancy agreement and read it before you sign.

Scenario 2 – Coronavirus has taught us all that however much you plan for the future you never know what’s around the corner. Loss or reduction of income, a joint tenant leaving or being served a s21 eviction notice are all examples of the kinds of issues that people approach us for help with. These situations are incredibly worrying and stressful and can leave you feeling powerless which is why it is important to obtain specialist advice so that you know your rights as a tenant and can make informed decisions on the basis of knowing the options available to you. The legal framework can be complicated but again Shelter has plenty of good quality information including your rights as a tenant.

Scenario 3 – People making contact with us sometimes tell us that they are being “threatened with eviction”. Your rights will depend on the type of tenancy that you have and if you’re not sure you can work this out using Shelter’s Tenancy Rights Checker tool. If you are in this situation it’s important to act quickly. You can contact our Welfare Team and if you are eligible we can make a referral to our partners Shelter Helpline Plus Service. A Shelter adviser may then be able to help negotiate with landlord, prepare written submissions for the court, help you apply to suspend/postpone a possession order and/or warrant. If eviction cannot be avoided they are also able to provide advice on rehousing options and remote assistance with accessing new accommodation. Support would always be based on the best specialist housing advice, what you wanted to happen and the resources available to you.

If you need housing support and advice contact our welfare team today: ABS helpline 020 3918 8588 or email help@absnet.org.uk.