YOUR HOME. YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR VOICE.
Starting out in housing can be confusing. Choose one of eight topics for practical steps and independent advice. This information is for England and is not a substitute for personal legal advice.
Practical guidance and trusted resources
First-Time Renting
Before paying anything, view the property if possible, check who the landlord or agent is, and request the total move-in and monthly costs in writing. Look at travel, bills, deposit, council tax and any guarantor requirements. Do not transfer money because somebody is pressuring you.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: Most new private assured tenancies in England are rolling assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026. Ask for written terms and check the landlord’s identity.
Council housing: Council housing usually involves an application and allocation rules; joining a register does not guarantee a property.
Housing association: Housing associations may let homes through council nominations or their own routes; ask how to apply and what tenancy is offered.
Shelter: private renting advice ↗
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Deposits & Moving Costs
Deposits and different housing arrangements
Most qualifying private tenancy deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme. Lodgers and some student accommodation arrangements do not have the same deposit protections. Confirm whether you are a tenant, lodger or student-halls resident before paying, and ask for written details of fees, deposit and rent.
Get a receipt and keep proof of every payment. Ask whether a payment is a holding deposit, tenancy deposit or rent. Check what happens if you do not take the property. Photograph the condition of the home and agree an inventory when moving in.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: For eligible private assured tenancies, landlords generally must protect tenancy deposits in an approved scheme and give prescribed information. Rules and permitted fees have limits; check the tenancy type.
Council housing: Council tenants may have different deposit or rent-in-advance arrangements; ask the council for its written policy.
Housing association: Housing associations may have their own rent-in-advance arrangements; ask for the full breakdown before agreeing.
GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection ↗
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Tenancy Rights & Rent
Renters’ Rights Act — who it covers
The reforms introduced on 1 May 2026 apply to many private tenancies in England. They do not automatically cover lodgers, student halls or social housing on the same terms. Check the legal status of your agreement before relying on general tenancy guidance.
Read the agreement and check the tenancy type, rent payment date, bills, repairs process, notice rules and how to report a problem. Ask questions in writing and keep a copy.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: From 1 May 2026 most private assured tenancies became rolling periodic tenancies; new section 21 no-fault eviction notices ended for these tenancies. A section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 could only be used if the landlord applied to court within its time limit, which ended on 31 July 2026 at the latest and earlier for some notices. Possession cases already in court can continue. Rent increases are normally limited to once per year with prescribed notice. Other occupancy arrangements can differ.
Council housing: Council tenants may have secure, introductory or other tenancies with different rules.
Housing association: Housing-association tenants may have assured, secure or other tenancy types; confirm yours before relying on advice.
GOV.UK: Renters’ Rights Act for tenants ↗
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Student Housing
Ask whether you will live in university halls, a private shared house or as a lodger: the legal position can be very different. Check summer rent, bills, guarantor liability, deposit terms and what happens if you leave your course.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: Private student houses can fall under private-renting rules, but some qualifying student lets have special possession arrangements. Do not assume all student accommodation follows the same rules.
Council housing: Council housing is not the usual student route, but individual circumstances and homelessness duties may still matter.
Housing association: Housing-association student accommodation may have special occupancy terms; check the agreement.
Citizens Advice: housing guidance ↗
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House Shares & Lodging
Find out whether you are a joint tenant, an individual room tenant or a lodger. Joint tenants may be responsible for the whole rent. Check who pays bills, whether the property needs an HMO licence and how disputes are handled.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: Private shared houses may have licensing and safety duties. A resident-landlord lodger usually has fewer protections than an assured tenant.
Council housing: Council shared accommodation arrangements vary; ask about your tenancy or licence status.
Housing association: Housing-association supported or shared accommodation may involve different tenancy or licence arrangements.
Shelter: renting a room ↗
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Homelessness Prevention
Contact the council’s homelessness team as soon as you may lose accommodation; you do not need to wait until you are sleeping rough. Tell them if you are under 18, pregnant, at risk of violence, or have health or support needs. Keep notice letters and important dates.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: If a private landlord gives notice, get independent advice promptly; do not assume a notice means you must leave immediately.
Council housing: If you are a council tenant facing eviction, contact an independent adviser and the council homelessness service.
Housing association: Housing-association tenants can also ask the council for homelessness help if at risk.
Shelter: homelessness help ↗
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Safety, Harassment & Repairs
Report hazards and harassment in writing, save evidence, and seek help if you feel unsafe. Call 999 in immediate danger. If you are under 18 and unsafe at home, tell children’s services or a trusted professional urgently.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: Private renters can ask the council to investigate serious hazards; rules about eviction and landlord access depend on occupancy status.
Council housing: Council landlords must respond to qualifying emergency hazards under Awaab’s Law; ask for a timetable and written record.
Housing association: Housing associations also have social-landlord safety duties; report hazards promptly and use complaints channels if unresolved.
GOV.UK: Awaab’s Law for social tenants ↗
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Independent Help & Next Steps
Write down the problem, important dates and what you need. Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice for independent housing guidance. For homelessness contact the local council; for landlord complaints check the correct route. This website does not collect sensitive case documents.
Different housing arrangements
Private renting: Private renters may need the council’s housing or environmental-health team, a letting-agent redress scheme or legal advice; the Housing Ombudsman is not the usual private-landlord route.
Council housing: Council landlord service complaints can potentially go to the Housing Ombudsman after the relevant complaint process.
Housing association: Housing-association complaints may also be eligible for Housing Ombudsman review.
Shelter: housing advice ↗
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