Types of home
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Types of accommodation Another word for home is accommodation. |
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Bed and breakfast
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Council homes
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Rented accommodation
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Buy your own house
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Council and housing association homes
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There is a shortage of accommodation You may qualify for council or housing association accommodation. But many, many people are looking for a home and you may have to wait a long time. |
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Council homes The local authority (City Council) owns council homes in your area. |
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Housing associations do not trade for profit Housing associations are run like businesses but they do not make a profit. Housing associations use any money they make to repair existing homes and to help build new ones. |
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The Council works in partnership with housing associations You can't usually apply directly to housing associations. You must add your name to the Council's housing list first. |
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The Homebid service allows you to choose your own home You choose your council property through a special service called 'Homebid'. The Southampton City Council Homebid service allows you to apply for rented council or housing association properties. The Council advertises properties every fortnight in the Homebid magazine. You then choose which of these homes to apply for. |
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Private landlords
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It is difficult to find somewhere to live It can be difficult to find a place to live in Southampton, especially if you have a low income. Private landlords usually rent their property at a market rent. Their right to increase the rent depends on the type of tenancy. |
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Get a tenancy agreement Make sure you get a tenancy agreement and read it carefully before signing it. |
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A deposit covers damage to property A private landlord usually asks for a deposit. This is to pay for any damage you do to the property. It can also cover unpaid rent. |
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Check your tenancy agreement carefully Make sure you get an inventory that lists all the furniture in the property and states what condition it is in. Make sure that the tenancy agreement states:
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Get tenancy deposit protection Your landlord must put the deposit in a special scheme - a tenancy deposit protection scheme. There are three different schemes. The landlord must tell you which scheme they are using within 14 days of signing the tenancy agreement. If the landlord does not tell you, you can take the landlord to court. |
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Southampton City Council can give you advice Southampton City Council can give general housing advice. It also has a service called the Home Seekers Letting Service. This service helps people who want to find private rented accommodation. They can also help if your landlord is threatening to evict you. |
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They may also be able to help to pay a deposit bond In some cases they can help to pay a deposit bond. |
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Call Housing Advice, Southampton on 023 8083 2254 For more information contact: Telephone: 023 8083 2254 |
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Call the Neighbourhood Advice Centre on 023 8033 9206 Neighbourhood Advice Centre |
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