Private Renting
Most private landlords ask for a deposit before
they will grant a tenancy. This is to act as an insurance against
non-payment of rent or damage to their property. You should always
check with the landlord before going to see a property how much
deposit is required and on what terms. If you are vulnerable you
may be able to get help from the DIGS Deposit Guarantee
Scheme:
Deposit Guarantee
Scheme
Unit 7 Tangier Building
Greggs Lane
Whitehaven
Cumbria
CA28 7UH
Telephone: (01946) 694166
An information leaflet may also be requested from
Allerdale Housing
Services.
You may need references from previous
addresses and from your employer if you are working. Again, you
should check with the landlord what is required before going to see
a property.
You should ask your landlord for a written copy
of your tenancy agreement and, if you have had to pay a deposit, a
receipt for the money you have paid. It is worth agreeing with your
landlord the extent of any damage to the property before you move
in to avoid problems later recovering your deposit.
Unfurnished private properties are let on what
is known as an assured tenancy. This means that you are secure in
the property, as long as you don't break any of the tenancy rules
laid down in your tenancy agreement, for a minimum period of six
months.
You need to agree with the landlord how long a
shorthold tenancy will last. It can last for a set period (known as
a 'fixed term') or be left open ended. An assured shorthold tenancy
does not give you the right to have your tenancy extended after the
original period has ended. It is well worth asking your landlord
how long he is planning to let the property, especially if you want
to avoid having to move on again in the future.
If you are planning to rent a private property, it is worth
checking that you can afford to pay the rent. In places where
demand for privately rented properties is high, such as Keswick and
Cockermouth, rents are quite high. Don't forget that you will also
have to pay the Council Tax and bills such as electricity and
gas.
You may be able to get housing benefit help with paying your
rent; before you take on a tenancy and claim housing benefit, you
can ask Allerdale Borough Council for a pre-tenancy determination.
This will give you the rent figure which will be used to work out
your housing benefit. However, the pre-tenancy determination does
not guarantee that you will get housing benefit or tell you the
amount you will get. You should remember that your housing benefit
can be reduced for a number of reasons. Examples include the rent
being charged being above normal market rents and the property
being too big for your needs.
If you don't pay your rent, your landlord can seek a Court
Order to evict you from your home. If you are more than two months
or eight weeks in rent arrears. In most cases the Courts cannot
refuse to grant the landlord an Eviction Order, so you should at
all times make sure your rent is kept up to date.
You can get a claim form for housing benefit and pre-tenancy
determination form from any Council office or by calling
01900 702650.
If you think your rent is too high, you can in the first six
months of your tenancy ask the Rent Assessment Committee to decide
what your rent should be. You can contact The Rent Service on
01900 600700.
Your landlord can ask you to leave at any time after six
months, providing any fixed term you agreed has ended. He must give
you two months notice in writing that he wants you to leave.
Your landlord can apply to the County Court for a Court Order
ending the tenancy at any time for certain reasons laid down in
law. These include rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and damage
to the property.
Your landlord cannot evict you without a possession order from
the County Court. If you have problems with your landlord trying to
force you out of your home, please contact Allerdale Housing
Services on 01900 702570