Finding a home to rent
A fifth of all homes in Allerdale are rented from Housing
Associations (who are now known as Registered Providers) and a
further tenth from private landlords. This information will help
you decide where to go if you want to rent a home. See the
downloadable documents section below for some top tips for renting
a property.
Renting from a private landlord
Nearly all of Allerdale's privately rented housing is owned by
small landlords, who generally advertise vacancies in the local
press. Some estate agents also maintain lists of privately rented
accommodation and it is always worthwhile looking at the
advertisement postcard displays in the shops in the area where you
want to live.
What you will need to rent a private property
Most private landlords ask for a deposit before they will grant
a tenancy.
Private tenancies
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.
Unfurnished private properties are usually let on what is known
as an assured shorthold 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.
Paying for a private rented property - 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 expensive.
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.
If you are single and under 25 years of age, housing benefit
will only cover rent up to the cost of shared accommodation in the
area.
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.
Ending a shorthold tenancy
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.
Council housing
Allerdale has no Council housing. All housing provided with help
from public funds is provided by Housing Associations(Registered
Providers). See below for more information.
Renting from a Housing Association
Housing Associations (Registered Providers) have been building
and providing homes for many years. To make sure that rents are
kept to an affordable level, they receive financial help from both
the Government and Councils. Find out more about renting from Housing Associations.
What to do if you are homeless
The Council has a legal duty to help and assist homeless
people.
Not every homeless person has a right to be offered a new home.
Assistance can consist of advice, help finding a private tenancy or
a nomination to a Housing Association. Only certain vulnerable
households are entitled to receive preferential treatment in the
allocation of housing owned by Housing Associations. These include
families with children, people with disabilities, elderly
households or people made homeless by natural disasters.
For more information on homelessness,
contact Allerdale Housing Services on 01900 702570.