Private Renting
What you will need to rent a private property
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.
See the downloadable documents section below for some top tips
for renting a property.
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.
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. 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.
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 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.
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
House condition complaints
Allerdale Borough Council may be able to assist you if you are
worried about the condition of your private
rented property. Allerdale Borough Council uses the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
to assess housing conditions.