If you really need to move and you can’t stay where you are, then renting privately may be the most readily available and quickest way of finding a new home.
If you are already renting privately then you should have a returnable deposit at your current home. If you are on a low income, you may be able to ask family or friends to loan you the deposit for the new property until the old deposit is returned. Your existing landlord or agency may have other available properties, which means they could transfer your current deposit to another property within their portfolio.
Assistance with deposit or rent in advance
People who receive benefits and cannot afford to pay rent in advance or a rental deposit can apply for a loan from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
The DWP will consider applications and depending on your circumstances may arrange a loan. Repayment is usually by a fixed amount deducted from weekly benefit payments. Find out more and apply at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Letstart
Our Letstart Scheme can help you to rent privately if you are faced with being homeless and means you can choose your new home. The biggest problem with arranging to move to your next home is often that it is very difficult to afford the deposit to rent privately, that’s where Letstart can help.
We provide the bond or a deposit worth one months rent to help you move into your new home. We also provide incentives and a range of services to landlords to encourage them to join the scheme and have already helped lots of people move into some great properties. To join Letstart your housing prevention and advice officer will need to recommend you for the scheme, ask them for more information. Remember, we cannot pay the deposit after you have moved into a property.
Local Housing Allowance (housing benefit)
If you rent privately and are on a low income you may be able to claim local housing allowance to help you pay your rent.
In April 2008 a new way of calculating housing benefit was introduced called Local Housing Allowance (LHA) which is based on the area you live and the number of bedrooms you require.
To find out more or apply for local housing allowance contact Hounslow Revenue Services on 020 8583 4242 or call into one of the council offices.
Intermediate Rent
Intermediate rent is a scheme to help provide quality homes at a reduced rent. Properties are rented at a percentage of full market value for example a one bedroom flat in the private sector with rental value of £600 per month; the intermediate rented level could be between 60% and 90% of this value, depending on the property type. This would give a rent of £360 to £540 per month.
Intermediate rented homes are available if you are on moderate income and live/work in the borough. There are also a number of intermediate rented homes available for key worker employees. For more information visit the low cost home ownership. See link on the right of this page.
Prevention & Housing Advice Teamhome
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow TW3 4DN
Telephone: 020 8583 3842
Lines are open weekdays between 9am and 5pm, or come to the Civic Centre and ask to see an adviser, Monday to Friday, 8.45am - 4pm, (Wednesday 1 - 4pm). The service is ‘first-come first-served’. You may have to wait to be seen at busy times.