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Shelter
How to rent from a private landlord or letting agent

Explains what you need to do and pay for if you're looking to rent from a private landlord or letting agent. (Content applies to England only.)

Which?
Renting a home: what you need to know

Explains the essential information about renting from a private landlord such as checking how much you can afford to rent, your tenancy agreement, right to rent checks, and more. 

Citizens Advice
Finding a home to rent

Information on renting privately owned accommodation through a letting agency, including regulation of letting agencies, what an agency can and cannot charge a fee for, and a checklist of points to ask before registering with an agency.

Age UK
Finding private rented accommodation (PDF)

This factsheet provides information about finding private rented accommodation. It includes information about letting agencies, what to consider when viewing the property and things to think through before signing a tenancy agreement.

The Property Ombudsman
Residential lettings - A-Z guidance and information

Overview of some of the key terms around residential lettings.

Shelter
Letting agent and tenancy fees

Information about what a letting agent can and can't charge you for when you rent a home. It also tells you what to do if you have be charged a fee that your landlord is not allowed to charge. 

Age UK
Council and housing association housing (PDF)

This factsheet gives information about applying for housing from local authorities and housing associations (‘social housing’). It explains how applications are assessed, how waiting lists are organised and how properties are allocated. It also explains what to do if you want to move to a different local authority area. Applies to England and Wales.

GOV.UK
Council housing tenancies

Describes the various types of tenancies you can get from council, how you can transfer and end a tenancy. Also provides links to other related topics, including the council’s repair and maintenance obligations, housing fraud and the right to buy your council home.

GOV.UK
Council and housing association evictions

Basic overview about the steps that your council or housing association landlord must take if they want to evict you, what happens at the court hearing and afterwards.

GOV.UK
Housing association homes

Housing associations offer similar types of housing as local councils – often to people on a low income or who need extra support. Find out how to apply for a housing association home.

Shelter
Complaints about letting agents

If you rent privately, you may deal with a letting agent, who looks after the tenancy on behalf of the landlord. If you are not happy with their services, you may want to make a complaint about them. Information on how to go about complaining about your letting agent. (Content applies to England only.)

Which?
How to complain about your letting agent

If you don't feel your letting agent has done their job properly, there are steps you can take to get help. Information about who you should contact.

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