Community Section

See also

Other websites

  • Sheltered housing
    KNH manages 19 sheltered housing schemes throughout Kirklees. These properties are owned by the Council and provide individual and communal accommodation to people over the age of 60.

Contacts and Maps

Maps and travel information
Maps and Travel | Contact

Accommodation

Housing options - November 2010
housing.services@kirklees.gov.uk

Single and looking for somewhere to live?

This information gives some basic advice and information about finding private rented accommodation that is safe and affordable as well as hostels if your need is more urgent.

You may be looking for private rented accommodation for a number of reasons. For example, you may not be able to get a council home, or you may wish to live in a particular area or in a certain type of property.
top

Where to start?

The first thing is to decide what kind of accommodation you are looking for, the options are:
  • lodgings - your own room, sharing the rest of the house with your landlord. Sometimes meals are included.
  • house share - your own room but sharing the kitchen and bathroom with other residents.
  • bedsit - usually only the bathroom is shared.
  • house or flat - self-contained facilities. This is the most expensive option.
top

Where do I look?

There are several ways to find somewhere to rent. You can try:
  • lettings agents
  • local newspapers
  • notice boards in newsagents, supermarkets and local shops
  • friends, family and work colleagues - lots of places are let by word of mouth
  • the internet
  • The more places you look, the quicker you are likely to find somewhere.
top

What do I need to ask the landlord?

If you find somewhere you want to rent, you will need to ask the landlord:
  • if you have to provide a month's rent in advance, a deposit to cover damage, references and a rent guarantor
  • what kind of tenancy is being offered? (Self-contained accommodation is usually let as an assured shorthold tenancy - shared accommodation may be a licence agreement or an assured short-hold)
  • what is the rent charge, and whether it includes water charges, heating and lighting, TV licence and council tax.
  • if your tenancy will be for a fixed period of time and whether you will have a written agreement.
  • whether the landlord will increase the rent in the future.
top

Is it safe?

Your landlord must:
  • maintain the condition of the property and its facilities (contact the council's Private Sector Housing Unit on 01484 221398 or 01484 221399, if you have any concerns)
  • have gas appliances checked every year (ask to see a gas safety certificate)
  • make sure any furniture or furnishings provided meet the fire safety requirements (check the labels)
  • have a licence from the council for larger types of shared accommodation called 'houses in multiple occupation check with the council by telephoning 01484 221399.
top

Can I get help with my rent?

If you have a low income and low savings, you could get housing benefit to help you pay your rent. You might not get all of the rent your landlord charges, but you can find out how much housing benefit you can get before you take up a new tenancy. This can help you decide whether you can afford to pay the rent at any property you have been offered.
top

Can I get any other financial help?

Bond Bank

If you find a private rented home but you can't afford the deposit (or 'bond'), you may be able to get help from the Bond Bank. This is for childless people over 18 who are on benefits or on a low income and homeless or threatened with homelessness. It replaces the deposit and gives a written guarantee that if there is damage or rent owed at the end of the tenancy, the landlord can make a claim from the Bond Bank. The Bond Bank is run by CHAS Housing Aid.

Prevention Fund

This is a sum of money that the council can use to try and stop people becoming homeless. If you are young or are accepted as homeless and we have to find you temporary accommodation, the fund may be used to avoid this.

The Social Fund

To get help from the Social Fund you must be on benefits and you need to show why you need the money. A Community Care Grant is intended to help people live in the community and families to stay together. For example, it can help someone coming out of residential care to set up home. You do not have to pay the money back. If you receive Income Support or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance you must have received it for 26 continuous weeks or more to be eligible for a budgeting loan. A Budgeting Loan can be used to pay advance rent or buy important items of furniture that you need. If you receive a loan, the repayments will be deducted from your benefit in instalments.

Application forms are available from Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.
top

Once you move in

If you need help paying your rent, claim housing benefit straight away and provide any information that is needed to make your claim as a soon as possible. You may lose money if you do not. Remember also that you must tell Housing Benefits about any changes to your circumstances.

Keep a copy of your tenancy agreement, receipts for rent and other payments you make to your landlord. If you pay your rent weekly then your landlord is legally obliged to provide a rent book.

You may also need to arrange to pay for the following:
  • gas
  • electricity
  • water rates
  • council tax
  • TV licence
top

Hostels in Kirklees, Bradford and Leeds

If you are homeless you may be able to stay in a hostel. You can contact some hostels direct, but for others you will have to be referred by an agency such as a Housing Options Centre, CHAS or SHAP.

You can use the free courtesy phone at a Housing Options Centre to phone hostels and check if they have spaces.

View a list of hostels in Kirklees, Bradford and Leeds (External link)
top

Further help

There are number of places where you can go for further information and advice.

The housing advice section includes numerous resources that could advice you further.

top

A to Z of the website