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Finding Housing Easy Read

Different Types of Housing

Council/social housing is a term for housing that is owned and managed by a local council and is rented to people with low incomes. 

You can apply for council housing, but there is strict eligibility criteria and priority list. Becuase of the housing crisis in the UK and lack of properties, the waiting list for council properties is very long. 

Temporary accommodation is somewhere to stay while you find a long-term home. Temporary accommodation might be a: hotel, flat, room in an emergency accommodation. 

Unfortunately not everyone is eligible for temporary accommodation. It is not possible to say how long you will be in temporary accommodation if you are offered a place; it depends on your circumstances and the availability of accommodation. 

Private Rented Accommodation is housing that is provided by companies individuals that are not the council. Although they are sometimes more expensive, you might be eligible for some financial support from the council towards renting private accommodation if you are at risk of homelessness. 

Important terms to know:

Tenant: (this is you) it is any adult (over 18 years old) who lives in the property. 

Landlord: The owners of the property. 

Estate Agent: People or companies who help landlords to find a tenant and manage the property. The landlord pays them for their service, not you. 

Guarantor: An individual or private company who signs an agreement that they will pay your rent if you fail to do so. Some landlords require you to have a guarantor to rent their property.