FAQs

Q1. What is the private rented sector?

The private rented sector is a name for all properties which are available to rent privately.  The landlord could be an individual, an agency such as Real Lettings or a company. The landlord will be running this as a business, with a view to making a profit. 

Q2. How is it different from the way my hostel or supported housing project is owned and run?

Your hostel or supported housing project is likely to be owned by a housing association or voluntary body. As your landlord, the hostel has to manage your tenancy in a business like manner, but they are still a social landlord and do not rent you your accommodation simply to make money from it. Supported Accommodation is usually a temporary stay for example 18 months and is for people who need  support. Private rented housing is for people who are able to live independently and who no longer require support.

Q3. What kind of tenancy agreement will I get in the private rented sector?

Tenants will receive an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). An Assured Shorthold Tenancy gives you a legal right to live in your accommodation for a period of time. Your tenancy usually starts off with a set time limit during which you can live there. This fixed term is usually six or 12 months. This does not mean that you will have to move after 6 or 12 months, this is just the minimum term. Most tenancies, as with any Real Lettings tenancies, are periodic which means they continue to roll on by a month to month basis so you will not need to re-sign or re-negotiate the terms of your tenancy

Q4. Does that mean that after the fixed term has ended I will have to move out?

Real Lettings is the landlord for some properties. We have signed 5 year leases on the majority of these and we do not expect that tenancies will last for a shorter period than this. We have asked the other landlords that we work with to agree to be part of the scheme for at minimum 18 months. In reality if a tenant is making regular rent payments and does not cause any problems it is unlikely that a landlord will end a tenancy. If a landlord asks you to leave within the first 18 months then we will do all we can to find you alternative accommodation. In properties where Real Lettings is not the landlord, if the landlord give you notice to leave after the fixed term it is likely that:

You will have 2 months notice to Move out;

Your landlord will have to apply for possession via the court

You will need to search for a property that is within your affordability range.Real Lettings will give you advice, support and guidance on the above. If your landlord seeks possession within the first 18 months of your tenancy through no fault of your own we will do our best to re-house you using properties that we find

Q5. What should I expect from my landlord?

  Landlords’ responsibilities include:

· Not disturbing their tenants unnecessarily; and
· Following the correct procedure if they want the tenant to leave; and
· Carrying out certain repairs; and
· Meeting safety standards; and
· Following the legal rules on rent
· Real Lettings will ensure that Landlords meet their responsibility to you as a tenant

Q6. I’ve heard that the private rented sector is not permanent and not secure. Why should I think about this kind of move on option?

The main reason that you might be asked to leave a private rented sector property is if the landlord wants it back for some reason.  If the landlord wants to take back the property, they will have to give you notice and give you time to find somewhere else. This notice period is usually 2 months. A landlord will have to seek possession of their property via the courts. Real Lettings can give you advice and guidance in finding alternative accommodation.

Q7. Can my landlord just throw me out?

No. In order to repossess a property, a landlord has to serve notice and follow a legal process. This can often take several months, and is usually enough time for alternative accommodation to be found.

Q8. Why am I unlikely to get a council or housing association flat?

Traditionally most people who moved into hostels and supported housing would be offered a council or housing association flat as Move-On. Today however, the level of people on the housing register is so high and the amount of properties available is so low that it is very unlikely for most people in supported accommodation to be offered a social tenancy as Move-On. Most local authorities have tens of thousands of people on their waiting list but make on average around a thousand new lets per year. This is why local authorities are funding schemes such as Real Lettings to provide alternative sources of Move-On

Q9. Cant I just wait in supported accommodation until I am offered social housing?

It is unlikely that you will be able to wait in supported accommodation for social housing. This is because supported  accommodation is normally temporary, meaning you can only stay for around 12 to 18 months. Due to the lack of social housing (as mentioned in question 8), the wait for council or housing association accommodation is for most people likely to be many years. This is longer than you would be able to stay in supported accommodation. 

Q10. How is the private rented sector different to the council?

  With Real Lettings in the private rented sector you get:

· More choice of property,
· A better standard of accommodation
· Freedom to move from one area to another or one property to another;
· Higher but affordable rents (although not as high as some hostels or temporary accommodation). All the properties we take on are coverable by housing benefit/local housing allowance;
· Housing Benefit/local housing allowance to assist with the rent where it is needed (you are also likely to be entitled to some Local Housing Allowance if you start working)
· A Periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancy can continue. You will not need to re-sign your tenancy as it will roll on indefinitely as long as the landlord and tenant are both happy
· Flexibility and freedom to move to a new property in any area.
· While you wont have a right to buy you may be able to apply to a home ownership scheme for other properties

With a council or housing association property you get:

· An Assured or Assured Shorthold Tenancy, usually with a probation period for the first 12 months. You can be evicted if you break your tenancy agreement for example, by not paying the rent or being found guilty of anti-social behaviour etc…
· Worse and often very poor standard of accommodation
· Cheaper rents than the private rented sector;
· Less choice of property and area – you may be offered a limited number of viewings and often only in the borough you are currently living in;
· Usually many years on waiting list or registers: there are tens of thousands of Single people on each council waiting list who are generally not a high priority for housing and therefore are unlikely to get move on into social housing;
· Limited freedom to change properties: It is usually very difficult to move (to get a transfer) to another council or housing association property once you have accepted a tenancy. This will be the case if you find a partner, get married or have children. There is no automatic right to move to a larger property;
· Most council and housing association properties are often in a bad state of repair when offered. They come completely unfurnished and often undecorated and without flooring. This leaves new tenants in a difficult situation when moving in.
· Properties being offered to you that can in some cases be on the least popular estates;

·You may also be offered the ‘Right to Buy’ on a limited amount of properties – however, single people often being offered flats in blocks, buying is sometimes not a good idea. Flat owners will become liable for service charges (for items such as the lifts and hallways), and are expected to pay a contribution to any major repairs to the block itself

Q11. I’m on my local council waiting list for council housing. Can I stay on there if I am referred to Real Lettings’ project?

This will depend on the specific policies of the council you  are registered with and their policies on allocating properties, however it is likely that the Local Authority would decide that you were no longer in housing need and take you off of their waiting list. Most local authorities see private rented housing as suitable housing and this is likely to be the move on that most people in hostels & supported housing are offered. Even people considered in priority need may be offered private rented housing rather than social housing as there is simply not enough social housing available. It is unlikely for most people in supported accommodation to be offered social housing and this will remain the case if you move into private rented accommodation.

Q12. How close will the rent be to social housing prices?

Rent figures across London depend greatly on factors like the location of the property, the size of accommodation, whether it is furnished and whether or not it is shared with other people. There is likely to be a higher cost for private tenancies in most areas, but Real Lettings will ensure that all properties we offer will be able to be covered by Housing Benefit and should therefore always be affordable to you even if you start work as you may still be entitled to some housing benefit to supplement your rent contribution.

Q14 Will Real Lettings be my landlord?

The accommodation which you are offered will fall into one of three categories:

1· Real Lettings has accommodation which it leases from private landlords – in effect Real Lettings is the landlord. Tenants pay rent directly to Real Lettings and we manage everything to do with the tenancy, for example collecting rent and ensuring repairs are carried out.
2· We also have access to properties which we manage on behalf of private landlords. The arrangements here are slightly different, Real Lettings still collects the rent and do some repairs but the landlord is responsible for some services such as repairs.
3· It may be that you are offered the tenancy of a property with which Real Lettings has no involvement other than having found the landlord and put you in touch with him or her, or you may have found the property yourself. 

Q14. What support can Real Lettings offer me?

The scheme is intended for tenants with very low support needs. You will not have a key-worker when you move on and we will not be visiting you on a regular basis. However, whichever type of accommodation you are housed in you will still have access to support from the Real Lettings Resettlement Team to set your tenancy up. We will help you with claims for Housing Benefit and grants etc, as well as ensuring that your utility accounts (gas, electricity etc) are set up. We can also advise you about where to get low cost furniture. We will also visit you in the early stages of your tenancy to make sure things are going smoothly and you can call our helpline at any time during office hours. We will be able to advise you about any problems you may have or direct you to a service that can help. You can find out more on this site by clicking here

Q15. Are there any circumstances when I would have to share with someone?

If you are over 25, then Real Lettings will offer you a self contained one bedroom or studio accommodation, somewhere of your own that is affordable. If you are working, depending how much you are earning we will be able to advise you on how much housing benefit/local housing allowance you are entitled to. You may want to consider sharing a flat with someone if you are working as your rent will be cheaper leaving you with more disposable income. Many working professionals living in London live in shared houses.If you are under 25, you will have to share with at least one other person. This is because people under 25 are only entitled to single room rent from housing benefit/local housing allowance (ie: your benefits will only pay for a room in a shared property)

Q16. I am homeless. Will a landlord want to sign a contract with me?

Research has shown that the biggest concern landlords have  about their properties is finding someone who will pay their rent regularly. We do not expect there to be a problem finding landlords to rent from. We currently work with many landlords across London who are happy with the tenants we provide them. 

Q17. What is Local Housing Allowance?

Local Housing Allowance is what Housing Benefit is called for people renting in the private rented sector. You can find out how much Local Housing Allowance you can claim in different areas of London and the UK on https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx . Your Local Housing Allowance will be paid directly to you rather than your landlord (except for in exceptional cases) and it is your responsibility to pay this to your landlord. We advise that you make sure you have a bank account so you can set up a direct debit to your landlord. For more information click here

Q18. what happens if I want to move?

You are free to move to another private rented property at any time. Your minimum term on your tenancy is 6 months and there is a risk that you may incur a penalty if you move out before this time. After the initial 6 month period you will normally have to give 4 weeks notice to your landlord before you move out. Make sure you start looking for somewhere else to live immediately as it may take a few weeks to find somewhere else and move in. Bear in mind that you will also need to provide a deposit to any landlord whose property you move into. It is a good idea to save a small amount each week towards a deposit. We can advise you on ways to do this once you move in.

Things to think about before deciding to move:

· How am I going to move my belongings?
· Am I tied into any contracts with phone or broadband
· companies? If so, you will have to call them and check you can transfer the contract to a new home – otherwise you will usually have to continue paying until the end of the contract.
· How will my journey to work/college be affected. 

Q19. How can I be sure I won’t be worse off by joining the scheme?

You should make sure you are aware of what your likely financial situation will be if you decide to change it in any way, for instance, move off Job Seekers Allowance and into a full time job. To start with it is likely that most people will only be slightly better off by moving off of benefits and into work, but the opportunities for career progression, and the many other benefits of such a move should be taken into consideration, and should enable you to make an informed decision about what you want. All the properties which Real Lettings offer will be able to be covered by Housing benefit/local housing allowance and will therefore be affordable if you are working. Real Lettings will be able to help you calculate how much local housing allowance you are entitled to if you begin working.

Q20. Can I still claim Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance in the private rented sector?

Yes. All of the rents in Real Lettings properties are within Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance levels and if you are entitled to full Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance then your rent will be paid by Housing Benefit/Local Housing  Allowance if they start work unless they are on quite a high wage. Local Housing Allowance is intended to help people with their housing. It will be less when you are working but you will need to be earning quite a lot for Local Housing Allowance to stop completely.

Q21. Do I need a deposit?

If you move to any property under the Real Lettings scheme, you will not need a deposit, if Real Lettings finds you a property which is managed by a landlord or if you find your own property we will ensure the deposit is covered.

Q22. What happens if I fall behind with my rent?

Any tenant in any kind of property – council, housing association or private rented sector - risks losing their tenancy if they fall behind with their rent.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your rent is paid. Real Lettings will ensure that you know what to do in order to claim Local Housing Allowance and will provide guidance if you fall into debt. Ultimately  however, if you fail to keep up with rent payments, Real Lettings, like ANY landlord, will take legal action to end your tenancy.

Q23. What else do I have to pay apart from rent?

This will depend on the type of accommodation you rent. You will normally be responsible for bills such as gas, electricity, water and council tax. You may also wish to get a telephone connected, have broadband installed or get a TV licence. You should also consider getting contents insurance to protect your possessions from fire, theft or damage.