Renting through a housing association
Housing associations can also be known as registered social landlords or RSLs. They provide affordable housing for rent and run initiatives to help people own their own home. They work on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis and are supported financially by the government. There are a number of housing associations in Solihull and some offer specialist accommodation to people with particular support needs. Find out more about Housing Associations here.
Other Housing Options
Private renting
The benefits of private renting are:
- properties are available immediately.
- you have greater choice over where you live.
- it can be easier to end the tenancy if you decide to move.
- properties are available furnished, unfurnished and part-furnished.
A private rented sector property could be any type of residential property, such as a:
- house
- flat
- maisonette
- bungalow
A private company or an individual can own a rental property.
Paying for housing with benefits
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
There is more information on GOV.UK about paying for private housing with benefits.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are used to calculate how much Housing Benefit you may get if you rent private housing.
Costs and charges
Details on charges
The Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees. It also caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rental sector in England.
You may still be asked to pay a deposit and rent in advance.
Help to pay rental and deposit costs
If you claim, or are going to claim, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you may also be able to request a discretionary housing payment. This can help with:
- a deposit
- rent in advance
- removal costs
Discretionary housing payments can also be used to cover shortfalls in rent if you are struggling to meet your rental costs.
Finding furniture for your home
If you need help with things like:
- furniture
- white goods
- food
- clothing
Then you may be able to apply for help see link for more information as to how to access help: Money advice (solihull.gov.uk)
If you are struggling to buy furniture for your new home, there are charitable organisations that may be able to help you. See links below:
Help (pdf 974 kB) Yourself Guide (solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk) (pdf 974 kB)
CT Furniture Birmingham – Garrison Street | Community Transport
Help to own your own home – Shared ownership
To find out more about how you could become a home owner follow this link: Own Your Home | Shared Ownership – Own Your Home
Extra Care Housing
Extra care housing offers a way of supporting people to live independently for as long as possible. It gives people the privacy and security of their own home with their own front door. Extra care housing combines purpose-built, self-contained accommodation (one or two bedrooms) with onsite care and support services. Facilities onsite vary and can include communal lounge areas, restaurant, garden areas, hairdresser and gym.
Extra care housing is principally for people aged 55 and over who have social care and support needs. However, applications for people under 55 with a disability will be considered by most schemes. In some circumstances two bedroom apartments can offer couples, where one person has high care needs that would normally require admission to residential care, the option to remain living together. Two bedroom apartments can also offer an option to older parents living with younger adults who have a learning disability and/or physical disability. See link for further details on schemes available in Solihull: Extra care housing (solihull.gov.uk).