You are likely to find a home more quickly by renting from a private landlord. This also gives you more choice.
You may find more homes and lower rents if you look outside London.
There is a shortage of council and housing association homes in Ealing borough. You could be waiting many years for a property, while living in temporary accommodation.
Ways to find a home
You can search for:
- houses and flats to rent
- rooms in shared houses or flats
- affordable rented homes
You can speak to estate agents in person or search for a property online.
Websites that advertise homes to rent
- www.gumtree.com - search for DSS welcome
- www.rightmove.co.uk
- www.zoopla.co.uk
- www.dssmove.co.uk - search by area
- www.dsslocal.com
- www.openrent.co.uk
- www.trovit.co.uk - search by area and for DSS welcome
- www.homefinder.org
- Homes for Londoners - search for affordable housing in London
Rooms to rent
- www.spareroom.co.uk - search for DSS
- www.easyroommate.co.uk
- www.roomies.co.uk
Finding a property in another area
Rent is often more affordable outside of London. You may be able to find a property with a registered social landlord outside of London from:
- Bridge Housing Solutions - social housing outside London
- Help2Rent - local authority-funded social and private housing
- Reloc8 - private property outside of London
- Homefinder - social housing in other areas
- Housing Moves - bid for social housing in London, if eligible
- Seaside and Country Homes - social housing in the south of England if you are older than 55
- Moving soon - properties available to rent and for shared ownership
Before you start looking
Check:
- what rent you can afford
- if you can get help with housing costs
- what areas you are willing to move to
Help with rent
If you get Universal Credit or housing benefit, you may be able to get help with your rent.
Your benefits may not cover the full rent. Before signing a tenancy agreement:
- check your Local Housing Allowance rate
- use a benefits calculator to check how much help you could get
- make sure you can afford any amount you will need to pay
- get advice if you are not sure
London Living Rent
If your household income £75,000 or less, you may be able to apply for the London Living Rent scheme