Looking for a new home can feel overwhelming but planning and preparation really helps.
You can find properties advertised on property listings websites and through local letting agents. Be pro-active in your search and consider as many areas and types of properties as you can to help increase your options.
Here are some sites where you can search for properties:
Check these sites regularly to ensure that you aren’t missing out on any suitable homes.
You may also find properties through local letting agents, social media or word of mouth, but please be very cautious, and always visit and view any property of interest before making any payments or signing any agreements.
Key things to consider
Affordability
Before offering a tenancy, landlords or letting agents will usually check whether a property is affordable for you, and gather details in relation to your regular income. This helps to reduce the risk of tenancy breakdowns and arrears. Your monthly rent should be no more than 30-40% of your income, leaving you with the finances to pay your bills and utilities along with daily living costs.
Landlords and agents may also look at your outgoings to see if the rent is manageable.
They may ask about:
- Council tax
- Utilities (gas, electric, water)
- TV licence and internet
- Loans, credit cards, or other debts
- Childcare or maintenance payments.
Before agreeing to a new tenancy, it is important that you take time to ensure that you are comfortable with the cost of rent alongside your other outgoings. It can help to make a list of your regular income and outgoings, and calculate how much you are likely to have left (as ‘disposable income’) after the rent and bills have been paid.
Credit checks
Many landlords or agents will carry out a credit check as part of the application process.
A credit check may show:
- County Court Judgements
- Missed payments or defaults
- Previous insolvency (for example an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or bankruptcy)
- Electoral register information.
Having a poor credit rating or past issues does not necessarily mean you will be refused a tenancy, but it may affect the conditions a landlord is willing to offer. Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, landlords must carry out fair affordability assessments and cannot discriminate against prospective tenants based on their benefit or family status.
If your credit history is limited or shows past problems, be honest and upfront wherever possible. Some landlords may accept a guarantor and/or evidence of recent stable payments to provide some extra assurance. A landlord cannot charge higher rent or extra fees simply because of an applicant’s credit history.
Upfront costs
Most landlords and agents will ask for some upfront payments before a tenant moves into a property - such as a holding deposit, security deposit and rent in advance - but there are strict rules in terms of how much can be charged, and when.
See what fees tenants can be charged for further information on the fees that can and cannot be charged in relation to private tenancies.
Suitability and standards
Before going ahead with a property, make sure that the location is right for you and your household, considering how close it is to local schools and work, to any wider family and support networks, transport, and general amenities. Also make sure that you are happy with the condition of the property, and ask that any repairs (if noticed during a viewing) are dealt with before you move in.
Assistance with securing a new home
The Council’s Private Renting Assistance Scheme can support with the upfront costs associated with moving home. Visit our Private Renting Assistance Scheme page for further information, including the scheme eligibility criteria and types of assistance available.