wolf_shadow | Housing

What deposits cover

Most landlords ask new tenants to pay a month's deposit as security in case you damage the property or don't pay the rent. Your landlord should not keep your money because you did something s/he didn't approve of, or to pay for putting right normal wear and tear.

Crisis loans

If you need financial help because of an emergency or disaster, you may be able to get a crisis loan. This is an interest-free loan to cover the cost of essential things that you can't afford on your regular income. If you get one, you will have to pay it back.

Housing co-operatives

This section gives basic information about housing co-ops and how to get a place in one.

What are housing co-ops?

Housing co-ops are groups of people who live in and collectively manage their accommodation. This involves taking responsibility for arranging repairs, making decisions about rent and who joins or leaves the co-op. Living in a housing co-operative can be a good way to get affordable housing and may give you more control over where you live. It is usually most suitable for single people.

How do I get a place?

It can be difficult to get accommodation in a housing co-operative because this type of accommodation is quite rare and few vacancies come up. The way that vacancies are filled varies between different co-operatives. You could try:

applying to the council's waiting list and asking to be nominated for vacancies in housing co-operatives
contacting the council for information about local housing co-operatives and then contacting them directly

You may be able to set up a housing co-operative yourself. You'll probably need a certain number of other people to get involved as well as help with the legal aspects of setting it up. The Confederation of Co-operative Housing UK may be able to help.

Squatting

Squatting isn't illegal but you can be evicted very easily and it doesn't give you any security. You can also be arrested if you damage the property or, in some circumstances, if you refuse to leave.

Housing