Skip to main content

Affordable Homes To Rent: Do They Still Exist?

Affordable Homes To Rent: Do They Still Exist?Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://www.diydaddyblog.com/affordable-homes-to-rent-do-they-still-exist/

 

The subject of renting a home in the UK has long been a sore point for many folks and for many reasons. Whether you’re an individual or someone with a growing family in tow, finding a place to call home has become increasingly difficult in recent years.

Of late, Britain’s cost of living crisis has further compounded people’s ability to afford suitable rental accommodation. This begs the question: do affordable homes for rent still exist in the UK?

Thankfully, the answer to that question is yes – but finding them can be challenging sometimes. Here’s a quick guide to help you find somewhere affordable to rent in Britain, whether you’re in a major city like London, Birmingham, Manchester, or out in the sticks:

Affordable Housing Schemes

Did you know many schemes exist to help people with varying personal circumstances to get cheap accommodation? For instance, people on specific benefits or low incomes may be eligible to rent a home from their local authority.

Your council can also help find affordable housing to rent if you’re a young parent, need supported accommodation, or sheltered housing if you have other needs.

Social Housing

Another way to find somewhere cheap to rent is by opting for social housing. It’s an ideal way to have a family home if you’re on benefits or a low income and doesn’t just include council-owned properties.

Social housing also comprises homes owned by housing associations endorsed by local authorities, as it’s a well-known fact that councils almost always have more demand for properties than they do available homes to offer.

Private Rentals

Some people assume the only way to rent a home is through an estate agent. However, renting a property directly from a landlord is possible, and it often works out cheaper doing it that way.

Of course, you should use due diligence and research any potential landlord so you don’t have any issues with them in the future, such as them withholding your deposit without valid reasons.

House Sharing

Lastly, if you’re single and spend little time at home, renting a room in a house or large apartment is the most affordable accommodation option. With shared accommodation, you have a private bedroom but share cooking and bathroom facilities with other tenants.

5 Tips To Make Rent More Affordable

It’s worth noting the following handy tips and tricks to keep your rent costs as low as possible:

1. Negotiate With Your Landlord

You could negotiate an extended tenancy agreement in exchange for slightly cheaper rent.

2. Don’t Have Pets

Landlords and estate agents often charge tenants with pets more monthly rent than those without.

3. Deal With Landlords Directly

Cutting out estate agents and dealing directly with landlords saves tenants (and landlords) money each month.

4. Earn More Money

If you find that even the cheapest properties are out of your budget, you should consider increasing your monthly income to afford them.

5. Downsize

Moving to a smaller property will typically mean cheaper rent.

Final Thoughts

Despite the economic woes experienced by everyone in the UK right now, it’s still possible to find somewhere affordable to live that you can call home. The above ideas and tips will help you achieve that goal.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.