Renting in the private sector

Renting from a private landlord has a number of benefits that you might want to think about before deciding on a place to live:

It can be a lot cheaper than buying your own home;
Private landlords are sometimes flexible about the length of the lease
You can choose from a wide range of locations and property types
You don’t have the worries that come with owning a home, and will have less responsibility for repairs
If you choose a furnished property you won’t need to worry about the cost of buying furniture.

When you decide to rent from a private landlord your first thought is probably to find a house but before you do that you need to think about:

The size, type and location of the house you want to live in;
Rent, bills, insurance and other costs;
If the landlord is reliable;
Your responsibilities as a tenant.

Having the right knowledge and information is the key to a safe and successful tenancy. It’s always worth getting advice from people with more experience than you.

You could talk to family and friends who rent their homes from a private landlord, or get in touch with the Private Rented Service Newcastle for advice, support and training.

If you rent from a private landlord you should ask them if they are a member of a national or local landlord body or association. These organisations usually have agreed levels of service that their members need to comply with.

If you have any problems with your landlord and they are a member of one of these schemes you can contact the scheme for assistance.

The Private Rented Service Newcastle also runs a Housing Accreditation Scheme. If your landlord is registered with the scheme you can be confident that your home will be safe, secure and well managed.

What do I need to think about?

How will I know if a landlord is reliable?

Can I rent from a private landlord if I’m under 18?