You can find independent private rental accommodation. This does not have to be in Lincolnshire, you can move anywhere in the UK. You will need to find a property to rent, gather all the information such as the rent, deposit, how much the bills cost, and if the property is furnished. You may be entitled to assistance in the form of the housing element of Universal Credit. You would only receive this after you move into the property.
You can find more advice on renting within the ‘Guidance for Guests’ link above or via the links below:
And don’t forget that you can contact Wellbeing Lincs if you need any advice or support - for more information about the Wellbeing Lincs service, visit our National and Local Guidance section.
How to rent in England
Do you want to know more about renting in England? The government's information on living and renting in England is available to download at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent
For guests who are hoping to rent their own property in England, here are some tips from other Ukrainian guests that have already been successful in signing a tenancy:
- Whilst you are living with a host, you may be contributing to bills and buying food but you will not be paying rent. Use the time with your host to save up towards a deposit (at least two months' rent payments) and money for any furniture you might need when you move into your own home. Without a UK credit history, landlords may ask for up to six months' rent in advance.
- Learning English will help you to find work and also communicate with a landlord or letting agent. You can do this at face-to-face classes or online - find a course near you.
- Landlords or letting agents will often want to check credit history. You could open a savings account with your bank and save a certain amount every month to demonstrate that you can manage your finances and do it on a regular basis (like paying rent).
- If you are on benefits or a low income you might be able to get the housing costs element of Universal Credit. You could work this out before so it helps you understand how much rent you can afford to pay.
- Lots of people are looking for private rented homes right now and it is very competitive. Talk to your host about your plans as they may be able to give you advice about where to look locally. Look online every day but also visit local estate agents face-to-face and talk to friends at your nearest community group. Someone you know may know a private landlord who could be willing to help you. Some useful websites are OpenRent, Rightmove, Socciio and SpareRoom.
- Be as flexible as you can be and search for homes in a wider geographical area.
- Get in touch if you need further help and advice at ukraine.wellbeing@e-lindsey.gov.uk or your local district council.
We are also looking to engage private landlords specifically around renting to Ukrainian guests, so if you are a private landlord or know one, we’d be very keen to hear from you.
So far, we're aware of over 100 Ukrainian families or individuals who have already successfully ‘moved on’ into private rented accommodation across the county. If you're able to share any experiences of accessing the private rental market in Lincolnshire, please let us know at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Moving into rental accommodation – registering with utility companies
We know that many guests are now starting to move into their own rental accommodation and will need help registering with utility companies. We hope the information and links below are useful and recommend contacting the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for further help and support.
Types of utilities
Gas and Electricity
The Citizens Advice website has useful pages on:
Water
In Lincolnshire, most homes are with Anglian Water but you can check your supplier on the Water UK website.
The Anglian Water website also has a dedicated ‘moving home’ page.
For hosts and guests, if anyone living in your property receives certain benefits or tax credits, you could be eligible for the AquaCare Plus or WaterSure tariffs. Visit the Anglian Water website or call 03457 919 155 to apply.
Broadband
The Uswitch website has a helpful page on broadband and moving house.
Paying bills
The Money Helper website has a useful page on the best way to pay bills.