Privately Renting

The UK Government provides a helpful guide on how to rent in the UK. 
 
For some guests, a move into rented property will be straightforward – some guest groups will be able to afford to rent and will be able to secure a new property without assistance.

Other guests may need some further support to navigate the rental market. Guests may need to explore if they are eligible for an increase in their universal credit to cover or contribute towards future rental costs. Guests can use benefit calculators and look at local housing allowances to help with this. Guests can also contact the Job Centre/Department for Work and Pensions to discuss eligibility for help with housing costs. There is further information on the UK Government website.

Guests can look for privately rented accommodation anywhere in the UK, it does not have to be in Lincolnshire. The cost may vary depending on the area you are considering on living.
Please remember that rental costs are not the only costs associated with renting a property. Other costs include council tax, and bills for electricity, gas and water. Properties may not be furnished so you may also need to provide your own furniture and other household items. 
 
Ukrainian guests living in a hosting arrangement also have the advantage of having had an extended period of free accommodation. We encourage guests to use any remaining hosting period to save funds to help with a move into private rented accommodation. 
 
There are many websites available to view properties for rent in Lincolnshire (and elsewhere in the UK). The housing market is difficult at the moment, and we do not underestimate the challenges that some groups will have in securing rented accommodation – this applies to everyone trying to rent at the moment. We also know that moving house might also involve changing jobs and changing schools for any children in the guest group. Guests moving into a rented property should not assume that there will be places available in schools nearest to that property, and guests should not assume they will receive free school transport back to the school the children currently attend.

As a general rule, an applicant would need to evidence an annual income of 30 times the monthly rental amount (i.e. If a property were advertised at £800 per month, the applicant would need to evidence an annual income of £24,000).

If a landlord or agent is willing to let to the applicant, they will normally be asked to pay a holding deposit (usually the equivalent of 1 week’s rent). Ordinarily, a household on a low income would not be considered unless they were able to provide a guarantor. If the guest cannot provide a guarantor, (a guarantor is someone who will pay your rent if you do not) they may need to pay up to 6 months’ rent in advance.

If after all referencing checks have been successfully completed, the guest will be offered a date to sign the lease (usually a 6-month assured tenancy agreement).

At this point the guest will have had to have paid a month’s rent in advance and a deposit (typically the equivalent of 5 week’s rent).

When guests are trying to secure a privately rented property the landlord or agent representing the landlord will need to see proof of a guest’s Right to Rent in the UK. Guests can provide this proof by giving them a “share code” which will allow the landlord to see the start and end date of a guest’s visa.

There is further information on privately renting properties – including links to local estate agents below.

If guests are struggling to find a rented property themselves and need some support, then they can email the LCC Migration Team at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk – we can offer advice or connect the guests with Homelessness Prevention Officers in the relevant district council housing teams who may be able to help. Most district councils will signpost people looking for rental properties to Rightmove and Spare Room.

We may, in limited cases, help with funding to assist guests to move into private rental accommodation if the guests are at risk of homelessness. This discretionary support, funded by the Homes for Ukraine government grant, may include a reasonable contribution towards a deposit or essential furnishings.

Please note:

• Lincolnshire County Council cannot act as a guarantor
• Financial support is means-tested, subject to additional checks, and not guaranteed in every case

Guests wishing to discuss their circumstances can contact the Migration Team at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

1. 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 upfront costs of a property which we have outlined above.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. If you are receiving benefits or a low income you might be able to get the housing costs element of Universal Credit. Find out if you are eligible for this here. If you are entitled to any kind of benefits, this will be taken into consideration when the letting agency or landlord decides if you can afford the property.
5. 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. Do not hand over money to a letting agency or a landlord before viewing a property. Money should only be exchanged when you apply for a property. You should only pay the deposit and the rent in advance when you have a tenancy agreement.
6. Be as flexible as you can be and search for homes in a wider geographical area.
7. Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

Get in touch if you need further help and advice at homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk or your local district council.

As well as your rent you will also need to pay for council tax and utilities such as electricity, gas and water.

Council Tax is a tax that goes to local councils to help pay for things like schools, roads, social care and police. Guests moving into rented property will need to pay Council Tax. Some councils will apply Council Tax reductions in some circumstances. You can contact your district council to task about Council Tax reductions via the UK Government website.

You can find out which company supplies electricity and gas to your rented property through the Citizens Advice website. Citizens Advice also have suggestions on how to deal with your energy supply when moving home.

Most homes in Lincolnshire have their water supplied by Anglian Water, who offers special tariffs for people who receive certain benefits – there are more details on the Anglian Water website.

The Uswitch website has a helpful page on broadband and moving house.

More information and advice on energy and associated bills can be found on the National Energy Action website.

You will need to change your address with the following organisations:

• Bank
• GP (or you may need registering with a new GP if moving out of area)
• Dentist
• School (or you may need to apply for a place with a new school if you are moving out of your current local area)
• Consider the implications for school transport
• Any bills such as mobile phones, you will need to update them with your new address
• DVLA if you have purchased a car in the UK you will need to update your vehicle log book
• If you pay for your vehicle tax by direct debit, you will have to tell the DVLA when you change your address, you can do this by telephone: 0300 790 6802
• If you have a UK driving licence you will need to change your address
• Car insurance

You will also need to set up accounts with your utility companies - gas, electric and water.

When you move in take a meter reading straight away and contact the company - your landlord should be able to tell you which utility company is currently supplying your new property.

Contact your Council Tax Department. You will need to register at the new property and you may be eligible for 50% discount under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. You may need to send them a copy of your Biometric Residence Permits (front and back) for everyone in the household.

You will need to update details for any benefits you currently receive, and may be eligible for additional benefits such as Housing benefit and council tax support - you can check what benefits you may be entitled to using a benefits calculator.

Child benefit

• Report online if you have a government gateway login
• By phone (you will need your National Insurance number): 0300 200 3100
• Or by post:
  HM Revenue and Customs — Child Benefit Office
  PO Box 1
  Newcastle upon Tyne
  NE88 1AA
  United Kingdom

Universal Credit

You can report a change of address using the following methods:

• through your Universal Credit online account (messages to your online account will be answered as soon as possible during business hours)
• by phoning the Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644
• by speaking to your work coach at your local Jobs & Benefits office

State pension

To report a change of address for your state pension you can use the following methods:

• Call the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
• Write to the Pension Service:
  The Pension Service
  Post Handling Site A
  Wolverhampton
  WV98 1AF

Pension Credit

To report a change of address for your Pension Credit you can use the following methods:

• Call the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
• You can also report by post. The address is on the letters you get about your Pension Credit

TV Licence

You will need to pay for a TV licence if you watch any live TV, you can do this online at: www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

If you do not watch TV Live on any Channel or online service, or on BBC iPlayer (including on your mobile phone, computer, Television, Tablet or console) you need to complete a No Licence Needed declaration.

In an emergency situation, where guests are immediately homeless, those guests should contact their district council to request emergency housing. If the emergency is during normal work hours guests should use the relevant email address below; if the emergency is in the evening or at weekends, then guests should use the out-of-hours contact number for each district.