Consider a private rented home
If you're currently on our housing register, it's important to know that waiting times for social housing can be long - for all property types.
To give yourself the best chance of finding a home more quickly, we strongly encourage you to bid as regularly as possible and in as wide an area as possible. If you can, we would also encourage you to consider private rented accommodation as an option.
Private renting offers several benefits:
- More availability: There are usually more private rented properties available than social housing, giving you more choice and quicker access.
- Greater flexibility: You may be able to move to a location or type of property that better suits your needs.
- Speed: You could secure a home much faster than waiting for a social housing offer.
We understand that the private rented sector can feel overwhelming, especially if you're navigating it for the first time.
That’s why we offer advice and support to help you access and sustain a private tenancy - visit our private rented housing advice section for help with finding a property, financial support options, and your rights as a tenant.
What happens to your housing register application if you move into private rented?
If you are on the housing register and you move into suitable private rented accommodation, your application may be closed.
Here’s how it works:
If you are on the register because you are homeless: If you find your own private rented accommodation (even if it’s not in your ideal area), your housing register application will be closed. This is because you will no longer have a housing need as you are no longer homeless*.
*This does not apply if the accommodation is temporary or interim housing arranged by us.
If you are on the register for another reason: For example, if you applied due to overcrowding, and you move into a private rented home that is suitably sized for your household, your application will also be closed. This applies to any situation where your housing need is resolved - regardless of the tenure.