Homelessness

The law is changing. The Renters Rights Act changes the rights of private tenants from 01 May 2026.   

Visit Shelter for up-to-date information on the changes

Guidance for renting a private property 

Before you consider renting privately, it would be beneficial to carry out some thorough research on what this entails. The 'How to rent checklist' produced by the Government will assist with up to date information and guidance.  

Property type 

First of all you need to decide what type of property you need and where it should be.  Think about things like the type of property (bedsit, flat or house), what floor (ground floor, first floor), what areas of North Warwickshire you want to live in and how much you can afford to pay in rent. 

To check for available properties check websites, local newspapers, supermarket noticeboards, letting and management agents. 

Advice and websites to assist on private renting: 

• Advice from Shelter, a charity working to deal with homelessness and poor housing 

• Government guide to private renting 

Websites to find a rented house, flat or room: 

• Find rooms to rent in a shared house or flat 

• Gumtree - Flats and houses available to rent 

• Rightmove - Flats and houses offered by estate agents 

• Zoopla - Flats and houses offered by estate agents 

Help to pay the rent 

Universal credit or housing benefit could help with rent if you have a low income.  

How much you can get depends upon your local housing allowance rate and how many bedrooms you can claim for.  

Apply for housing benefit

Advice on Universal Credit

Tenancy deposit 

In England and Wales, if you rent out your home or are renting on an assured shorthold tenancy that started after 6 April 2007, the tenants' deposit must be placed in one of four tenancy deposit protection (TDP) schemes. View further details on the tenancy deposit schemes.