If you can find a suitable, affordable home on the private rental market, you could be eligible for financial support. This could resolve your housing situation in the short or medium term.
The property you find needs to be affordable for you. Even if the rent is higher than the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), we may still be able to help. Finding your own home will give you flexibility, choice and a fresh start.
We can provide:
- help to secure a private rented home of your choice
- assistance with rent negotiation and document checking
- help with a deposit and paying rent in advance
- assistance with relocation costs if the property you find is outside of Elmbridge
- removals assistance
Eligibility criteria
You can access support if:
- you are threatened with homelessness, reside in Elmbridge and the council accepts a duty to help resolve your housing situation
- you are engaged in the process of seeking suitable private rented housing to meet your needs
- you receive Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or a low income
- you need help with upfront costs, such as a deposit and rent in advance
- the property passes safety checks
How to access support
To access the support, you will need to:
- Find an affordable property.
- Get the relevant information you need from the landlord or agent.
- Make sure you don’t pay any money or sign any agreements without contacting your housing officer first.
- Contact your housing officer.
- Get an assessment of your income and expenses, which will be carried out by your housing officer to make sure the property is affordable.
The council’s Rental Support Scheme or Rentstart will arrange to secure the tenancy on your behalf.
Once agreed, one month’s deposit and one month’s rent will be paid directly to the landlord.
How to look for your own property
To look for your own property:
- register with local letting agents find landlords via property search websites, such as Rightmove SpareRoom, OpenRent, Zoopla, OnTheMarket and Gumtree
- look for adverts in local newspapers and shop windows
Information you’ll need from landlords or agents
You will need information on:
- the rent and if it includes bills
- how rent payments should be paid
- the rental period, and if you will be able to renew your tenancy
- how the deposit will be protected
- whether you are allowed pets (if you have them)
Documents we will need
The council will need the following documents:
- Energy Performance Certificate (grade E or above)
- ‘Satisfactory’ Electrical Installation Condition Report (E.I.C.R)
- Land Registry certificate
- Valid Gas Safety certificate
Further information
For further information, contact: housingoptions@elmbridge.gov.uk.