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Your Housing Options

Information on the housing options available to Fenland residents

There are many different types of housing options available. 


Private rented

The benefits of private renting are that properties are available immediately. You have greater choice over where you live and it can be easier to end the tenancy if you decide to move. 

A private rented sector property could be any type of residential property such as a house, flat, maisonette or bungalow. Properties are available furnished, unfurnished and part-furnished. 

A private company or an individual can own a rental property.


Finding private rented accommodation in Fenland

Privately rented properties can be advertised online, in local newspapers, through letting agents and on noticeboards. 

Some websites advertise private rented accommodation. These include DSS MoveGumtreeOn the MarketOpenrentZooplaRightmoveSpareRoom and Flatmate.


Paying for housing with benefits

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. The gov.uk website has more information about paying for private housing with benefits. 

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are used to calculate how much Housing Benefit you may get if you rent private housing.

Costs and charges

The Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees. It also caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rental sector in England.

You may still be asked to pay a deposit and rent in advance.

Help to pay rental and deposit costs

If you need help with a deposit and you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, we may be able to assist. For us to assist you would need to request a housing needs assessment

If you claim, or are going to claim, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you may also be able to request a Discretionary Housing Payment. This can help with:

  • a deposit
  • rent in advance
  • removal costs

Discretionary Housing Payments can also be used to cover shortfalls in rent if you are struggling to meet your rental costs.


House shares and lodging

A room in a shared house offers a cheaper alternative to renting a complete self-contained unit and may give you a chance to save some money towards a deposit for your own place.  It also gives you an opportunity meet new people and to get support from others going through a similar experience.

If you are under 35 with no children and will be relying on housing benefit to cover your rent payments then you may need to consider renting a room in a shared house rather than renting self-contained accommodation.  This is because the housing benefit you are entitled to is limited to the shared room rate.

Lodging is another cheap alternative to renting self-contained accommodation is to become a lodger. 

Staying with family

The housing shortage in Fenland and the cost of housing can make finding your own place difficult.

It is best to wait until you are in a good financial position before searching for a home. This could be with a regular income or with some savings for a deposit and rent in advance.

If possible, consider staying with your family. You will likely have lower housing costs and more time to save up.

Saving to get on the property ladder

More homes are being built for those looking to own their own home.

While it may take longer to save for a deposit, you can get onto the housing ladder with more affordable schemes such as shared ownership.

There are also savings accounts designed for those looking to buy and for those on benefits.

Impact on Council Tax and benefits

If your family claim benefits to help with housing costs or Council Tax, it is important that they declare if you are living with them. Further information is available on Housing Benefit and Council Tax.


Applying for social housing

To apply for this, please register at Home-Link.


Affordable home ownership

If you have regular income and want to own a home but do not have the money for a deposit there are affordable homeownership schemes that may be able to help. The schemes include an Equity Loan, Shared Ownership and Help to Buy ISAs.

There is also the Rent to Buy scheme.

Rent Deposit Scheme

Our Rental Deposit Scheme can provide financial support for private rented properties

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