Why rent with a private landlord when I want a council house?
Many of the customers want to live in a council property. It is often cheaper than private rented and tenants have greater security. However council properties are in very short supply in Leeds and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the ever growing demand. We have over 30,000 customers on the bidding register for the Leeds council homes and you could spend a long time on the waiting list with no guarantee of being offered a home.
Many people are finding that renting in the private sector is the best way to resolve their housing needs. It is the quickest way to get your own home.
I have never rented a property before, how does it work?
We have different sizes and types of properties within most districts across the city so you are more likely to get a property your preferred area.
Before you view we inspect every property to make sure they are
- in good condition
- safe from hazards
- passes the fire regulations
- has had gas electrical appliances checked and up to date certificates to prove this.
Because of the way the Leeds Private Rented Scheme has been structured, most landlords we work with don’t require a bond from customers. This helps speed things up and in some cases customers have moved in on the same day they have viewed a property.
When you move into a private rented property you should receive what is called an ‘Assured Shorthold Tenancy’ (AST). This gives you a legal right to occupy the property for an agreed period of time. To start with this should be for a minimum of six months, but some of our ASTs are for 12 months and longer.
Before the end of the agreed tenancy you should communicate with your landlord to discuss staying on at the property. We work with landlords who want tenants who wish to remain in the tenancy for a long time and not just for the first 6 month tenancy.
How do I find out what properties are available?
If you would like to find out more details about renting a property through the Leeds Private Sector Letting Scheme and would like to know what properties are available for renting right now, please contact
Landlord And Tenant Housing Options - just add `interested in private renting’ in the `subject’ field.