Housing
Buying a home
Two-thirds of people in the UK own their own home. Most other people rent houses, flats or rooms.
Mortgages
People who buy their own home usually pay for it with a mortgage, a
special loan from a bank or building society. This loan is paid back,
with interest, over a long period of time, usually 25 years. You can
get information about mortgages from a bank or building society. Some
banks can also give information about Islamic (Sharia) mortgages.
If you are having problems paying your mortgage repayments, you can
get help and advice. It is important to speak to your bank or building
society as soon as you can.
Estate agents
If you wish to buy a home, usually the first place to start is an
estate agent. In Scotland the process is different and you should go
first to a solicitor. Estate agents represent the person selling their
house or flat. They arrange for buyers to visit homes that are for
sale. There are estate agents in all towns and cities and they usually
have websites where they advertise the homes for sale. You can also
find details about homes for sale on the internet and in national and
local newspapers.
Making an offer
In the UK, except in Scotland, when you find a home you wish to buy
you have to make an offer to the seller. You usually do this through an
estate agent or solicitor. Many people offer a lower price than the
seller is asking. Your first offer must be 'subject to contract' so
that you can withdraw if there are reasons why you cannot complete the
purchase. In Scotland the seller sets a price and buyers make offers
over that amount. The agreement becomes legally binding earlier than it
does elsewhere in the UK.
Solicitor and surveyor
It is important that a solicitor helps you through the process of
buying a house or flat. When you make an offer on a property, the
solicitor will carry out a number of legal checks on the property, the
seller and the local area. The solicitor will provide the legal
agreements necessary for you to buy the property. The bank or building
society that is providing you with your mortgage will also carry out
checks on the house or flat you wish to buy. These are done by a
surveyor. The buyer does not usually see the result of this survey, so
the buyer often asks a second surveyor to check the house as well. In
Scotland the survey is carried out before an offer is made, to help
people decide how much they want to bid for the property.
Rented accommodation
It is possible to rent accommodation from the local authority (the
council), from a housing association or from private property owners
called landlords.
The local authority
Most local authorities (or councils) provide housing. This is often
called 'council housing'. In Northern Ireland social housing is
provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive ( www.nihe.co.uk ). In Scotland you can find information on social housing at www.sfha.co.uk .
Everyone is entitled to apply for council accommodation. To apply you
must put your name on the council register or list. This is available
from the housing department at the local authority. You are then
assessed according to your needs. This is done through a system of
points. You get more points if you have priority needs, for example if
you are homeless and have children or chronic ill health.
It is important to note that in many areas of the UK there is a
shortage of council accommodation, and that some people have to wait a
very long time for a house or flat.
Housing associations
Housing associations are independent not-for-profit organisations
which provide housing for rent. In some areas they have taken over the
administration of local authority housing. They also run schemes called
shared ownership, which help people buy part of a house or flat if they
cannot afford to buy all of it at once. There are usually waiting lists
for homes owned by housing associations.
Privately rented accommodation
Many people rent houses or flats privately, from landlords.
Information about private accommodation can be found in local
newspapers, notice boards, estate agents and letting agents.
Tenancy agreement
When you rent a house or flat privately you sign a tenancy
agreement, or lease. This explains the conditions or 'rules' you must
follow while renting the property. This agreement must be checked very
carefully to avoid problems later. The agreement also contains a list
of any furniture or fittings in the property. This is called an
inventory. Before you sign the agreement, check the details and keep it
safe during your tenancy.
Deposit and rent
You will probably be asked to give the landlord a deposit at the
beginning of your tenancy. This is to cover the cost of any damage. It
is usually equal to one month's rent. The landlord must return this
money to you at the end of your tenancy, unless you have caused damage
to the property.
Your rent is fixed with your landlord at the beginning of the
tenancy. The landlord cannot raise the rent without your agreement.
If you have a low income or are unemployed you may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent.
Renewing and ending a tenancy
Your tenancy agreement will be for a fixed period of time, often six
months. After this time the tenancy can be ended or, if both tenant and
landlord agree, renewed. If you end the tenancy before the fixed time,
you usually have to pay the rent for the agreed full period of the
tenancy.
A landlord cannot force a tenant to leave. If a landlord wishes a
tenant to leave they must follow the correct procedures. These vary
according to the type of tenancy. It is a criminal offence for a
landlord to use threats or violence against a tenant or to force them
to leave without an order from court.
Discrimination
It is unlawful for a landlord to discriminate against someone
looking for accommodation because of their sex, race, nationality, or
ethnic group, or because they are disabled, unless the landlord or a
close relative of the landlord is sharing the accommodation.
Homelessness
If you are homeless you should go for help to the local authority
(or, in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive). They have a legal
duty to offer help and advice, but will not offer you a place to live
unless you have priority need and have a connection with the area, such
as work or family. You must also show that you have not made yourself
intentionally homeless.
Help
If you are homeless or have problems with your landlord, help can be found from the following
. The housing department of the local authority will give
advice on homelessness and on Housing Benefit as well as deal with
problems you may have in council-owned property
. The Citizens Advice Bureau will give advice on all types of
housing problems There may also be a housing advice centre in your
neighbourhood
. Shelter is a housing charity which runs a 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 4444, or visit www.shelternet.org.uk
. Help with the cost of moving and setting up home may be
available from the Social Fund This is run by the Department for Work
and Pensions (DWP). It provides grants and loans such as the Community
Care Grant for people setting up home after being homeless or after
they have been in prison or other institutions. Other loans are
available for people who have had an emergency such as flooding.
Information about these is available at the Citizens Advice Bureau or
Jobcentre Plus.
