Finding a privately rented home

For most people looking for a new home in Portsmouth, the private rent sector is the quickest solution.

The government produces a How to Rent guide for tenants who want to access the private rent sector.

There are lots of landlords and letting agents in Portsmouth, but no single place to find them all. Each landlord or agent may have different rules about who they will rent to.

We suggest:

• visiting a few letting agencies and registering with them
• telling them what kind of home you’re looking for
• checking websites like Rightmove and Zoopla, where many landlords advertise properties

When you move into a new home, you’ll usually need to pay some money upfront. This might include:

• a rent deposit
• rent in advance

It’s a good idea to save for these costs or ask family and friends for help if needed.

If you get Housing Benefit or the housing part of Universal Credit, you might be able to get extra help through the government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The law limits what landlords can charge you when you start a tenancy, which you can read on the Shelter website.

If you need help with other costs when setting up your new home, check our help for people in hardship directory.