Skip to main content
Shelter Logo
England

Help us give you what you need! Fill out this short survey about our money and housing content

How to find landlords who accept benefits

No DSS policies are unlawful discrimination.

Search online

You may find landlords with affordable properties for people who claim benefits on:

Some landlords advertise on social media groups and local online forums. 

Speak to your council

Some councils have lists of private landlords who rent to tenants claiming benefits.

The council must usually give you help to find somewhere if you get a section 21 notice or are facing homelessness.

This can include help to find an affordable private tenancy.

You could get a discretionary housing payment from the council to help with a deposit, rent in advance or rent payments.

Check the Help to Rent database

The homeless charity Crisis has a database with schemes that help people find and keep a private tenancy.

Most of the schemes are for single people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Some also give support once you have a private rented home.

Search for a scheme on the Crisis Help to Rent database

Contact letting agents

Many private landlords use agents to rent out their properties.

The agent acts on behalf of the landlord for viewings and tenancies.  

Agents cannot charge fees for things like viewings, references, credit or affordability checks or immigration checks.

No DSS

No DSS policies are bans on renting to tenants who claim universal credit or housing benefit.

No DSS policies and adverts are unlawful discrimination.

You can complain if you see these adverts or if an agent will not deal with you because you claim benefits. 

Show you can afford the rent

Check your local housing allowance rate so you can search for properties you can afford.

LHA rates are used to work out universal credit or housing benefit amounts for private renters. You may get less than your LHA rate if you work.   

If you already pay rent to a private landlord and claim benefits, offer bank statements and references to show a good rent payment history.   

Find a guarantor

You may be asked to provide a guarantor for the tenancy.

Guarantors sign an agreement to cover costs if a tenant does not pay their rent or for damage.

They are usually relatives or close friends. They may need to pass a credit or affordability check.

You could persuade a landlord or agent that you do not need a guarantor if you can show you can afford the rent.

Offer rent in advance

Some landlords do not want to let to tenants who claim benefits because universal credit and housing benefit are paid in arrears.

You could offer rent in advance for the first 2 months of the tenancy. This should cover waiting time for a benefit application or change.

You usually get your benefit on the same day each month so you could set up a direct debit for future payments. 

Don't arrange a bank transfer until you're sure the tenancy is going ahead. If you have to pay cash, always get a receipt.

DWP loans for rent in advance 

You can apply for a DWP loan if you don't have enough for rent in advance. 

The loans are interest free. There are limits on how much you can get. They are paid back through deductions from your benefit payments.

Find out how to apply for a:

Paying a deposit

Many landlords and agents ask for a tenancy deposit. It must be protected in a scheme

You can't be asked to pay more than the equivalent of 5 weeks' rent as a deposit.

You should get it back at the end of the tenancy, unless the landlord deducts money for things like damage or rent arrears.

Deposit replacement insurance

Some landlords or agents use deposit replacement insurance. This is sometimes called a zero deposit option.

You pay a non refundable fee at the start of the tenancy, often equal to just a week's rent.

You have less to pay up front than you would with a normal deposit but you don't get the fee back. It could cost more if there are problems during the tenancy.

Credit checks

Landlords and agents must get your permission to run a credit check. You can't be charged for it.

Be honest if you don't think you'll pass a credit check.

You could suggest an alternative.

If you've shown the property is affordable and that you can provide references, a guarantor or rent in advance, there may be no need for a credit check.

Find out more about renting with a poor credit history.

Beware of online scams

Scammers advertise properties that don't exist or have been rented out. Then they charge a large up front fee to people looking for a home. 

Find out how to protect yourself from scams on ActionFraud.

Some scams target benefit claimants or vulnerable people by sending emails or texts about universal credit or government loans.

There have been scams because of coronavirus.

You can report a scam through Citizens Advice.

Struggling to meet your costs?

Find out about:


Last updated: 4 May 2022

If you need to talk to someone, we'll do our best to help

Get help