How to find an LGBTQ+ friendly private rented home

Everyone should feel safe and comfortable in their home.

Sometimes LGBTQ+ renters face discrimination from landlords, letting agents or housemates.

This page has advice on:

• finding LGBTQ+ friendly house shares

• safety tips when searching for rooms online

• adverts, viewings and paying money up front

• tenancies and renting a room in someone's home

What do we mean by LGBTQ+ friendly homes?

LGBTQ+ friendly housing can mean:

• living with other people who identify as LGBTQ+

• sharing with a mix of people who might not be LGBTQ+ but are welcoming and accepting

• having a landlord or agent who does not discriminate or break equality laws

You might see adverts that say things like 'LGBTQ+ friendly', 'trans friendly house', 'queer household' or 'allies only'. Landlords and other renters might give their pronouns.

Search online for LGBTQ+ friendly house shares

You can find LGBTQ+ friendly flat shares or rooms to rent on:

• Queer Homes

• My Gay Flatmate

• Roomies

• SpareRoom

Create a profile with as much information as you want to share. Say what you like and need in a home so other renters or landlords can contact you.

Check social media and online forums

Social media and forums can be a good place to:

• get offers of viewings or rooms

• find LGBTQ+ friendly flatmates or landlords

• get tips and advice from other LGBTQ+ renters

Homes for Queers is popular on Facebook with groups in many areas of the UK.

University towns and cities usually have LGBTQ+ friendly house share adverts. These could be for both students and other people.

Replying to adverts

It might be clear from the advert that a house share or landlord is LGBTQ+ friendly.

If you're not sure and feel safe to do so, you could ask some questions before a viewing.

You could ask if they've had an LGBTQ+ housemate before and how they feel about this.

If an advert says 'females only', you could ask if they include trans women or non binary people.

Questions about your sexual orientation or gender identity

It is up to you what you tell people about yourself.

Many LGBTQ+ renters put information like this in their profiles.

Landlords and agents should not ask about either of these things.

Find out more about equality law and discrimination.

Viewing a room or a property

If people who live there advertised the room, they will probably ask you round for a chat. It's a good chance to meet the people you might be living with.

Take a friend with you. Ask your friend if they think it's the right place for you to move into.

Walk around after the viewing to get a feel for the local area if you do not know it well.

Paying money before or at a viewing

Do not pay money before a viewing or to get a viewing.

You might feel you want to pay money at a viewing if the place feels right.

Do not take cash with you. Ask about any upfront tenancy costs like a deposit or rent in advance. But always confirm things in an email before you pay or transfer money.

Ask what the money is for if you're not sure.

Find out more about:

• paying a tenancy deposit

• which tenancy fees are illegal

• how to protect yourself when handing over money

Tenancies if the landlord lives somewhere else

Most private renters have assured shorthold tenancies (AST). You could have an AST for just your room or for the whole property.

You might deal with a letting agent instead of the landlord.

Before you sign anything, find out what to look for in a tenancy agreement.

Renting a room in someone's home

You have less tenancy rights if you are a lodger. This means you pay rent to someone you share living space with. They might own the home or be a tenant.

Having less rights might not matter if you get on well. But you can be evicted much more easily than other private renters if the landlord wants you to leave.