Housing

Looking for somewhere to live?

If you’re looking for a house, the best person to help you is an estate agent. Choose a local one if you know where you want to live. Choose a national one if you are not yet decided. Most estate agents advertise their properties for sale and for rent on national property websites such as rightmove.

Renting

There are advantages to renting. You can test out if the area is right for you without committing a large financial amount. Your landlord will be responsible for fixing the property when things go wrong. You can often move in to an available property at short notice.

Buying

The main advantages to buying are the stability and the investment. But you will need to show paperwork at the point of offer to prove you have the financial means to proceed, and you will probably need to talk to a couple of banks, building societies or financial advisers to secure a mortgage. Expect the process to take several months.

Here you can find more information about everything you require to make this process as clear and simple as possible: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing. 

Budgeting

When you are budgeting for housing, be aware that you will be expected to pay bills for water, electricity, gas, TV licence, internet, council tax, buildings insurance and contents insurance.

Energy Advice

This information is designed to help people who have recently moved to the UK to understand how energy at home works.

– Energy in Your Home (PDF)