For most people the most affordable way of moving out of home is by renting a place but what type of accommodation are you going to apply for?

Renting from a Council

The following councils have houses and flats to rent:

• Darlington
• East Riding of Yorkshire
• Richmondshire
• Harrogate
• Selby

Richmond and Selby are partners with Broadacres in North Yorkshire Home Choice. This is a choice based lettings scheme that applies across all the local authorities in North Yorkshire and York (apart from Harrogate). The local authorities and most housing associations will advertise their properties and applicants registered with the scheme will be able to bid (show interest) for the homes.

Darlington Council lets its homes through the Tees Valley choice based lettings scheme wwwcompasscbl.org.uk.

Harrogate and the East Riding of Yorkshire still operate traditional waiting lists and you should contact the councils for a form.

If you have a tenancy with a Council it is secure and you have certain rights.

Renting from a Housing Association (Registered Providers)

In Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough there is no such thing as 'a council house' any more. All the council houses in Hambleton have been sold to Broadacres Housing Association, in Ryedale to Yorkshire Housing and in Scarborough to Yorkshire Coast Homes.

Most Housing Associations let their homes through the choice based lettings scheme, where they exist, or ask for nominations from the local council. If you contact the housing association you are interested in they will tell you how they let their homes.

If you have a tenancy with a housing association it can also be quite secure however in certain cases you may be offered an assured shorthold tenancy which has less security.

Council and Housing Association accommodation is usually cheaper and more secure than renting privately. Accommodation is usually self contained and unfurnished.

Private rented housing

Private rented housing varies from bedsits to flats or houses furnished or unfurnished. Rents can be higher and will normally require a bond/deposit.

Rented accommodation is often furnished. You will usually have to pay a bond (you get it back when you leave if nothing is damaged or missing) and rent in advance.

Where to look for private rented housing:

• in local newspapers (you can find a free copy at your local library)
• in local shops
• through a Lettings Agent or Estate Agent
• ask family and friends to keep their eyes open, they may know about a place that someone is due to move out of
• your local Council may hold a list of available privately rented accommodation
• you could also place an advert in a local newspaper, shop window or notice board. The advert should say what you are looking for and how much rent you can afford to pay.

What you need to know if you are renting privately

What does the rent cover?
Find out what the rent covers.

Are other bills (such as phone rental, council tax water rates, gas and electricity) included in the rent?

Furniture
If the landlord is providing furniture he might give you a list of what's in the flat and what condition it is in. This is called an inventory. Check it and keep it. Make sure that if anything is damaged it is noted on the inventory. If your landlord doesn't give you an inventory ask for one, though s/he doesn't have to provide one.

How much you have to pay in advance?
If you are renting privately it is usual to have to pay a deposit (bond) and rent in advance, before or at the same time as you sign the tenancy agreement.
The deposit is held by the landlord during the tenancy and paid back to you at the end of the tenancy. If you damage the property or don't pay the rent your landlord may be able to keep all or part of the deposit.

If you find a home through a letting agent, you may have to pay him an agency fee. Some charge tenants and some don't, so it may be worth shopping around.

You may also need to have a bank account as some landlords want rent to be paid by standing order.

Whether you need references
Landlords often ask potential tenants to provide references to prove that you are reliable and will be able to afford the rent. This usually means providing bank details and/or a letter from your employer confirming employment. Sometimes landlords request character references or references from former landlords. If you are taking on a tenancy for the first time, a landlord might accept a reference from a parent or guardian. You might be asked to provide a guarantor for the rent. This is more common for young people. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you do not.

Whether you can get housing benefit
Renting privately can be very expensive. The amount you have to spend usually depends on the size, location and condition of the property.

If you are on benefits or have a low income you may be able to get housing benefit to help you pay the rent. If your income isn't too high you may be able to get housing benefit even if you are working. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find a landlord who lets accommodation to tenants who claim housing benefit.

It is possible to check how much housing benefit you will get before agreeing to move in. You can do this by getting a pre-tenancy determination if your landlord agrees.

To calculate an estimate of the amount of benefits you could be entitled to if you live in the Hambleton District use the Hambleton District Council's Web Benefits Calculator.

Board and lodgings
Lodging with someone (where you live with your landlord or share living space) can be more 'friendly', though as a lodger you have fewer rights than as a tenant.

What you will need to take with you.

Depending on the kind of place you are moving into, you may need a lot of new things for your home.

Ask your friends and family if they have any household items to spare.

Then, check out:

second-hand shops
charity shops
furniture projects
car boot sales
jumble sales
adverts in the local paper
adverts in supermarkets and newsagents
You may find some bargains, and it's likely to be much cheaper than buying everything new. You can also pick up cheap furniture from a recycled furniture centre.