District Councils and Housing Associations
From the age of 18 you can register with Homefinder Somerset. This is where council and housing association homes (known as social housing) for rent are advertised. Care leavers are a priority group for these homes, but there are far more people seeking social housing than available homes, so it still may take some time for you to be successful.
Everyone who registers is expected to prove that they can be a successful tenant before the council or housing association will put them forward for a flat.
This is why completing the Tenant Accreditation Scheme (TAS) can really help you.
Private renting – This is where you rent from a landlord, either through a letting agency or directly. There can sometimes be problems with landlords not accepting people on benefits or who are in college.
There are many advantages to renting privately:
There are no waiting lists, so you’ll be able to move in quickly
You can choose where you live in Somerset, and you can easily move to a different area if you want
There are many different types of property available, from one-bedroom studio flats to houses big enough for large families
The properties will usually be well decorated and carpeted; this is often not the case with social housing.
The properties often come with a fridge, freezer and washing machine
Sometimes private landlords also want someone to act as a guarantor (someone who agrees to pay your rent if you don’t pay it), in case the rent isn’t paid or to cover the cost of any damage caused. Again, completing the TAS may help you get a rented property.
‘Corporate Rent Guarantor Scheme for Care Experienced Young People aged 18-25
Sometimes, when you take on your own private rented accommodation, landlords need a little extra reassurance that they will receive the rent and this is usually done through a guarantor. A guarantor is a person who is willing to pay the rent if a tenant can’t. Typically, this person is an immediate family member, but people can use anyone, like a friend or a colleague, who is willing.
As a Care Leaver, Somerset Council, as your Corporate Parent, will do this on your behalf when you are ready to manage your own tenancy and if you are aged between 18 to25 years old. The guarantor will be in place until your 25th birthday. Once you turn 25, you will be responsible for all of your rent payments as the corporate rent guarantor scheme will end at this point. To access the scheme, you will need to show you are emotionally ready to manage a tenancy, can manage the rent payments and not get into debt. It’s also important that once on the scheme, you let your Leaving Care Worker know as soon as possible if your financial circumstances change and this impacts on you being able to pay your rent.
To apply for the scheme, please speak to your Leaving Care Worker and they will help guide you through the next steps.’