Renting a home
Renting from a housing association or co-operative
Advantages:
- excellent tenancy rights - you can decide when you want to move
- housing costs are fairly predictable - rent, Council Tax, gas and electricity bills
- landlords are willing to accept housing benefit
- No deposit needed
- typically lower rents than the private rented sector
- Communities Scotland regulates housing associations and co-operatives to ensure tenants receive a good standard of service and accommodation
- properties are maintained by each housing association or co-operative.
Disadvantages:
- Access for most people is via the waiting list. You will need to fill in an application form first
- You may have to apply to more than one landlord
- There may be a very long wait (months or even years) for properties in some areas
- Properties are usually completely unfurnished.
Renting from a private landlord
Advantages:
- Quick and easy to find accommodation
- Properties are available furnished or unfurnished
- Housing costs are fairly predictable - rent, Council Tax, gas and electricity bills.
- You don't have to pay for maintenance of the property or worry about when appliances breakdown. It's the landlord's responsibility.
- You may be able to get housing benefit to help pay the rent if you are on a low income
- It's easy to move out at the end of your tenancy.
Disadvantages:
- not all landlords may be willing to take people on housing benefit so check first
- rents may be higher than those of housing associations or co-operatives.
- you may have to pay a deposit and a month's rent in advance
- you do not have security of tenure with a short assured tenancy. You could be asked to move in as little as six months - see the section on private renting and tenancy agreements.