Other housing options
You may specifically want a council or housing association home. Or you may have been looking for one without success for some time.
But this may not be the best way for you to find a home. See Council or housing association: is it a good choice? You may be better looking at these other housing options.
1. Rent from a private landlord
Look for a privately-rented home, and you could find just what you want – and quick! Look at these great advantages:
- homes available now across Manchester, with no waiting lists and no red tape! Move in quickly with no fuss.
- you can be sure of good standards: we tell you which landlords have been checked and 'accredited' by the council because their homes and management are up-to-scratch.
- a choice of size and types: from one-bed studios to houses big enough for the largest families. Say goodbye to overcrowding!
- help to pay the rent: if you’re on a low income you could get Housing Benefit to cover some or all of your rent.
- plenty of choice if you’re setting up home from scratch: many homes are already kitted out with furniture and fittings. Or choose a part-furnished, or unfurnished home to suit you best.
2. Swap your home
Do you rent your home from a council a housing association or other not-for-profit landlord? Would you leave that home empty if you move out?
You could find somewhere quickly by exchanging your home with another tenant. Search online for tenants who are looking for a place like yours.
- Go to: Homeswapper
3. Take a low-cost step to home ownership
Mortgages can be hard to come by, making a new home seem out of reach. But there’s lots of help to get you into low-cost home-owning – including ‘try before you buy’ renting!
4. Look in more areas
Use the Pinpoint service to look for more homes in the city, and in the rest of Greater Manchester. It includes homes to rent from local councils, housing associations and private landlords. So there’s lots of choice in lots of areas.
- Go to: www.pinpoint.org.uk
5. Get help to stay where you are
This might seem odd advice to a home-seeker. But you could get expert help to tackle a problem that has prompted you to look for a move.
Look at renting, buying, swapping or staying. You may be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer.