Get your own place

When you are ready to live on your own, you can either rent privately or from your local housing authority, or possibly buy a home. 

You will be responsible for paying your rent and bills.

Read about financial help you can get for your living costs.

We will support you to register for social housing, also known as social housing, if we agree you are ready to live on your own.

Social housing is accommodation provided through the local housing authority. Care leavers will be given priority on all seven housing authority waiting lists in Norfolk, when you move on from supported accommodation. 

You will be supported to have an interview with your local housing officer, to:  

• Explore all the housing options available
• Discuss waiting lists, the 'bid' process and how long it can take for accommodation to become available 
• Make sure you understand the responsibilities of managing your own tenancy

They may ask you to provide: 

• Your Passport to Independence  
• A tenancy awareness course certificate  
• Your pathway plan 

The bid process

Once you are on your local housing authority waiting list, you may have to 'bid' (apply) for properties on their website. Make sure you ask about this process at your housing interview.

Further information

For more information, visit your local housing authority's website:

• Norwich 
• North Norfolk 
• South Norfolk
• King's Lynn and West Norfolk 
• Great Yarmouth
• Breckland
• Broadland 

You can rent privately from a landlord (property owner). This could be through a letting agency or directly with the landlord.

You will be responsible for paying your rent and bills, so it is important to find somewhere affordable.    

Landlords often want rent in advance, a damage deposit and someone to be a guarantor. If you do not pay your rent or cause damage to the property, a guarantor must pay instead.   

Ask your social worker or personal adviser for more information about private renting. They can help you work out how much rent is affordable. This will be based on your income or the amount of Local Housing Allowance you receive through Universal Credit.     

Finding a rental property

There are many websites you can find properties for rent:

• Rightmove
• Gumtree
• Zoopla

You can also check local newspapers, or Google 'property rentals Norfolk' to find local letting agencies.

Viewing properties 

When you look at any properties, it is worth taking someone with you for support. They can help make sure you ask the right questions, so you know the property is suitable for you.

Before signing any tenancy agreement (the rental agreement between you and the landlord), it is important:  

• You are happy with the condition of the property 
• You know how much rent is and when it needs to be paid
• That an inventory check is completed. An inventory check is a list of all the items (furniture and equipment) that are in the property

Buying a home may be a possibility if you have enough money saved up for a deposit. Or it could be something you aspire to in years to come.   

If you want to learn more about this option, speak to your personal adviser.