Finding money for a deposit, the first month's rent and things like bedding can be the hardest part of moving. There is help, but you usually need to ask before you commit to a room.
Help from your council
- Rent deposit or bond schemes. Many councils give landlords a written guarantee instead of a cash deposit, or pay the deposit for you. Ask the council's housing options team.
- Discretionary Housing Payments. These can help with a deposit, rent in advance or a shortfall in your rent, if you get Universal Credit with housing costs or Housing Benefit.
- Local crisis or welfare support. Councils run schemes that can help with essentials such as furniture, white goods and food in an emergency.
Find your council on GOV.UK.
Help through Universal Credit
- Advance payment if you're waiting for your first payment. It's paid back from later payments.
- Budgeting advance if you've been getting Universal Credit for a while. It can help with things like rent in advance or moving costs, and is paid back too.
Ask through your online account or your work coach. Only borrow what you need: repayments reduce your payments for months.
Charities and other help
- Turn2us has a grants search for charitable help.
- Local furniture reuse projects often offer low-cost or free beds, sofas and kitchen items.
- If you're leaving care, your leaving care team may have a setting-up-home grant.
- Support workers, coaches and housing advice services can often apply for funds for you.
Things to check before you pay a deposit
- In England, a tenancy deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Ask which one.
- A holding deposit can be no more than one week's rent.
- Get a receipt for every payment.
See also our help with moving costs page, which finds your council for you.