When looking for a property, it is a good idea to consider looking outside of Barnet and outside of London. Outside of Barnet you are likely to find more properties which are affordable, meaning that your income or benefits will go further and your cost of living will generally be lower.

How to look for properties

You can look for properties by visiting lettings agents, looking through local newspapers, and checking local notice boards. You should also look online on sites such as Zoopla, RightMove and, Gumtree.

Some websites advertise properties specifically for tenants on Housing Benefit, such as:

You can also access a list of lettings agents at the bottom of this page: http://www.dssmove.co.uk/find-an-agent

For tips on how to rent when a landlord won’t accept housing benefit, you can look at:

For single people, finding a room in a shared house – or temporarily staying in a hostel – can be a quick and cheap method to find accommodation:

Please note: Barnet Homes does not endorse the external companies listed on this page.

Important tips:

  • If you find a property to rent, make sure that you will be able to afford it. If you are on Housing Benefit, check if Local Housing Allowance will cover the cost before you contact the landlord. To calculate your LHA rate, see:
  • If you move into accommodation secured through a lettings agent, you may be charged a fee by the lettings agent.
  • Instead of phoning letting agents to ask if they have suitable properties, it can be better to visit an area and meet agents face-to-face. If agents like you when they meet you in person, they may be more likely to help you find a property.
  • For money advice, contact the Money Advice Service free on 0300 500 5000.

For more information regarding renting in the private sector, you can contact Shelter, a housing law charity on 0808 800 4444. Or, see their website for detailed information about housing law, tenants’ rights, and applying for housing benefits: http://england.shelter.org.uk.