Living in the UK

Summary of sections: 

  1. Health (GP, dentist, optician information and registration, mental and sexual health support, carer support, registering births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships etc)
  2. Housing (information on buying, renting, social housing, household services such as rubbish collection, information on fly tipping, etc)
  3. Education (information on early years, schools and beyond)
  4. Transport (using public transport, driving your own vehicle, etc)
  5. Information on other services such as Banking, using Post office, TV, Telephone, etc and Hillingdon People magazine, HillingdonFirst card

2. HOUSING

2.2. Private Renting

This is a house, flat or bed-sit rented from a private landlord (not a council property). 


Find a place  

  • Ask friends and family.


  • Search online: If you have access to the internet you can look for properties on the following property sites:



  • Check notice boards (in shop windows, supermarkets, post Office).

  • Check local newspapers.

  • Advertise yourself: Use free websites such as Spare Room or Gumtree or post your advert on social media sites.

  • Letting agents (a company that will help you find a place, and will charge you money)



When you visit a place, ask the landlord:

  • When you can move in

  • Deposit and rent in advance – money you pay before you can move.

  • Rent

  • Council tax

  • Gas/electricity/water bills

  • How and when rent is to be paid (cash/cheque etc)

  • How long you can rent it for


Note:  Find out the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for the area you are looking at properties.



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