Getting ready for your new home

The Getting Ready For Your New Home (PDF) [204KB]  Planner is useful for planning a move to a new home.

Housing Benefit

If you already receive Housing Benefit you'll need to make sure that this is updated to your new home to take effect from the day you get your keys. Visit the Change Your Address page for more information, or make a fresh application through the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction page of this website.

Apply for Housing Benefit as soon as you are offered permanent accommodation, you will be charged rent from the day you get your keys. If you don't take care of this, you could very quickly end up in debt.

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax is due for all homes and all homes have to pay water and sewerage charges, even if on full benefits.  You may also be entitled to Council Tax Reduction depending on your individual circumstances. More information is available on our Apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and/or Housing Benefit (HB) page.

Furnishings

No offer of permanent accommodation, either Council or Housing Association, will come furnished.  It is your responsibility to get things like a bed or seats for your living room and electrical goods for your kitchen.

If family or friends are replacing any of their old household furniture, or cookers, fridge/freezers etc, ask them if they can keep their old ones until you get your own place. 

Utensils and Appliances

You will need pots and pans, plates and cutlery, kettle, iron, and a vacuum cleaner. Buying all these things on a limited income can be difficult, but again friends and family may be willing to donate second-hand items.

Insurance

When you rent a property your landlord is responsible for making sure the building is insured.  As the tenant, you will be responsible for insuring your own furniture and personal belongings - including mobile phones - against theft, fire, flood and other potential damage. 

TV Licence

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder. If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum fine of up to £1,000. You will also still have to buy a TV Licence if you need one.

To find out more, go to tvlicensing.co.uk/info