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Finding accommodation

Finding the Right Place to Live

Moving into your own space is an exciting step, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re leaving home for the first time, starting college, or beginning a new job, finding accommodation that suits your needs and budget is important. This section is here to guide you through the process—helping you understand your options, what to look out for, and how to make informed decisions. 

Your local council can help you with housing.

This means they can give you advice and help with things like:

  • Staying in your home or finding a new one.
  • What types of homes are available nearby.

Your council can help if:

  • You have a problem with your home.
  • You don’t have a home or might lose yours.
  • You want to apply for a home in your area.
  • You need changes to your home because of a disability.
  • Your home needs repairs.
  • You need help paying for a deposit or rent before you move in.
  • You want to apply for help with housing or council tax costs.
  • You need advice about other housing issues.

Important:
In Hampshire, lots of people want council or housing association homes. This means it can take a long time to get one. It’s not a quick fix.

What should you do first?
Talk to your local council. They will explain how to apply for a home. Each council has its own rules. Some have waiting lists or housing registers. Others use something called “allocation pools.”

When you apply, the council looks at what you need and compares it to other people who also need homes. People with the biggest need usually get homes first.

Some councils use “choice-based lettings.” This means they show homes that are available, and you can say which ones you like. This is called “bidding.”

For more details, speak to your local council or check their website.

Find contact details for your local district council by adding your postcode to the search bar on this site.

Your local council can help you with housing.

This means they can give you advice and help with things like:

  • Staying in your home or finding a new one.
  • What types of homes are available nearby.

Your council can help if:

  • You have a problem with your home.
  • You don’t have a home or might lose yours.
  • You want to apply for a home in your area.
  • You need changes to your home because of a disability.
  • Your home needs repairs.
  • You need help paying for a deposit or rent before you move in.
  • You want to apply for help with housing or council tax costs.
  • You need advice about other housing issues.

Important:
In Hampshire, lots of people want council or housing association homes. This means it can take a long time to get one. It’s not a quick fix.

What should you do first?
Talk to your local council. They will explain how to apply for a home. Each council has its own rules. Some have waiting lists or housing registers. Others use something called “allocation pools.”

When you apply, the council looks at what you need and compares it to other people who also need homes. People with the biggest need usually get homes first.

Some councils use “choice-based lettings.” This means they show homes that are available, and you can say which ones you like. This is called “bidding.”

For more details, speak to your local council or check their website.

Find contact details for your local district council by adding your postcode to the search bar on this site.

Different district and borough councils allocate housing in their local area differently. Visit your district or borough council's housing information: 

In Hampshire you start the process off by registering with Hampshire Home Choice. You may need help to do this so reach out to an adult if you need to.

Guide to registering on Home Choice Hampshire

Or watch the video:

 

 

Different district and borough councils allocate housing in their local area differently. Visit your district or borough council's housing information: 

In Hampshire you start the process off by registering with Hampshire Home Choice. You may need help to do this so reach out to an adult if you need to.

Guide to registering on Home Choice Hampshire

Or watch the video:

 

 

Different landlords have different kinds of homes and rents.

  • Some homes are social rent – these is usually the cheapest.
  • Some homes are affordable rent – this is a bit more expensive. It’s about 80% of what homes cost on the open market or based on local rules.

Landlords also have different rules about how long you can stay in the home. This is called security of tenure. It depends on the type of home and the landlord.

There are different types of agreements (called tenancies) for renting homes. You can find these in the links below.

Tenancies offered by local councils that have retained their housing stock

Tenancies offered by local housing associations

Different landlords have different kinds of homes and rents.

  • Some homes are social rent – these is usually the cheapest.
  • Some homes are affordable rent – this is a bit more expensive. It’s about 80% of what homes cost on the open market or based on local rules.

Landlords also have different rules about how long you can stay in the home. This is called security of tenure. It depends on the type of home and the landlord.

There are different types of agreements (called tenancies) for renting homes. You can find these in the links below.

Tenancies offered by local councils that have retained their housing stock

Tenancies offered by local housing associations

Sometimes the council can give homeless people a place to stay for a short time. This is called temporary accommodation. It’s for emergencies so people don’t have to sleep outside.

To get this help, the council has to think you:

  • Can get help (eligible)
  • Have no home (homeless)
  • Really need help (priority need)

To keep staying there, the council must also think you:

  • Didn’t become homeless on purpose
  • You have a link to the area (like you live or work there or have family there)

If you don’t have a link to the area, the council might send you to another place where you do have a link.

If you want to know more or need help, talk to your local council.

Sometimes the council can give homeless people a place to stay for a short time. This is called temporary accommodation. It’s for emergencies so people don’t have to sleep outside.

To get this help, the council has to think you:

  • Can get help (eligible)
  • Have no home (homeless)
  • Really need help (priority need)

To keep staying there, the council must also think you:

  • Didn’t become homeless on purpose
  • You have a link to the area (like you live or work there or have family there)

If you don’t have a link to the area, the council might send you to another place where you do have a link.

If you want to know more or need help, talk to your local council.

Supported Housing
This means special homes that give people some extra help.

  • These homes are for people who need support, like help with daily life.
  • The help can be given in different ways by different people.
  • The homes can be:
    • Self-contained (your own flat)
    • Shared (you live with other people)

Some homes are called group living. This is like sharing a big house with a few people who have similar needs. These are mostly for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Most group living homes are run by charities or housing associations.

If you want to know more, talk to your local Adult Services office or visit the Supporting People website.

Please go to Shelter for further advice.  

Supported Housing
This means special homes that give people some extra help.

  • These homes are for people who need support, like help with daily life.
  • The help can be given in different ways by different people.
  • The homes can be:
    • Self-contained (your own flat)
    • Shared (you live with other people)

Some homes are called group living. This is like sharing a big house with a few people who have similar needs. These are mostly for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Most group living homes are run by charities or housing associations.

If you want to know more, talk to your local Adult Services office or visit the Supporting People website.

Please go to Shelter for further advice.  

Helpful links