Housing
Finding somewhere to live is a large part of making your move. You may need to decide whether you want to rent a home or buy one.
In this section:
Renting a home
You can rent a home from a private landlord, your local council, or a housing association.
Private rented housing
Many people rent in the private sector. Most properties are advertised on the internet by letting agents and estate agents and you can search in the area you want to live in. Agents cannot charge for finding you a property; they can only charge for rent itself and any deposits. There are also no fees for viewing a property, dealing with references or check-ins.
Make sure you understand whether the property comes with or without furniture. Be careful when looking for a home and only deal with reputable landlords or agents.
When you’ve found somewhere to live, you’ll be asked to sign a tenancy agreement and pay a deposit. You should read the agreement carefully so you know about the responsibilities involved. You will get your deposit back when you leave if you haven’t done any damage. As a tenant, you’ll have both rights and responsibilities, as will the person renting the property to you. There are also processes to handle any complaints you may have.
Renting from a local council or housing association
There is generally a shortage of council or housing association properties in many areas and waiting lists can be long. You will be assessed on need and your eligibility for housing may depend on your immigration status.
Buying a home
Most people use an estate agent to buy a home. Many have offices on the high street and most have websites designed to help you in your search. Remember that an estate agent is working for the seller of the property. When you negotiate the price, the agent has a duty to get the best price for the seller so you must always be careful.
The method of selling homes in Scotland isn’t the same as in the other parts of the UK. Once you’ve made an offer on a property in Scotland and it has been accepted, you’ve entered a legally binding contract and neither side can easily withdraw.
You will need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to carry out the legal work involved. It’s important to check the fee before you tell them to go ahead.
- Law society
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers
- Choosing a solicitor or conveyancer (Citizens Advice Scoltand)
Most people borrow money from a bank or building society to buy a home. The loan is called a mortgage and is usually paid back over a long time (for example, 25 years). You will pay interest so it’s worth looking for a good deal. The amount you can borrow will depend on your income and the size of deposit you can put down. You must work out the type of mortgage that suits you best.
It is important to pay your mortgage every month. If you don’t, you might lose your home. It may be repossessed and sold so the lender can get their money back. You must also carry out any repairs that are necessary.
The costs of running your home
Make sure you’re aware of how much it will cost to run your home. If you’re planning to rent a home then your tenancy agreement should be clear on who is responsible for the various costs. You may also need to contact utility companies to have the accounts moved to your name.
Water
Your water is supplied by a water company. You pay for your water either monthly, six-monthly or annually. Many homes now have water meters which show exactly how much water has been used. These meters are read by the water company.
Electricity and gas
All homes have electricity and most have gas. Gas may not be available if you live in a rural area. You can choose between different gas and electricity suppliers. They have different prices and terms and conditions so you have to select the one that suits you best. The company may want you to read your own meter and send them the information.
Telephone
Most homes already have a telephone line, which is often known as a landline. If you need a new line, contact a telephone service provider or a cable company. Many companies offer landline, mobile phone and broadband internet services.
Council tax
Council tax pays for your local services, including refuse collection, libraries, leisure centres, parks, policing, and the fire brigade. The amount you pay depends on the size of your home and how many people live in it. You may get a discount if you live alone.
Buildings insurance
A home with a mortgage must be insured against damage to the building caused, for example, by fire, burst water pipes or a falling tree. This insurance usually covers accidental damage to fixtures and fittings as well. The landlord arranges this insurance for rented buildings.
Household contents insurance
If you own a home or have property in a home, it is wise to insure your possessions against theft or damage. You can often add ‘personal possessions cover’ to insure against loss or theft of items when you’re out and about or travelling abroad.
Television licence
Every household has to pay for a television (TV) licence if they watch live TV or any content made by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This includes ‘catch up’ TV on BBC iPlayer.
It applies whether you’re watching on a TV, laptop, computer, tablet or mobile phone.
If you watch BBC content without a TV licence, you may be fined.