House shares and lodging

A room in a shared house offers a cheaper alternative to renting a complete self-contained unit and may give you a chance to save some money towards a deposit for your own place.  It also gives you an opportunity meet new people and to get support from others going through a similar experience.

If you are under 35 with no children and will be relying on housing benefit to cover your rent payments then you may need to consider renting a room in a shared house rather than renting self-contained accommodation.  This is because the housing benefit you are entitled to is limited to the shared room rate.

Lodging is another cheap alternative to renting self-contained accommodation is to become a lodger.  

Further advice on private rented accommodation including shared accommodation is available.