Privately Rented Accommodation

• Estate Agents: Many act as agents for private landlords, and advertise their properties for them. Estate agents often have their own lists of accommodation to let, and advertise every Friday in the Sheffield Telegraph's Property Guide. Most are listed in the Yellow Pages and have their own websites. You can download the list of Accommodation Agencies at the bottom of this page

• Lettings Agencies: There are a range of lettings agencies in Sheffield who specialise in renting out accommodation. Download the List of Accommodation Agencies at the bottom of this page

• Individual Landlords: It is possible to find individual landlord's details in various places. Sheffield City Council and the two Universities' support a Responsible Landlord Scheme and details of the properties available under this scheme can be found on the Sheffield Property Shop website.  Details of landlords can also be found in the Star Newspaper – Thursday night's edition, in the Sheffield Telegraph's Property Guide out on Friday's, in local Post Offices, newsagents, and by word of mouth.

• Student Accommodation:  Both Universities have their own accommodation offices which are there to help potential and existing students access accommodation –this includes their own halls of residence and with registered private landlords. Visit their websites at University of Sheffield Accommodation and Sheffield Hallam University Accommodation

Common problems getting Private Rented Accommodation:

• Many landlords ask for a returnable bond in advance. See the section on the Bonds & Deposits web page for information on bonds and bond guarantees. There are bond guarantee schemes or you may be able to apply to the Social Fund for help with paying a bond. 

• Many landlords ask for rent in advance – it is legal for them to do this. They will often ask for 4 weeks or a month's rent in advance. You may be able to apply to the Social Fund for help with this. Information on claiming   Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance to help pay for private rented accommodation.
  Some landlords will not accept people if they will have to claim Housing Benefit to help them pay the rent.

• Information on Housing Benefit issues.

• Rights to stay in the property - most new private tenants have less rights than people renting from the City Council, or housing associations. See the Private Tenants web pages for more information.

• Some landlords will not accept people if they will have to claim Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance to help them pay the rent.