Frequently asked questions

We provide affordable homes across England and Scotland – from flats and apartments to houses and bungalows – along with welcoming communal and supported living options for people aged 55 and over.

You can search & apply for a home online. If you can’t find the home you are looking for, you can create an account and save your searches to stay updated. We’ll send you an email alert when a new home becomes available within your search criteria.  

Saved search email alerts only get sent out once a day around 8pm.

You will need to contact your Local Authority as they can give priority for homeless applicants. All our homes are let on a first come, first served basis via our website, subject to reference and affordability checks. If you are homeless, you are more than welcome to apply for a home, but please be aware that we are unable to give priority based on housing needs.  

All our homes are let on a first come, first served basis via our website, subject to reference and affordability checks. If you have medical needs, you are more than welcome to apply for a home, but please be aware that we are unable to give priority based on housing or medical needs.

If your needs mean that you require a home more urgently, we advise that you contact your Local Authority as they can give priority for medical needs.

If you haven’t held a tenancy before then you can still apply for a home in the usual way, but we may seek a character reference as well as relevant documents to help in verifying your identity. We will also go through an affordability check with you to make sure you are aware of and can afford your household bills.  

No, Places for People does not ask for a bond or deposit. You will be asked to pay a minimum of two full weeks’ rent at sign-up. A member of our team will be able to tell you the exact amount. However, some of our partners have different terms and may require a bond. This will always be stated in the advert.  

Some of our homes do have age restrictions, for example we offer homes for over 55s. This will always be made clear in the details, or you can filter your search to not show these homes. If you apply for a home and do not meet the age criteria, your application won’t be successful. 

Some of our homes to rent do allow pets to be kept. This will depend on the type of home you are applying for. 

You can apply from abroad if you - and anyone over the age of 16 moving with you - can provide proof of your Right to Rent in the UK so that we can determine if you have the legal right to live in the UK.

The home that you apply for should also be the only home that you live in. You should be able to apply abroad, as all our applications are processed online.  

If your application is successful, you will need to come to the viewing in person as this needs to be carried out by the person who applied. If you like the home and decide to go ahead with your application, we will take a payment from you, ask you to sign the tenancy agreement, and we will hand you the keys on the day of the viewing.  

Places for People Homes Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services. Our Privacy Policy explains how we use your information and protect your privacy.  

We have a Data Protection Officer who makes sure we respect your rights and follow the law. If you have any concerns or questions about how we look after your personal information, please contact our Data Protection Officer at data.protection@placesforpeople.co.uk

You can search & apply for a home online. If you can’t find the home you are looking for you can save a search to stay updated. We’ll send you an email alert when a new home becomes available within your search criteria.  

Saved search email alerts only get sent out once a day, around 8pm.

If we do not have homes that meet your needs, you may want to try increasing the area you are searching in or keep checking back for new homes. You can also create an account and save your search. We’ll send you an email alert every time a new home becomes available within your search criteria. 

Saved search email alerts only get sent out once a day, around 8pm. 

If you create an account, our search tool will allow you to save your search.  

On your search results page, click the red button in the top right hand corner which says ‘Save this search’. (You’ll need to sign in before you can do this).  

Once saved, you’ll be given the option to ‘View or remove your saved searches’.  

Make sure you have checked the box which says ‘Email me when new matching properties become available’ to receive alerts.  

Saved search email alerts only get sent out once a day, around 8pm.

We offer attractive, affordable, and secure homes to rent, including purpose-built homes for the over 55s – with 24-hour support in emergencies should you need it. You can choose to ‘Only show homes for the over 55s’ from our dropdown menu when you are searching for a home.  

When providing a suitable home, we look at the needs of the Customer and make sure the home is appropriate for them and/or their family. Homes are given based on the following criteria and how they meet the Customer: 

• Size of the family and number of bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple 1 or 2 bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple + 1 child 2 bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple + 2 child* 2 or 3 bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple + 3 child* 3 or 4 bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple + 4 child* 4 or 5 bedrooms.
• Single applicant / couple + 5 or more children* 5 or 6 bedrooms. 
• individual calculation on a case-by-case basis 7 or more bedrooms 

*Depending on the age and sex of the children

• A boy and a girl under 10 years of age can share a bedroom.
• Two same sex children under 16 years of age can share a bedroom.
• A child of 16 years will each get a bedroom. 

Pregnancy and household size 

For pregnant applicants, the unborn child will be counted as part of the household when we assess the size of home needed. We’ll just need confirmation of the pregnancy, the baby’s due date, and evidence to prove this. Applicants will still need to meet our affordability requirements based on their current situation. 

Avoiding overcrowding 

We’ll never offer a home that would lead to statutory overcrowding. 

Larger homes 

For our larger homes with four bedrooms or more, we work with the Local Authority through their nomination process to match the home with people who have a priority need. If no Customers are identified through this process, we’ll let the home in line with this policy. 

Under-occupation 

In some cases, we may allow one spare bedroom – either to help us manage our homes effectively or on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will need to meet our affordability criteria to show they can cover the cost of the extra room, and provide any evidence we need to support the application. 

‘Under offer’ means that someone has been offered the home but has not signed the agreement, as the lettings process is ongoing. There is always a possibility that they may decide not to choose the home when they view it. 

We post all our available garages/car parking spaces on our website. You can search and apply in the same way you would look for a home. Simply select ‘Garage’ from the property type dropdown menu on the search page.  

To apply for a garage or car parking space, you will need to create an account. Once you have logged in, go to the garage or car parking space you wish to apply for and select ‘apply for property’. This will take you directly to our online application form and the details will automatically be filled in for you at the top of the page.  

If you are an existing Customer, and there are no garages or parking spaces advertised on our website, please contact us via online services to register your interest in a garage with the local Lettings Manager.  

You can search & apply for a home online. If you can’t find the home you are looking for, you can create an account and save your search to stay updated. We’ll send you an email alert when a new home becomes available within your search criteria.  

Saved search email alerts only get sent out once a day around 8pm. 

Find out more about applying for a home.

You must verify your identity by uploading your documents before you can submit your application. You will need to provide proof of ID, address and income.  

We carry out affordability checks to ensure you would be able to afford the rent and associated household costs in your new home. We may also carry out reference checks where required.  

Due to the high volume of applicants, we aren’t able to show people around our homes before they apply. We try to post photographs of the inside and outside of our homes to give you a good idea of what they are like. We also post the location, so you are free to explore the local area before choosing to apply.  

Due to the high volume of applications and available homes, we will only contact you if your application has been successful. Successful applicants will be contacted within 5 working days.  

Due to the high volume of applications, we can’t share your position in the waiting list. We allocate homes on a first come, first served basis and successful applicants will be contacted within 5 working days.  

If you haven’t heard after this time, it most likely means your application was not successful. Please look at some of our other homes to rent. 

Due to the high volume of applications and available homes, we will only contact you if your application has been successful. We allocate homes on a first come, first served basis. Successful applicants will be contacted within 5 working days.  

We will be currently considering the next applicant on the list. If you are to be considered for the home, one of our Colleagues will contact you directly.  

Our homes can be in high demand, especially in the London area and those with 3 bedrooms or more. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis for each individual home.  

Your position on our shortlist is not affected by the length of time you have been registered with us. Your application may not be successful because:   

• We had already received several verified applications.  
• You did not provide all your verification documents.  
• You did not meet the criteria.  

We are adding new homes to the website throughout the day. However, our saved search notifications are sent once per day in the evening. If you are searching for a home in a high-demand area, we would advise you to regularly check the website rather than waiting for the notification.

Depending on the type of tenancy you are granted for your home, this differs. However, we will explain to you upon successful application what the terms would be. Some of our partners have different terms, such as a six-month minimum rental period and fixed tenancy, but this will always be stated in the individual home advert.  

You cannot transfer internally within Places for People until you have lived in your home for a minimum of 12 months. At any time, you wish to wish you leave your home with us, you will be required to give us a minimum of four weeks' written notice. 

You must verify your identity by uploading your documents before you can submit your application.  

Please make sure you are trying to upload an image or pdf file only.  

You can upload documents to your online application by:  

• Taking a photograph directly from your smart phone (you will need to allow your browser to access your camera first)  
• Uploading a photograph from your library or documents  
• Uploading a PDF from your documents  

Please make sure:  

• The size of each document does not exceed 4MB  
• The documents are PDF, JPEG or PNG files  
• You do not upload more than 5 files at the same time  
• You repeat the process until you have uploaded all your supporting documentation  
• You preview all documents before uploading them  
• Documents are clear and legible to the recipient  

If you still aren’t able to upload them, please try one of the following:  

• Sign out of your account and back in again  
• Check your internet connection  
• Access the website on a different web browser such as Google Chrome  
• Upload one document at a time  
• Upload smaller file sizes  

If you still encounter technical difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

Proof of address can be any form of written correspondence dated within the last 3 months with the applicant’s name and address on it.  We will accept one of the following as proof of address:  

• Utility bill (dated within last 3 months)
• Council tax statement
• Housing benefit letter
• Universal Credit screenshot
• Current Tenancy Agreement
• Letter from your bank (but not bank statement)
• Drivers licence  

If you do not have any of these, please upload a duplicate proof such as your ID and we will discuss any outstanding documents needed if your application is shortlisted. To find out more, please visit: Verify your identity.

We must ensure all applicants meet all requirements under the Right to Rent Policy which was introduced on the 1st of February 2016 as required by the Immigration Act 2014. 

This is a legal requirement, and anyone applying for housing in England is subject to Right to Rent checks.

For more information, please visit: Right to Rent 

Please provide us with proof of your employment, such as a job offer or letter from your employer. If your application is successful, we will discuss this further.

Please provide your self-assessment form from the last business year or a copy of your audited accounts.  

Before you move into your new home, we will ensure the home is sufficiently cleaned to meet our Home Quality Promise to you.

Sanitary fittings in the bathroom such as the bath, shower, toilet seat, and wash-hand basins will be chemically cleaned and disinfected. All kitchen units and worktops will be washed down and cleaned and will be checked if they are in good working order. 

Our team will also make sure the home is free of any rubbish, the floors are swept and mopped if appropriate, and the windows will be cleaned.  

Gardens will be cleared of rubbish and any garden shrubs, grass or hedges will be cut back to be left in a manageable condition. 

At Places for People, safety and security are our top priorities. We want every Customer to feel comfortable and confident when moving into their new home. We will carry out the relevant electrical and gas safety checks to make sure the home is compliant.

Floors will be secure and without nails or gripper rods and we'll check stairs and handrails to ensure they're secure and can be used. 

For the kitchen, all units, worktops, drawers, and sinks will be safe, and clean and will all be in good working order. 

External doors will open and close freely, be safe, and secure, and have a working lock mechanism. All broken or failed glass will be replaced, and any graffiti will be removed from the walls. 

We will decorate the home in certain circumstances, such as if the walls have mould or graffiti on them. 

As a Customer, you're free to decorate your home to suit your style once you move in. However, we understand that not everyone has the time, ability, or resources to do so right away. That's why we ensure your home is clean and in good decorative condition, so there's no need to make any changes immediately or at all. We advise that if you are stripping wallpaper, do not use a steam wallpaper stripper as this can damage the plaster. 

If you are moving into a new build, you will need to decorate without wallpaper until after the agreed defects period is complete so that any expected plaster cracks are visible and easy to repair.

In certain circumstances, we'll offer decorating vouchers.

As part of our health check, we will inspect any defects or potential damages to the home and will work to repair these before you move in.

We will ensure the external elements of your home are inspected, roofs will be watertight and free from defects, and gutter/drainage services will be free-flowing and where appropriate fitted with suitable covers.

We’ll ensure your home is equipped with a working smoke alarm system, and that the boiler is in good working order. To make managing your heating easier, it will also be fitted with a timer, a programmer, or both, so you’ll always have adequate heating when you need it.  

We do a full health check and ensure our core principles and standards in relation to safety, compliance, security, and cleanliness are covered as well as ensuring everything is in full working order before you move in. This is our Home Quality Promise to you. 

If you feel your home doesn’t meet our Home Quality Promise, please do contact us so we can understand what support you need and what improvements need to be made. 

In the first two weeks following sign-up, you can contact the Lettings and Marketing Manager either via phone or email. The Lettings and Marketing Manager will provide their contact details when you are offered the home to help make it easier for you to get in touch with them. 

After two weeks, you will need to speak to your Community Housing Manager who will be happy to help with any questions or issues you have.

If you would like to talk to someone in person, your Community Housing Manager will arrange a settling-in visit and attend your home to give you a warm welcome and share any information or support you need. Please do raise any issues you are having with the home with your Community Housing Manager.  

Find out more about our Home Quality Promise.