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Frequently asked questions

See answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:

Before you apply for a home

What types of homes do you have to rent?

We offer affordable homes across England and Scotland, including flats, apartments, houses and bungalows, as well as communal and supported living for over 55s.

How do I find a home to rent?

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 property becomes available within your search criteria. 

What if I am homeless?

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

I have medical needs. Can I still apply? 

All our properties 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 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 would advise that you contact your Local Authority as they can give priority for medical needs.

What if I’ve never had a tenancy before, can I still apply? 

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

Do I need to pay a bond or deposit? 

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. The exact amount will be confirmed by a member of our team. Some of our partners have different terms and may require a bond. This will always be stated in the individual property advert.   

Are there any age restrictions on the homes?

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 exclude these properties. If you apply for a property and do not meet the age criteria, your application won’t be successful. 

Am I allowed pets?

Some of our homes to rent do allow pets to be kept. This will depend on the type of property you are applying for. You can check on the individual property listings for more details.  

Can I apply from abroad?

You can apply from abroad as long as you, and anyone over the age of 16 moving with you, are able to provide proof of Right to Rent in the UK. The property you apply for would also have to be your sole main residence. You should be able to submit an application from abroad as all our applications are processed online. If your application is successful, you would need to come to the viewing in person as this needs to be carried out by the main applicant(s). If you like the home and decide to proceed with your application, we would take a payment from you, ask you to sign the tenancy agreement and hand you the keys on the day of the viewing. 

How is my data handled?

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 email the Data Protection Officer.  

Finding a home

How do I find a home?

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 property becomes available within your search criteria.  

What if I can’t see any homes in the area I’m looking at?

We do not currently have any properties which match your search criteria. You may want to try increasing the area you are searching in, or keep checking back for new properties. You can also create an account and save your search. We’ll send you an email alert every time a new property becomes available within your search criteria.

How do I set up alerts for upcoming homes? 

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 property alerts.  

I’m over 55. Do you have any specific homes which I may be interested in? 

We offer attractive, affordable, and secure homes to rent, including purpose-built accommodation for the over 55s – with 24-hour support in emergency situations 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 property.  

How many bedrooms am I allowed to apply for? 

We look at individual applications and make decisions based on whether the home is affordable. Generally we would allow people to have an extra bedroom providing they are able to afford the property.  

What if a home is showing as under offer? 

This means that someone has been offered the property but 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. 

What if I’m looking for a garage or a car parking space?

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.  

Applying for a home

How do I apply for a home? 

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 property becomes available within your search criteria.  

What checks will be done as part of my application? 

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, this may include a credit check. We may also carry out reference checks where required.  

Can I look at the property before I apply?

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.  

When will you contact me regarding my application?

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.  

Can I find out what position I am on the waiting list?

Due to the high volume of applications, we can’t share your position in the waiting list. We allocate properties 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, please look at some of our other homes to rent.  

How do I know if my application has been successful?

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

I have applied for a property, why it is still showing as available on the website?

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

I have been applying for properties for a long time, why have I not been successful? 

Our homes can be in high-demand, especially in the London area and properties with 3 bedrooms or more. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis for each individual property. 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  
I responded to a saved search notification immediately but my application was still unsuccessful, why is this?

We are adding new properties 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 property in a high-demand area, we would advise you to regularly check the website rather than waiting for the notification.  

What is the minimum rental period? 

Places for People offers monthly tenancies, and we request four weeks’ notice if you are looking to move home. 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 property advert.  

Verifying my identity

Why can’t I upload my documents? 

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.  

What documents do you accept as proof of address? 

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  
  • current tenancy agreement  
What if I don’t have any wage slips to supply?

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.

What if I am self-employed? 

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