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Private Rent

Renting a property from a private landlord is an option for anyone over the age of 16 and there are all sorts of different properties available from flats, houses, shared accommodation and bedsits to rooms rented out in the landlord's house. Choosing a private rented property gives you more choice of where you would like to live with the possibility of a quick tenancy start date. You can conduct your own search from smaller independent private landlords or contacting local estate agents for vacant properties matching your housing need.​

What is a private tenancy?

A private tenancy is where a tenant rents a property from a landlord or a letting agent. This is normally secured by signing a tenancy agreement. This is a legally binding contract that sets out the terms and conditions of a tenancy, between landlord and tenant.

There are different types of tenancy agreements. However, your landlord is legally required to provide a Private Residential Tenancy agreement, no matter what the type.

Private residential tenancy

New private rented sector tenancies, created on or after 1st December 2017, will be private residential tenancies.

The most significant change is that private residential tenancies have no fixed duration and can only be ended by the tenant giving notice, or where the landlord can prove one of 18 grounds for eviction.

Further advice and information on Private Rental Tenancy Types can be found at Shelter Scotland - The tenancy agreement and Scottish Government - Private renting.

Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the name for Housing Benefit for private tenants.

The amount of LHA you can get depends on:

  • who lives with you and how many bedrooms you need
  • the area you live in
  • what money you have coming in
  • what savings you have

From January 2012, single claimants under 35 years old will get LHA rate for one room shared.

Please see table below for LHA Rates in Fife Payable (Weekly) for 2022-23:

Area

One room

One bed

Two beds

Three beds

Four beds

Fife

£70.19

£86.30

£109.32

£132.33

£195.62

Please visit our Housing Benefit page for further information on Local Housing Allowance Rates in Fife and other Local Authorities. You can also make a claim for Local Housing Allowance from here.

You can also search available private lets and get an idea of average property costs via the links below;

Properties To Rent in Fife | Rightmove

SmartMaps - Property to rent in Fife - Zoopla

Fife Housing Group - Your Place

Fife Housing Group offer properties to let in the private sector through their subsidiary, Yourplace.

Fife Private Rental Solutions

Fife Private Rental Solutions (FPRS) is Fife’s new Private Rented Sector Hub - providing advice and assistance to anyone interested in the private rented sector as a housing option. They can also assist people who are already private rental tenants if they are encountering issues in their tenancy.

If you are considering the private rented sector, staff will look at affordability and maximization of your income, allowing you to consider all your options for housing; they can advise how to go about a property search; the requirements of a private rental tenancy; and help you to source the funds to obtain a property.

If you are already renting in the private rented sector and are experiencing difficulties, the FPRS team are there to help. They will work with you, and your landlord, to resolve any rent or other tenancy related issue; working together to help sustain your tenancy.

FPRS can also assist private sector landlords with issues they are having with their private rented properties.

Due to changes in housing legislation, in particular the introduction of the Private Residential Tenancy Agreement; private rented properties may now be a more accessible, affordable and sustainable housing option. For more information, please contact the FPRS team on 01592 201849, email info@fprs.co.uk, visit their website https://www.trustinfife.org.uk/services/fife-keyfund-fife-private-rental-solutions/ or send a message on Twitter (@trustinfife) or Facebook (@TIF.Trustinfife)

Service Update

November 2023 - Customer Survey

We want to hear from you! Fife Housing Register are running a customer survey from November 2023 to January 2024. We want to hear from applicants who have either completed their housing journey with us or are currently on our waiting list. Your answers could help us improve our service in the future. Please see the below link to the survey;

FHR SURVEY

June 2023 - The Fife Housing Register Team have moved base from New City House, Dunfermline to Brunton House, Cowdenbeath. Any Post being sent to the FHR Team should be sent to the following;

Fife Housing Register Team, Cowdenbeath Customer Service Centre, Brunton House, High Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9QU.

Alternatively you can;-

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