Homelessness prevention and advice

Newham Council understands that many people would prefer a council or housing association home. However, there are far more people needing social housing than there are homes available. Because of this, the Council often has to look at private rented accommodation as the most realistic way to help people move into a settled home.

1) What is the private rented sector?

The private rented sector means homes owned by private landlords or companies, rather than by the Council or a housing association. Recent changes to the law have given tenants stronger protections and greater security. The Council can support you to find and secure a private rented home that meets your needs.

2. Will I get a council home?

Newham has very high demand for social housing, with more than 50,000 people waiting as of July 2026 and as few as 600 council and housing association homes becoming available each year.

Government homelessness guidance allows councils to use suitable private rented accommodation to help prevent homelessness, relieve homelessness, or meet housing duties where appropriate.While council and housing association homes remain important, there are not enough available for everyone who needs one.

For this reason, private rented accommodation is often the only practical route to a settled home within a reasonable time offering access to affordable, secure and long-term housing.

3. Would a private rented home be a good option for me?

Private rented accommodation can be a positive and practical way to move into a settled home more quickly. It can give you more choice over location, property type and when you move, and it can help avoid long stays in temporary accommodation. A suitable private rented home can therefore provide a realistic, safe and timely route out of homelessness or housing uncertainty.

4. What makes a private rented home suitable?

Before you are offered a private rented home, the Council will make sure that it’s suitable for your household by considering the following things:

• condition of the property
• compliance with safety standards
• affordability of rent for your household
• size of property
• property requirements/adaptations needed by your household
• location – based on household needs including education, work, caring responsibilities, health and support requirements

Newham’s placement information also explains that the Council will try to find accommodation in the borough, but this is not always possible because of the shortage and cost of housing locally.

5. What rights will I have if I rent privately?

Recent changes in law (Renters Rights Act 2025) have significantly increased tenant rights. The new Act is designed to give tenants in the private rented sector greater security and stronger protections.

• More security in your home – Your landlord cannot ask you to leave without a legal reason.
• No fixed-term contracts – Your tenancy does not automatically end after 6 or 12 months. It continues unless you or your landlord ends it legally.
• Limits on rent increases – Your landlord can only increase your rent once every 12 months and must follow the correct legal process.
• The right to ask for a pet – You can ask your landlord if you can keep a pet. They must have a good reason if they say no.
• Safer and better homes – You have the right to ask your landlord to fix problems such as damp, mould or unsafe conditions.
• Fair treatment – A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you just because you receive benefits or have children.

6. Can I influence what private rented home is offered to me?

Yes. You can search for a private rented home you like in an area you want to live in, and the Council will determine if it meets required condition and safety standards and is affordable for you. The Council can negotiate rent and tenancy terms with the landlord or agent and help with a deposit or rent in advance, where this is appropriate, to help secure the property for you.

If you do not find a suitable property yourself, the Council will search for properties for you through its landlord and agent network. Any such offer will be based on the Councils assessment of your needs rather than your preferences of location or type of property.

7. Can I refuse an offer of a private rented home made by the Council?

You should speak to the Council straight away if you are worried about an offer. The Council will consider your concerns before deciding what happens next. If the Council decides the offer is suitable and you refuse it, this may be viewed as your making yourself intentionally homeless, which would affect the support available to you, including temporary accommodation.

If, after considering your concerns, the Council decides that the offer is suitable and you still disagree, it is advised that you move into the property whilst you request a review of the decision. If your review is upheld, you will be offered an alternative property. If you do not move in and the review is not upheld, the property will no longer be available, the Council will have no duty to make any further offers of accommodation to you, and you will be required to leave any temporary accommodation provided.

8. What support is available to help me keep a private rented home?

The Council provides tenancy sustainment support to help you settle and maintain your tenancy along with support to deal with any issues with your landlord.

9. Will I still be on the housing register if I move into a private rented home?

This depends on your circumstances and the housing duty that applies to you. Accepting a private rented property may change your position on the housing register because you may no longer have reasonable preference because of homelessness. Generally, if you move to another borough you will no longer be eligible for the Newham housing register.