Useful links

This page provides links to resources for prospective or current tenants and for landlords, including where to get advice and support.

For tenants

Shelter Housing Advice

Advice on the housing options available, your rights and responsibilities and how to find support and assistance if you require it. Also includes links to local advice services and a helpline for urgent issues.

Citizens Advice

Mostly volunteer-run service with more than 400 bureaux across England and Wales providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice, online and by phone, on a wide range of issues including housing.

Crisis private tenant advice

A gateway to information on the private rented sector in the UK, and a comprehensive resource for private sector landlords, tenants, and those wishing to rent in the private sector.

Brent Private Tenants Group

Campaigns for better local services and better laws to protect private tenants, and operates a Housing Advice Centre offering specialist housing advice.

Camden Federation of Private Tenants
Camden Federation of Private Tenants (CFPT) is an independent voluntary organisation run by and for private tenants in Camden.

The Tenant Services Authority

The new regulator for affordable housing, with a stated aim of improving standards of services in affordable housing and increasing the voice and influence of tenants.

Direct.gov advice on housing benefit

Advice on eligibility for housing benefit, how to claim, and what to do if your circumstances change.

LHA Direct

This service from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) enables tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them from their Local Authority. Includes Local Housing Allowance rates for England, Scotland and Wales.

London Government Directory

The London Government Directory, produced by London Councils, provides contact details and local information for the 33 London boroughs.

For landlords

The Valuation Office Agency - Lettings Research

The VOA lettings data is kindly contributed by landlords, lettings/management agents and tenants primarily to help Rent Officers provide a number of statutory determinations for Housing Benefit and Rent Act 1977 purposes.  Housing Benefit plays a key role in helping to maintain over 1 million private tenancies in England each year.  Rent Officers welcome support to maintain and further improve their unique private lettings information resource.

The London Landlord Accreditation Scheme

Set up by a partnership of landlord organisations, London Councils and university accommodation units, this scheme provides landlords across London with information and professional development opportunities to improve their business and to provide their tenants with safe and high quality accommodation.

Association of Residential Lettings Agents

With 3,500 member offices throughout the country, ARLA is the professional and regulatory body for letting agents for the UK. Membership is achieved only by agents who demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of their profession and that they conduct their business according to current best management practice.

National Landlords Association

The leading independent national organisation for private residential landlords, providing a unified voice for private landlords throughout the UK and promoting and protecting members' interests to national and local government.

British Property Federation

The British Property Federation (BPF) seeks to protect and promote the needs of landlords and amplify their voice to local, London and national Governments. Our members believe in a professional rented sector and want to promote private renting as a positive housing choice.

Gumtree guide for new landlords

Advice and tips for those landlords new to the business.