Finding somewhere to live

Information about different types of housing arrangements, including specialist housing.

You can get advice from an organisation such as Mencap, Citizens Advice or Shelter England if you are looking for a place to rent.

These organisations will be able to tell you your rights and responsibilities in law.

Mencap has joined with housing charity, Shelter, to provide some of Mencap’s easy read guides to housing.

Different types of housing arrangements

Private renting - you rent a whole home from another person who is your landlord

This usually means that:

  • the landlord does not live in the property with you
  • you pay the landlord a fixed amount of money every month so that you can live in the accommodation
  • you sign an agreement which says what you and the landlord agree to do so that you can live in the accommodation

This is often called a tenancy agreement.

There are many things to find out before you sign a tenancy agreement to rent accommodation privately through a landlord. Find out more at:

Private renting - shared housing

If you live in rented accommodation, you may rent a room in a house shared with others, rather than having the whole property to yourself and your family.

There are some things to know if you are going to be joining a shared house. Find out more at:

Council or social renting

This is where you rent your home from a district or borough council, or a social housing organisation, rather than a private landlord.

It is sometimes called social or council housing. Find out how to apply for this type of housing from your local district or borough council.

They can also advise you about other housing options, including sheltered housing and affordable rented housing.

Shared ownership

This government scheme lets people buy part of a home and pay rent on the part they don’t own. It can help people buy a property they couldn’t afford otherwise. There’s a lot to think about before choosing shared ownership.

Specialist housing through Adults' Social Care in West Sussex

Housing available with an assessment

If you need more support you may require an assessment under the Care Act 2014, which is completed by West Sussex County Council. This is an assessment of social care strengths and needs.

As a result of the assessment, you might be eligible for support to meet your care and support needs. This support can be delivered in your own home, or accommodation provided by the council or a private landlord.

The assessment might find that you require care that can only be received in specialist accommodation. The kind of accommodation and services that are available depend on your need but can include:

Paying for your accommodation and social care

Where your accommodation is linked to support services, you will need a financial assessment, which will then work out how much you must pay towards any social care. You are also expected to apply for the appropriate benefits or have sufficient funds available to meet the obligations of the tenancy.

Further information is available on the following pages:

Requesting support and a Care Act assessment from adult social care

If you do not already have a health and social care professional working with you, you can find out more about having an assessment by contacting our adults services Carepoint team.

If you do not have anywhere to live and are homeless

If you are homeless, or you are at risk of losing your home, you can contact the housing office at your local district or borough council.

Find other organisations that may be able to help on our help with homelessness page.

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