Housing in London — renting, buying & support

London's housing is among the most expensive in the country, and the routes into a home vary a lot depending on your situation. Whether you rent privately, want to move into an affordable home, are applying for social housing through your council, or are worried about losing the place you live, this page points you to the official and trusted sources of help. Council housing and homelessness support come from your borough; affordable and part-buy homes come through the Mayor's Homes for Londoners programme; free housing advice comes from the charity Shelter.

Renting and your rights

Most private renters in London hold an assured shorthold tenancy. Your landlord has legal duties: to keep the property safe and in good repair, to protect your deposit in a government-backed scheme, to provide a gas safety certificate and an energy performance certificate, and to follow the correct legal process before ending your tenancy. You have the right to live undisturbed, to be given proper notice, and to challenge unfair treatment. GOV.UK sets out the national rules for renting, and your council's private renting or environmental health team can act if a property is unsafe.

A written tenancy agreement setting out rent, notice and responsibilities
Proof your deposit is in a protected scheme, given within 30 days
A gas safety record and a valid energy performance certificate

Affordable homes and London Living Rent

The Mayor of London funds affordable housing across the capital through Homes for Londoners. Two schemes help renters in particular. London Living Rent offers homes at rents based on a third of average local incomes — set ward by ward, so they sit below market rates — and are aimed at middle-income renters saving towards a deposit, often with the chance to buy a share later. Shared Ownership lets you buy a share of a home and pay rent on the rest, then buy more over time. Available homes and who qualifies are published through Homes for Londoners.

Homes for Londoners →

Applying for social housing

Social housing — homes let at lower rents by councils and housing associations — is allocated by your local council, not by a single London-wide service. Each borough keeps its own housing register and decides priority using a points or banding scheme that puts people in the greatest need first. Waiting lists are long, so it is worth applying early if you qualify and exploring other options at the same time. Start by finding your council, then look for its housing register or housing options pages.

Find your council Boroughs Council Tax GOV.UK

You can also apply for council housing through the national starting point on GOV.UK, which then routes you to your borough:

Apply for council housing on GOV.UK →

Homelessness and urgent help

If you are homeless, or you might lose your home within the next 56 days, your council has a legal duty to help. Contact its housing options team as early as you can — you do not need to wait until you have nowhere to go. For free, confidential and independent advice at any stage, the charity Shelter can explain your rights, check whether an eviction notice is valid, and help you take the next step.

Facing eviction? Act early

Do not wait until the day you have to leave. Contact your council's housing options team and get advice from Shelter as soon as you receive any notice.

Get housing advice from Shelter →

Deposits and getting money back

Your deposit must be held in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme, and your landlord must give you the scheme details within 30 days of you paying it. At the end of the tenancy the deposit is returned, minus any agreed deductions for damage beyond fair wear and tear or unpaid rent. If you disagree with a deduction, every scheme offers a free dispute resolution service, so you rarely need to go to court.

Note: This portal links to official and trusted sources. government.london does not allocate homes, take applications or hold your money.

Common questions

What is London Living Rent?

London Living Rent is a type of affordable homes tenancy from the Mayor of London. Rents are based on a third of average local household incomes and are set ward by ward, so they are lower than typical market rents. It is designed to help middle-income renters save for a deposit, and many homes come with the option to buy a share later. Eligibility and available homes are published through Homes for Londoners on london.gov.uk.

How do I apply for a council or social housing home?

You apply to your local council, not to a national service. Each London borough runs its own housing register and allocation scheme, usually with a points or banding system that prioritises people in the greatest need. Start by finding your council, then look for its housing or housing register pages to check whether you qualify and how to join the list.

My landlord wants to evict me — where can I get help?

Get advice early. Shelter offers free, confidential housing advice and can explain whether an eviction notice is valid and what your options are. Your council has a legal duty to help if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days, so contact its housing options team as soon as you can. Do not wait until the day you have to leave.

How do I get my tenancy deposit back?

If you rent on an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme and give you the scheme details within 30 days. At the end of the tenancy the deposit should be returned, minus any agreed deductions for damage or unpaid rent. If there is a dispute, the scheme offers a free adjudication service.

This is an information page. Affordable homes come through Homes for Londoners, social housing through your council, and free advice through Shelter.

Continue to Homes for Londoners →