Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for a home to rent or buy can raise lots of questions. Whether you’re looking for an affordable home, shared ownership, a new build, specialist housing or a property before it reaches the wider market, we’ve put together answers to some of the questions people commonly search for.

If you need more information, many of the answers below link to our more detailed guides.

Finding a home

How can I find a home to rent?

There are several ways to find a home to rent, including housing associations, councils, estate and letting agents and property websites. It can help to search more than one source because different providers and agents advertise different properties. You can also search for homes based on specific requirements such as pet-friendly, no-deposit, affordable or specialist accommodation.

Find out more: Help to Find a Home to Rent

How can I find a home to buy?

Start by working out your budget and preferred locations, then search property websites, estate agents, new-build developers and specialist property providers. You don’t necessarily need to rely on one website. Searching several sources can help you find properties that meet your requirements, including shared ownership, new-build and specialist homes.

Find out more: Help to Find a Home to Buy

How can I find a house before it hits the market?

Some homes are available to potential buyers before they are publicly advertised. You may hear about them through an estate agent’s buyer database, a pre-market property service, local contacts or directly from a seller. Registering your requirements with agents and checking property services regularly can help you hear about suitable homes earlier.

Find out more: How Can You Find a House Before It Hits the Market?

What is an off-market property?

An off-market property is generally a property that is available, or potentially available, for sale without being publicly advertised in the usual way. It may be introduced to selected buyers through an estate agent or sold privately. Off-market does not necessarily mean that the property is cheaper — it mainly describes how the property is being marketed.

Find out more: Off-Market & Pre-Market Property

What is a pre-market property?

A pre-market property is generally a home that is expected to come to the market but is being introduced to potential buyers before its full public launch. An estate agent may already have a seller and be speaking to buyers on its database before advertising the property more widely.

Find out more: Off-Market & Pre-Market Property

How can I find properties before they are advertised?

Register your requirements with local estate agents, look for pre-market and coming-soon properties, and use more than one property website. It can also help to tell people you know what type of property you are looking for. The more specific your requirements are, the easier it can be for an agent or property provider to identify a potential match.

Find out more: Off-Market & Pre-Market Property

Homes to rent

Who is eligible for affordable housing?

Eligibility depends on the type of affordable housing and the provider offering it. Housing associations and councils can have their own eligibility criteria, which may consider factors such as income, household circumstances, local connection and housing need. Some affordable rented homes are also advertised outside the traditional social housing allocation process.

Find out more: Who Is Eligible for Affordable Housing?

What is the difference between social rent, affordable rent and market rent?

Social rent is generally set using a government formula and is usually lower than typical private market rents. Affordable Rent is generally set at up to a specified proportion of local market rent, subject to the relevant rules. Market rent is the rent a landlord can generally charge for a property in the private rented market.

Find out more: What Is the Difference Between Social Rent, Affordable Rent and Market Rent?

Can I rent a home if I receive benefits?

Yes. In England, landlords and letting agents cannot discriminate against prospective tenants because they receive benefits. They can still check whether the rent is affordable and carry out normal referencing and affordability checks. If you receive benefits, you can therefore continue to search across the private rented sector as well as considering housing associations and councils.

Find out more: Finding a Home to Rent

Can I find a pet-friendly rental?

Yes. Some landlords and housing providers allow pets, although the rules and conditions can vary between properties. If having a pet is important to you, include it as part of your property search rather than assuming that every rental will accept pets. Check the property’s specific requirements before applying.

Find out more: Search for Pet-Friendly Rentals

Can I rent a home without paying a deposit?

Some properties are available with no traditional cash deposit, although the exact arrangement varies between landlords and providers. You may see properties advertised as no-deposit rentals or with alternative deposit arrangements. Always check the terms carefully so you understand what you will need to pay and what protection or obligations apply.

Find out more: No-Deposit Rentals

What is over-50s housing?

Over-50s housing is accommodation designed or made available specifically for people aged 50 and over. The type of accommodation can vary considerably, from independent flats and houses to developments offering communal facilities or additional support. Each provider can set its own age requirements and eligibility criteria.

Find out more: What Is Over-55 Housing?

Affordable and specialist housing

What types of affordable homes are available?

Affordable housing can include different types of rented and home-ownership options. Depending on your circumstances, you may come across social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and other affordable home-ownership schemes. Availability and eligibility vary between providers and locations.

Find out more: Affordable Housing Guide

What housing association properties are available?

Housing associations provide different types of homes, including social rented, affordable rented and specialist accommodation. The properties available depend on the individual housing association and the area. Some homes are allocated through choice-based lettings or other local systems, while others can be advertised through different channels.

Find out more: Housing Association Homes

What is supported housing?

Supported housing provides accommodation alongside some form of support, supervision or assistance for people who need it. It can cover a wide range of circumstances and property types. The level and type of support varies, so it is important to check the specific accommodation and eligibility requirements with the provider.

Find out more: Supported Housing Guide

What is retirement housing?

Retirement housing is accommodation designed for older people, often providing independent living with features or services intended to make living easier and more suitable later in life. Some schemes have communal areas, on-site staff or additional services, while others are simply age-restricted homes with limited additional support.

Find out more: Retirement Housing Guide

Mutual exchange and home swaps

What is a mutual exchange home swap?

A mutual exchange is a way for social housing tenants to swap homes with another eligible tenant. Instead of waiting for a new property to become available through the usual allocation process, tenants can look for another tenant whose home and location suit their needs.

Find out more: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

Who can do a mutual exchange?

Mutual exchanges are generally available to eligible tenants of councils and housing associations, although the exact rules depend on your tenancy and landlord. You will normally need your landlord’s permission before an exchange can go ahead, and there can be circumstances where a proposed exchange is refused.

Find out more: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

How can I find someone to swap homes with?

You can look for another tenant whose current home and requirements match yours. When looking for a swap, it helps to include details such as your current location, property type, number of bedrooms and what area and type of home you want to move to.

MovingSoon’s community forum provides a dedicated space for tenants to share mutual exchange and home swap opportunities.

Find a mutual exchange: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

Can I swap my council house with someone else?

You may be able to swap your council home with another eligible social housing tenant, subject to your landlord’s rules and permission. A mutual exchange is different from simply moving through the council’s normal housing allocation system because two or more tenants agree to exchange their homes.

Always check the requirements with your landlord before making arrangements.

Find a mutual exchange: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

Can housing association tenants swap homes?

Housing association tenants may be able to take part in a mutual exchange, depending on their tenancy and their landlord’s requirements. If you are considering a swap, check with your housing association to understand the rules and whether you need formal permission before proceeding.

Find a mutual exchange: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

What information should I include when looking for a home swap?

The more useful information you provide, the easier it is for another tenant to see whether your home could be a match.

Consider including:

• Your current town or area
• County or region
• Property type
• Number of bedrooms
• Any important features
• Where you want to move
• Property type and size you are looking for
• Any specific requirements, such as accessibility or pet-friendly accommodation

Post or browse mutual exchange opportunities: Mutual Exchange Home Swaps

Shared ownership

What is shared ownership?

Shared ownership is a way of buying a home where you purchase a share of the property’s value and pay rent on the remaining share owned by a housing provider or other landlord. The percentage you can buy and the costs involved depend on the property and scheme. Shared ownership can provide an alternative route into home ownership for eligible buyers.

Find out more: Shared Ownership Guide

How does shared ownership work?

With shared ownership, you buy a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. You will normally also have other housing costs, such as service charges and potentially mortgage payments. Some shared ownership arrangements allow you to buy additional shares in the future, subject to the relevant rules.

Find out more: How Does Shared Ownership Work?

Can I sell a shared ownership property?

Yes, shared ownership properties can generally be sold, but the process can be different from selling an ordinary property. Your lease and housing provider’s rules can affect how the sale works, including whether the provider has a period in which it can nominate a buyer.

Find out more: Selling a Shared Ownership Property

How much is my shared ownership home worth?

The value of a shared ownership home depends on factors such as the property’s current market value, location, condition and the percentage you own. Your housing provider may have specific requirements around obtaining a valuation when you want to sell or increase your share.

Find out more: Shared Ownership Valuation Guide

Buying and selling a home

How much is my house worth?

The value of a property depends on factors including its location, size, condition, type of property and recent comparable sales. Online valuation tools can provide an indication, but they should not necessarily be treated as a formal valuation. Comparing recent local sales and obtaining professional valuations can give you a better understanding of potential value.

Find out more: Find Out What Your Home Could Be Worth

How can I get my house valued?

You can ask estate agents to provide a valuation, use online valuation tools or obtain other professional advice depending on what you need the valuation for. It can be useful to understand how the valuation has been reached and which comparable properties have been considered.

Find out more: How to Get Your House Valued

Can I sell my home without using an estate agent?

Yes, homeowners can choose to sell privately rather than instructing an estate agent. However, selling privately means taking responsibility for tasks that an agent would normally handle, such as marketing, arranging viewings and dealing with enquiries. You should also consider the legal and practical work involved in completing the sale.

Find out more: Selling Your Home Privately

How can I find a new-build home?

New-build homes can be found through property websites, estate agents, housebuilders and specialist new-build services. It is also worth looking for developments that are coming soon because some homes may be available to register interest in before the wider launch.

Find out more: New Build Homes Guide

Can I find a new-build home before it is released?

Sometimes. Housebuilders and agents can invite potential buyers to register interest in developments before properties are released for general sale. Registering early can mean you hear about a development or available plots before the wider launch.

Find out more: How to Find New-Build Homes Before They Are Released

Using MovingSoon

What is MovingSoon?

MovingSoon is a UK property platform where people can search for homes to rent and buy. Properties can include homes from housing associations, councils, estate agents and other property providers, covering different types of housing and requirements.

Can I search for homes to rent on MovingSoon?

Yes. You can search for homes to rent in different locations and look for properties based on the type of home and requirements that matter to you.

Can I search for homes to buy on MovingSoon?

Yes. MovingSoon includes properties for sale as well as rental properties, including different types of homes and specialist opportunities such as shared ownership and new builds.

Do I need to use just one property website?

No. Using several property websites, estate agent websites and other sources can give you more opportunities to find a suitable home. Different providers advertise through different channels, and some properties may be available through specialist services or before they are publicly advertised.

How often should I search for a property?

If you are actively looking, it is worth checking regularly. New properties can become available at any time, and some homes may only be marketed for a relatively short period. Setting up alerts where available and registering with relevant agents or providers can also help you hear about new opportunities.

What should I do if I cannot find a suitable home?

Consider widening your search by location, property type, budget or other requirements where possible. It can also help to search more than one website and look at different types of housing, including affordable housing, shared ownership, specialist accommodation and properties that are coming to the market.