Renting private accommodation: Homes for Ukraine
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-24)

How to rent privately, including your rights and responsibilities.

You may decide to move out of accommodation with your sponsor and into private rented accommodation or council housing. You will have responsibilities to meet as a tenant, but also rights as a tenant too.

Another option, as your sponsorship comes to an end, is to talk with your host about moving to a more formal arrangement if you would like to continue living in the host’s property.

Renting a room in someone’s home

If your host is prepared to rent a furnished room to you, in the home where they live, your host would become your resident landlord, and you will become a lodger (https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/lodgers). Read more information about renting a room in someone’s home. Renting rooms in someone’s home - guide for people renting from resident landlords (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renting-rooms-in-someones-home-a-guide-for-people-renting-from-resident-landlords/renting-rooms-in-someones-home-guide-for-people-renting-from-resident-landlords)

Renting your own accommodation

As your sponsorship comes to an end, you might want to talk with your host about moving to a more formal arrangement if you would still like to live in the host’s property. This would mean that your host would become your landlord. If you are considering renting your own accommodation, make sure you know what your rights and responsibilities are as a tenant. Read more information about renting (https://www.gov.uk/private-renting).

We have published a guide to help you understand how to rent in England (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent). This will help you when you are ready and able to move out of sponsorship into independent accommodation.

The guide explains that you may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit which could help with the cost of rent. You are not eligible for housing benefit while living with your sponsor, but if you move into private accommodation, you may be. The guide also includes an online calculator which can be used to see if you can afford to live in the area you want.

There is high demand for private rental accommodation. Some councils are using the funding they have received from the government to facilitate access to private rented accommodation for their Ukrainian guests – offering, for instance, 12 month rent guarantees, and paying rent in advance.

If you are ready to rent but are facing challenges accessing private rental accommodation, you should contact the council to understand what schemes and offers of support are available in your area. Find your local council (https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council).

There is high demand for social housing in most parts of the country and so even those with priority for social housing may have to wait for some time before a home which meets their needs becomes available.

Renting in Scotland

Read more about renting in Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/publications/welcome-pack-new-scots/pages/3/),

Renting in Wales

Read more about renting in Wales (https://sanctuary.gov.wales/ukraine/housing)

Renting in Northern Ireland

Read more about renting in Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/homes-ukraine-scheme-accommodation-and-emergency-accommodation)

Utility bills and other expenses

Council Tax

Council Tax rules are different in each nation of the United Kingdom. If you live in England, Wales or Scotland and move out of sponsored accommodation into privately rented property or a home of your own, you are likely to become liable for paying Council Tax. The amount you will have to pay will depend on the number of persons in the household, and their circumstances. This could also include the nature of their immigration permission.

If you hold a Homes for Ukraine visa you may be entitled to a 50% Council Tax discount if you live alone or if you and all the other adults you live with have a Homes for Ukraine visa. When you move onto a Ukraine Permission Extension visa, this exemption will no longer apply.

However, the Council Tax system contains a range of discounts and disregards which may reduce a person’s bill. Your local council can advise you on how much you will have to pay, and the reasons. Find your local council (https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council).

Council Tax in Scotland

Read more about Council Tax in Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/publications/super-sponsor-scheme-and-homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-local-authorities/pages/council-tax/).

Council Tax in Wales

Read more about Council Tax in Wales (https://www.gov.wales/council-tax-discounts-and-reductions-information-leaflet).

Council Tax (Rates) in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland does not have Council Tax. Instead, it has a tax called Domestic Rates. If you move out of sponsored accommodation into privately rented property or a home of your own, you are likely to become liable for paying rates. The amount of rates that you pay depends on the value of the property you live in. The amount is the same no matter how many people are living in the property. You can get help with paying the rates if you are entitled to Universal Credit or other welfare benefits.

Read more about Rates in Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/guide-rates).

Gas, electric and water

When you move into a new home you will need to make sure you are set up to pay for your gas, electric and water.

Your water is provided by your local water company. You can find out who your local water company is (https://www.dwi.gov.uk/consumers/find-your-local-water-company/) (England and Wales only). If you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland this is provided by Scottish Water (https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/) or Northern Ireland Water (https://www.niwater.com/home/).

You can choose your own energy supplier for gas and electric. More details about this are in the guide about how to rent in England. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent)

Risk of homelessness

If you are at risk of homelessness, you should contact your local council as soon as possible. They will advise you about what help you are entitled to.

You can find more information about homelessness (https://www.gov.uk/if-youre-homeless-at-risk-of-homelessness).