Where to find a property to rent

Properties allocated through Living Merthyr Tydfil can be found here: Search properties - Living Merthyr Tydfil 

We have a high number of applications for social housing and it can take a long time to obtain a property and you should also consider looking for private rental proeprties to maximise your opportunity to move to  a property. 

How to find a private rented home

Search online
Many landlords and letting agencies advertise online. Popular national websites include:

These sites mostly advertise properties that are being let by a letting agent on behalf of a landlord. It is a good idea to check if the agent will manage the property while you live there, or whether the landlord will manage the property directly.

Check all rental properties on Rent Smart Wales

All Landlords who are entitled to possession of a rental property must be registered with Rent Smart Wales. Additionally, landlords who let or manage their own property, as well as those who let or manage properties on behalf of others, must be licensed with Rent Smart Wales to comply with the law.

www.rentsmart.gov.wales

How to follow up an advert once you find a property:

Private places often let quickly. If you find somewhere you like:

  • Ring the landlord or letting agent as soon as you can ask as much as possible about the property to decide whether it is suitable.
  • Ask the landlord if they are registered and have a licence under the Rent Smart Wales scheme. If you are dealing with a letting agent, ask the agent if they have a licence
  • Arrange to visit the accommodation as soon as possible – before you agree to anything get another person to go with you to view the property and let someone else know where you are going.
  • Have details of referees or references ready
  • Be prepared to pay a holding deposit (but don’t carry large amounts of cash and always get a receipt) and be sure you view the property before handing over any money.

What to look for when going to a viewing

During the viewing, check that:

  • the property is secure
  • the heating, lighting and plumbing works
  • any furniture is in a good state of repair.
  • If other people live there, try to meet them to see if you will get on with them.

Shelter Cymru have a Viewing-a-property-checklist2021.pdf (sheltercymru.org.uk) checklist for ideas about other things you should look at before deciding whether to rent a place.

Help to secure

There may be funding to help secure a property but this will be dependent on your circumstances meeting the eligibility criteria of any available funding/grants.