If you are a migrant worker and intend living in the UK, housing will be high on your list of priorities. New to the UK has collated essential information on living in the UK in different types of accommodation. The following housing advice to migrants and migrant workers coming to live in the UK could prove very useful if you are a foreign worker searching for help.
Living in the UK in housing provided by your employer
For some types of employment, particularly in agriculture and the hotel trade, your employer may provide accommodation. If you are provided with accommodation as part of your job, there are rules which say how many people should live in certain types of property for health and safety reasons.
If you are looking for housing advice and want to know if your home follows these rules, or you think it is not safe, contact the Environmental Health Section at your local District or Borough Council and they will give you housing advice. The person you are renting from does not need to know you have contacted them. If your employer does provide accommodation, there are rules that regulate how much money an employer may deduct from your wages to pay for this.
Living in the UK in rented accommodation
If you need to find your own place to live, it will usually be available to rent. Places to rent - either rooms, flats or houses are usually advertised in the local paper and although the District Council will not usually be able to find you a place to live, they may be able to give you a list of agencies who rent houses.
Property is usually offered for rent as furnished or unfurnished. If it is unfurnished, it might be a cheaper, but you will need to find your own furniture, a factor, which can eventually work out to be more expensive.
If you are living in the UK and in need of housing advice, The Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help you to find out where you can find somewhere to live and there are branches of the Bureau in most towns.
