Finding a flat can be difficult if you are under 18. Some landlords are reluctant to rent to you if you are under 18, because there can be difficulties in enforcing a contract against people under 18. For that reason many landlords, if they do rent to under 18’s, will insist that their parents or some other adult sign the contract as guarantors which means they become liable for any unpaid rent or damage to property. Alternatively, if you are flatting with a friend who is over 18, the landlord might ask them to sign the Agreement.

Sometimes, if you are under 18, it can be easier to find a room in a flat that is already being rented by someone. You should be careful about paying the rent and bills when you are flatting. The person whose name is on the bills or Tenancy Agreement will be responsible for making sure those bills or rent are paid. If the telephone bill is in your name and your flatmates leave without paying their share it is you that will be expected to pay! You can take your flatmates to the Disputes Tribunal if they will not pay their share voluntarily, but it might be difficult to find them if they have left the area. Make sure you think about these things before having your name put on bills. Perhaps get a toll bar put on the phone and make sure everyone pays their share when the bills come in.