LOCAL ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
If you are looking for somewhere to live in Ipswich here are some ideas. For further advice and information please see a Housing Options Officer at the Customer Services Centre in the Town Hall.
If you are homeless or likely to be within the next 28 days get advice immediately - also see the "Homelessness" page.
EMERGENCY / SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION
HOSTELS - provide temporary accommodation and employ workers to advise and support the hostel residents. If you want to find out if a hostel has a vacancy ring or drop around. Generally they will interview you and then decide if they can accommodate you. If there are no vacancies, they may put you on a waiting list.
Some Hostels in Ipswich ( The Council can accept NO responsibility for the accuracy of this information or the quality of accommodation offered.)
- YMCA - 2, Wellington Street, Ipswich Tel: ( 01473) 252456 - (a) 36 single rooms for people aged 18 - 35 years ( shared bathrooms), meals available (b) 64 single person flatlets ( no couples) - will accept people on Benefits.
- ST MATTHEW SOCIETY - Cavendish Lodge, Turret Lane, Ipswich (a) 20 single rooms for people over 18 years, 8 full board and 12 self catering Tel (01473) 219155 (b) 13 studio flats at Maritime Court Tel: (01473) 287456 - will accept people on Benefits.
- YWCA - 43, Fonnereau Road, Ipswich Tel: ( 01473) 252915 Double and single rooms - will accept people on Benefits.
- SALVATION ARMY - "Lyndon House" 107 Fore Street, Ipswich Tel: (01473) 251070 - 39 single bedrooms for people over 18 years - will accept people on Benefits. The Housing Advisory Services Team operates a monthly advice "surgery" at the Hostel
PRIVATE RENTED ACCOMMODATION
When finding private rented accommodation, you should try all the following things.
ADVERTISING
People who rent out or manage rented property usually advertise in newspapers or put cards in shop windows, clubs etc. Locally it is best to get the "East Anglian Daily Times" first thing in the morning and read the "Accommodation to Let" column. Contact the landlords as soon as possible. There is usually more rented property advertised on Thursdays and Fridays than any other day of the week.
You could also advertise for rented accommodation in newspapers, shop windows etc. For personal safety reasons, always take a relative or friend with you to view accommodation. Do not forget to tell friends and relatives and anyone else who might know a landlord that you are looking for somewhere to stay.
AGENCIES
There are two types of agencies who may have rented property to let.
Estate Agents - These are usually in the business of buying and selling a property. However, some also manage rented properties on behalf of landlords. Usually estate agents do not operate waiting lists. Property is let on a first come - first served basis. It is best to call round to the estate agents to see if anything is available. leave your name, address or telephone number and contact them on a regular basis. Estate agents are not usually allowed to charge you a fee for finding accommodation. They may be able to charge you a fee for other services, e.g. drawing up a contract on your behalf.
Accommodation Agents - These exist solely to assist landlords to rent their property and to provide a service to people looking for accommodation. Usually they will expect you to come in and register. Accommodation agents are NOT allowed to charge a fee for registration or just giving addresses of property to people to view. They ARE however allowed to charge a fee if they find accommodation which you accept.
Property Managers- These are companies and individuals who mange properties. They choose the tenants and act as managers i.e. draw up tenancy agreements, collect rents, organise repairs, etc. It is best to contact them direct. Rules about charging are the same as for estate agents.
If you rent private accommodation you will likely have to pay a deposit and /or rent in advance - please see the information "Paying a Deposit"
Here is a list of Agents in Ipswich to help you in your search for accommodation ( The Council can accept NO responsibility for the accuracy of this information or the quality of accommodation offered.)
BRADFORD PROPERTY TRUST - Tel: (01473) 623058
BRIGHTWELLS - Tel: (01473) 253403
CARTER JONAS - Tel: (01473) 212656
COUNTRYWIDE RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS - Tel: (01473) 219810
FENN WRIGHT SPURLINGS - Tel: (01206) 764499
GERALD BENJAMIN - Tel: (01473) 252287
HAWKINS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - Tel: (01473) 253706
JANE GOOD LTD - Tel: (01394) 382770
JSM PROPERT MANAGEMENT AND RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS - Tel: (01394) 380218
M L PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - Tel: (01473) 270211
PENNINGTONS - Tel: (01473) 214343
RENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - Tel:(01473) 231222
RYAN ELIZABETH HOLDINGS - Tel:(01473) 217458
SAVILLS - Tel: (01473) 226191
STRUTT AND PARKER - Tel: (01473) 214841
THOMPSONS - Tel: (01473) 251907
HOUSING WITH WAITING LISTS
IHAG
Ipswich Housing Action Group rent housing on a sharing basis to single homeless people. They have a waiting list. During their stay IHAG will support people in seeking more permanent self-contained accommodation. Telephone (01473) 213102 Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm. Visit IHAG at 22-24 Carr Street, Ipswich - Tuesday to friday: Noon to 3.00 p.m. IHAG also campaigns for better housing for single people.
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
These are non-profit making organisations which provide rented accommodation to people in housing need. All have waiting lists which are usually long. It is better to write to them, giving as much detail as you can about why you need accommodation and what is wrong with your present home, if you have one. Housing Associations may close their lists from time to time so always try again if you do not get accepted first time. They sometimes house people from the Council's Waiting list (called nominations)
Some Housing Associations that have accommodation in Ipswich are:
ENGLISH CHURCHES HOUSING GROUP - Tel: (08450) 707071
HANOVER HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel: (01480) 475069 - accommodation for older people only
HABINTEG HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:(01603) 747138
JEPHSON HOMES HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:(01234) 213661
ORWELL HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel: (01473) 218818/9
SUFFOLK HOUSING SOCIETY - Tel: (01284) 767224
LONDON AND QUADRANT HOUSING TRUST - Tel: (01708) 738299 - one scheme of flats only
SANTUARY HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:( 01473) 217112
SERVITE HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:(01473) 274058 accommodation for older people only
ANCHOR HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:(01394) 388094 accommodation for older people only
BROADLAND HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD - Tel: (01603) 610278
SUFFOLK HERITAGE HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD - Tel: (01394) 385148
CO-OP HOME SERVICES HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD - Tel: (01284) 725737
HOUSING 21 HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel:(01480) 453541 accommodation for older people only
ASHLEY HOMES - Tel:( 01473) 281381
SALVATION ARMY HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel: 0181 885 6100
BLACKWATER HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel: (01473) 225655
ORBIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION - Tel: 0845 8 500 500
THE FOYER FOR IPSWICH
This is a training and accommodation project for young people (16 to 25), who can be working, training, at college or looking for work or training. It is different from a hostel in that part of the licence agreement states that you must prepare an action plan about your future. You get your own furnished room and share other facilities. The Housing Advisory Services Team operates a monthly advice "surgery" at the Foyer. Contact the Foyer Manager - Telephone: (01473) 225655
COUNCIL HOUSING
See information under "Housing Register"
HOW TO PAY FOR AND KEEP YOUR HOME
Paying rent can be a problem, so it is useful to know how to claim Housing Benefit. Once you have found somewhere to live, it is important to know what your rights are, what kind of tenant you are etc. Get advice from a Housing Advisory Officer - also see "Housing Rights in the Private Sector" and "Paying a Deposit"
Housing Benefit is paid by the Council to help with rent, you will need to complete an application form and have written confirmation from your landlord of the address and rent payable.
Also see our information about "Moving Home".