Can I foster if I rent my home?

For a tenant, the first practical check is whether the tenancy permits another child or young person to live in the property and whether the landlord is prepared to confirm this. Fostering cannot normally proceed without resolving any restrictions in the tenancy agreement or obtaining the appropriate permission.

Check your tenancy agreement

Look for clauses covering additional occupants, subletting, household changes, pets, the use of the property and any requirement to seek permission before making alterations. If you rent from a council or housing association, contact the housing provider and ask about its fostering procedure. A private tenant should speak to the landlord or managing agent. Permission may need to be provided in writing, so keep copies of correspondence and any completed forms.

Do not rely on an informal conversation alone. The fostering service may need to see evidence that the proposed arrangement is accepted by the person or organisation responsible for the tenancy. If your home is jointly rented, permission and information from the relevant tenants may also need to be considered.

How the property is considered

The assessment is concerned with whether the home can safely meet a child’s needs, rather than whether you own it. The fostering service will consider matters such as:

• the available bedroom space and whether the proposed sleeping arrangements are suitable for the child’s age, needs and circumstances;
• how the household currently uses the property, including the number of people living there;
• safe access, escape routes and general household safety;
• the condition of the home and any risks connected with heating, electrics, outdoor areas, pets or household equipment;
• whether medicines, cleaning products and other potentially harmful items can be stored securely; and
• whether the property provides enough privacy and stability for the child and everyone already living there.

There is not one arrangement that suits every fostering situation. For example, the space needed may depend on whether you are being assessed for one child, siblings or a child with particular care requirements. Bedroom sharing is not automatically acceptable and would have to be considered against the relevant requirements and the children’s individual needs. Your fostering service will explain what arrangement is appropriate in your circumstances.

Permission to make changes

Some homes need minor changes to improve safety or suitability. Before installing equipment, altering doors, changing locks, adapting a room or making other physical changes, check whether your tenancy requires the landlord’s consent. You should not assume that permission to foster also gives permission to alter the property. Any proposed work should be discussed with both the landlord and the fostering service before it is arranged.

What to provide during the assessment

You may be asked for a copy of your tenancy agreement, written landlord permission and information about the property. The fostering assessment will also look at how long you expect to remain there and whether your housing situation is sufficiently settled for a child to be placed with you. Renting does not remove the need to demonstrate that the household can offer consistency and appropriate care.

Tell the fostering service if you are planning to move, your tenancy is due to end, your landlord is considering a change, or the people living in the home change during the assessment. A move may mean that the new property has to be reviewed before fostering can continue, particularly if the bedroom arrangements or safety features are different.

If a landlord will not give permission, you may not be able to foster from that property. The next step is to clarify the reason for the refusal and discuss your options with the fostering team. They can explain which documents and housing arrangements are relevant to your application, but the final decision will depend on the permission available and the suitability of the home.