Can I become a foster parent if I rent my home?

Renting does not automatically rule out fostering. The key issue is whether your tenancy and housing arrangements can accommodate fostering safely and securely, and whether the landlord or housing provider is willing to approve it where their consent is required.

Before starting an application, read your tenancy agreement carefully. Look for clauses covering:

• who is allowed to live in the property;
• lodgers, subletting or taking in another occupant;
• the maximum number of people permitted in the home;
• alterations, fixtures and fittings; and
• the landlord’s right to inspect or approve changes.

A foster child is placed with you as part of an approved fostering arrangement, rather than becoming a tenant or lodger. However, the wording of tenancy agreements varies, so you should not assume that fostering is permitted without checking. If consent is needed, ask for it in writing. Your fostering service can explain the arrangement to the landlord or letting agent and provide relevant information about the assessment.

If you rent from a council or housing association, contact the housing provider as well as checking your agreement. Social housing providers may have their own rules about additional household members, room allocation and occupancy. Fostering could also affect how your household is assessed for housing, benefits or rent-related support, so obtain advice from the relevant council or benefits service before making decisions about your tenancy.

The property itself will be considered during the fostering assessment. This normally includes a home visit and checks relating to:

• the sleeping arrangements available for a foster child;
• privacy and suitable personal space;
• fire safety, smoke alarms and escape routes;
• security, stairs, windows and other potential hazards;
• safe storage of medicines, cleaning products and other dangerous items; and
• whether the number, age and needs of children who may be placed are appropriate for the space available.

Children usually need a suitable bedroom or sleeping area that gives them privacy and stability. The exact arrangement depends on factors such as the child’s age, needs and whether siblings are placed together. A fostering assessor will discuss how the available rooms could be used, including how the arrangement would work alongside the needs of anyone else in your household.

You may need your landlord’s approval before making changes such as installing additional locks, fitting safety equipment or altering fixtures. Do not carry out structural work or other significant alterations until you have checked both your tenancy conditions and the landlord’s requirements. Small practical changes may be recommended following the home safety assessment, but they should be agreed properly.

Being a tenant can become a concern if your tenancy is very short-term, your landlord will not permit fostering, the property is overcrowded, or the accommodation does not provide appropriate space. These issues do not necessarily end your interest in fostering, but they would need to be resolved before approval could be considered. If you expect to move home, tell the fostering service, as a move may require a further assessment of the new property.

When you enquire, it is helpful to have your tenancy agreement available and to be open about your household, the rooms in the property and any restrictions you already know about. The fostering team can help you understand what information is needed, how landlord consent fits into the assessment and whether your current accommodation is likely to be suitable. Become A Foster Family provides guidance and ongoing support to prospective foster carers across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas.