Can I foster if I rent my home in Stoke-on-Trent?

A rented home can be considered for fostering where the tenancy gives you a stable right to live there and the landlord or housing provider agrees to fostering. The assessment will look at the practical effect of fostering on the property, your tenancy and the child who may be placed with you.

Before applying, check your tenancy agreement for clauses covering:

• running a household with children or young people;
• subletting, lodgers or changes in household circumstances;
• the number of people who may live at the property;
• pets, smoking or other matters that could affect a placement; and
• alterations, adaptations or additional safety equipment.

Even if the agreement does not clearly prohibit fostering, you should discuss your plans with your landlord. Written consent is important because a placement may change how the property is used. If you rent from a council or housing association, contact the relevant housing officer and ask what approval process applies. Keep any permission safely, as it may be requested during your assessment.

The fostering service will need to understand your housing arrangements. You may be asked to provide details of your landlord, tenancy type and household, along with information about any restrictions affecting the property. If your tenancy is fixed-term, short-term or subject to a possible move, this can be explored as part of the assessment. It does not automatically rule you out, but the stability of the arrangement will need to be understood.

Assessors will also consider whether the accommodation is appropriate for fostering in practice. This can include the condition and safety of the home, privacy, household routines, access to essential facilities and whether the layout can support a child’s individual needs. A home visit forms part of the assessment, allowing these matters to be discussed rather than judged solely from tenancy documents.

It is sensible to raise practical questions early, including:

• Could the landlord withdraw consent or end the tenancy if circumstances change?
• Would the landlord permit safety measures or other reasonable changes if they became necessary?
• Who is responsible for repairs, inspections and maintaining safety equipment?
• What would happen if the household needed to move during an assessment or placement?

You should not make changes to the property or agree to a placement based only on an informal conversation with a landlord. Discuss any proposed changes with the fostering team first, obtain the required permission and check that the arrangement remains consistent with your tenancy.

Landlord consent is one part of the wider fostering assessment. You will still need to meet the other fostering requirements, complete the required checks and training, and show that you can provide a safe, consistent home. The local fostering team can explain which documents are needed and help you identify any tenancy issues that need resolving before you proceed.