Although the UK is traditionally a country where the ratio of house ownership is high, renting rather than buying does have certain advantages.

Although the property will obviously never be your own, renting is usually cheaper than buying and the cost is fixed for the period of the rental agreement. This contrasts with buying where mortgage interest can go up at short notice and by large amounts.

Bills overall tend to be more predictable and, because the property isn't yours, you don't have the responsibility and cost of maintaining it. Maintenance is down to the landlord although you are expected to take reasonable care of the house while you're living in it.

House rental also generally leads to more flexibility. Your commitment only lasts for the term of the rental agreement and, providing you give the required notice, you can just up and go. If you change jobs frequently and need to move around, renting is best. You don't have the problem of needing to sell the house, which can take a long time in a difficult market, and buy another one.

Before looking for a house to rent, identify the features you need. Determine the number of rooms you must have and their size, as well as the storage space that's required. Decide on the area where you want to live and if you need to be close to transport links, shops and other amenities such as a good local school. Do you need a garden, central heating and does the property have to be furnished or unfurnished? Until you know what you're after, you can't even start looking seriously.

Another important consideration is your budget. You have to work out what you can afford to spend and then identify a house that suits you finances. To do this, you need to know what's included in any quoted rental cost. A short-term let may include council tax and some utility costs. Generally, however, you'll have to pay these separately so you must find out the cost of these, plus insurance and other necessary expenses, and then add them to the overall figure. And don't go to the limit of your budget because costs have a habit of rising, so you need to allow a bit of slack.

Once you find the right house at an affordable rent and move in, you have certain responsibilities as a tenant. You obviously have to pay your rent and other bills on time and look after the property. Additionally, you should act in a neighbourly fashion, keep the house secure and report problems to the landlord before they get worse.