Explain the difference between council and private housing

[Unloved1]

Please

Ive only ever lived in a private flat about 30 years ago. I've never lived in a council housing before.

Private landlord is just a person who runs a business having a house or houses they rent out, or owns a single property that they rent and they live elsewhere.
Council housing is owned and run by the local council and is allocated according to guidelines because it's supposed to provide for those who are in need in some way, including economically. Also known as social housing.

@heldinadream thank you.

Is council cheaper than private? Also is it hard to get help with the rent for the private than the council? Or both the same?

It’s not easy to get a council house will depend on your circumstances and waiting list, but in my area you will never be housed by them (London borough) and yes it’s much cheaper

Council houses or social housing are a lot cheaper than private rents but I'm 43, and I've never known anyone to get social housing or a council house.

Local Housing Allowance is set at a proportion of local rent prices.

You can look up your area here:

lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

For comparison
a private rental in my street 3 storey 2/3 bed large house is around 1500
thr exact same house next door Is a HA and is 525 a month

In our area it's owned by social housing companies, the local authority runs the bidding/allocation system.

Whether council housing is cheaper does depend a bit on where you are, in cheaper areas there can be a smaller difference

I picked up keys to my council house this morning after 6 months on the list. Rent is £320 a month. Private for the same size property here would be £650

If you look at your council's Housing dept web page it will explain how it all works. There may be a very very long waiting list (eg years) unless you or any children have medical needs or other high vulnerabilities.