Rihanna is determined to give herself a fresh start following her violent encounter with boyfriend rapper Chris Brown last month - the singer has been spotted house-hunting in Los Angeles.

The Kiss Kiss hitmaker has been accused of assaulting Rihanna on February 8, leaving the Umbrella star beaten and bruised.

Rihanna slipped away from the spotlight following the spat, spending time in her native Barbados, a resort in Mexico and at Sean "Diddy" Combs' Florida home before returning to LA.

And now the star is reportedly looking to buy a new home in the city after she was spotted embarking on a tour of properties in the Hollywood Hills this week

She viewed three houses, including a $6,25million (R62million) home, once owned by comedian Jerry Seinfeld and boasting three bedrooms, five bathrooms, pool and a hot tub.

Real estate agent Russell Filice, who showed the star Seinfeld's former residence, said: "Rihanna has just started her search. She looked at three homes with her three assistants and a driver.

"Her questions were centred around her lifestyle in the house; how she could entertain, how private it is. She was in a great mood. There were no scars, no bruises, nothing. She is very sweet, very pretty."

Brown faces almost five years behind bars if he's convicted of assaulting her. He's due in court for his arraignment in Los Angeles next month. - Wenn