Rent Deposit Scheme
What is the Rental Support Scheme?
It is a scheme ran by Elmbridge Borough Council, which is aimed at helping people in receipt of benefits or on low-income secure private rented accommodation. The Rental Support Team introduces tenants to landlords, matches you to a suitable property and arranges a deposit or bond to be issued.
Who can get help from Elmbridge Borough Council's Rental Support Scheme?
You may be able to get help if you:
- have a local connection with Elmbridge
- are entitled to re-housing under the homeless legislation
- are able to maintain a tenancy
How can I apply for the scheme?
You can enquire directly to Elmbridge Borough Council's Housing Options Team. A Housing Options Officer will interview you, during which you will be given advice on your housing options and will assess your suitability for the Rental Support Scheme.
What happens next?
If you meet the criteria of the Rental Support Scheme you will be requested to provide further information about yourself, such as identification and proof of income. The Housing Options Officer will advise of your suitability as an applicant and make a decision. We will try to do this as quickly as possible, however if we are not provided with all the information that we require, the process will be slower.
Will I be given accommodation straight away?
No, the scheme is NOT designed to hep you into emergency accommodation if you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness it is designed to help you access accommodation in the Private Sector.
What type of accommodation will I get?
If you are accepted on the scheme, Elmbridge Borough Council will find you accommodation that meets your needs or you will be asked to find your own accommodation. You will be advised how to go about this and given advice on renting properties. The final decision as to whether you take up the tenancy will be with you and the landlord. It is important to be aware that there are limited properties to rent and refusing a property offered via the Rental Support Scheme may result in you being overlooked for properties or being exempt from the Scheme.
What about the Deposit?
The Rental Support Scheme offers a Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which is a non-cash deposit (bond). It is a written deposit guarantee agreement between the landlord, tenant and the Council. The bond amount is the equivalent of 1 months rent and the landlord can make a claim against the bond at the end of the tenancy should there be any damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant during the letting. The bond will not exceed 1 month's rent.
In some cases the landlord may opt for the Rent Deposit Scheme, which is a cash deposit. They will need to have the deposit protected through a government tenancy deposit protection scheme within 14 days and provide us with the written confirmation.
How much rent will I have to pay?
The landlord will set the rent level and be advised of local housing allowance for the locality. You may be entitled to help with paying your rent from Housing Benefit. This applies if you are on a low income or receiving other benefits. Housing benefit does not cover all housing costs such as heating lighting and water. If such charges are included in your rent, remember that you are responsible to pay any shortfall in rent. Once you have either been matched to a property via the Rental Support Scheme or have identified a property to rent we can help you make a claim for housing benefit to help meet your rent.
Will I have to pay the money back?
If you have some savings you will be asked to pay towards the deposit or we will agree a payment plan to cover any deductions made from the deposit or bond by the landlord. If the landlord makes a claim against the deposit or bond you will have to clear this debt with the Council. Ideally tenants should always put money aside during the letting so that they can use towards their future housing costs.
Putting it all together
So we have accepted you on the scheme, you have found your own property and the Landlord will accept Elmbridge Borough Council's Bond or Deposit. You will contact your advisor and let them know and they will arrange a time for you to sign the tenancy agreement and bond agreement. If you need to make a claim for Housing Benefit this will be done as soon as possible. Your advisor will arrange this for you, however you will be expected to provide all the necessary documents needed to make a claim.
Final Word
We wish you every success in your new property and hope that your tenancy runs smoothly. Should any problems arise, talk them through with your Landlord, if your Landlord makes a claim against the deposit or bond Elmbridge Borough Council will take steps to recover the cost of any claims paid from you. You will not be considered for future help through the Rental Support Scheme until you have paid all costs back to Elmbridge Borough Council.
For more information please contact Housing Options.
|Downloadable version: Housing Guide to Private Renting
|Downloadable version: Tenants Guide to Letting Agents | |Tenants renting from a private landlord
