Councils appeal to private landlords to help with housing crisis

Councils appeal to private landlords to help with housing crisis

0:01 AM, 31st January 2025, About 2 hours ago

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Two councils are urging private landlords to collaborate on initiatives to help find homes for homeless people and families in their areas.

Mansfield District Council has launched a scheme to partner with landlords to reduce homelessness.

The aim is to help those who are registered as homeless and currently in temporary residences – a report reveals that there has been a big jump in demand over the last three years.

The council will pay rent deposits and initial rent payments.

There’s also a partnership with RentGuarantor which, the council says, will offer landlords security to cover rent and legal expenses in case of tenant arrears.

Unwilling to let to the homeless

Exeter’s portfolio holder for housing, Coun Anne Callaghan, said: “Private landlords are often unwilling to let to people and families who are homeless, and many people are homeless and on our waiting list because they simply cannot raise the amount needed to pay a deposit for a privately rented property.

“Many also struggle to pay the first rent in advance because of the way Universal Credit pays benefits in arrears.”

She added: “What the Private Rented Access Scheme will do is enable us to work with landlords and create successful, long-term tenancies.

“The kind of homeless people we want to help ranges from single people to families.”

Promoting direct rent payments

Mansfield says there will be three check-ins during the first six months, focusing on tenancy management and promoting direct rent payments.

Financed with a £187,681 government grant, the scheme forms part of the council’s homelessness and prevention strategy with the year-long pilot scheme starting on 1 February.

Mansfield currently has 38 households in interim accommodation waiting for permanent homes and 4,598 people are on the housing waiting list with 173 being in Band One – the highest priority.

Exeter appeals for landlord help

Meanwhile, Exeter City Council is appealing to homeowners and landlords with vacant properties or spare bedrooms to help with the city’s housing shortage.

The council’s housing access team offers guidance and assistance to reintroduce vacant homes into the market.

Exeter’s lead councillor for housing, Coun Marina Asvachin, said: “We currently have a large demand for all types of accommodation in Exeter.

“We know that many properties and bedrooms are standing vacant in the city.

“Our vision is to create sustainable tenancies that work for landlords and tenants alike.”

The council says it is offering attractive financial incentives, including upfront cash, deposits, advance rent and continuous support for both landlords and tenants.


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