A council-run scheme to help people facing homelessness access private rented homes is proving a success.
Under the Private Rented Access Scheme, Mansfield Council pays the rental deposit and advanced rent payment to private landlords who sign up.
Launched in February, by the first four months, it had helped 35 households including 27 children who were facing homelessness or housed in temporary accommodation. Of the households helped by the scheme, seven were able to find a home by taking out a policy with insurance-backed service RentGuarantor.
Twenty landlords have signed up to be included in the scheme so far and their properties were checked to ensure they are safe, secure and suitable to ensure the maximum chance of a tenancy succeeding.
Homlex, a Leicester-based property management company, acts on behalf of one of the landlords. Office manager Louise Powell says: “We have three properties with Mansfield and are certainly open to expanding this number. One of the main concerns for landlords is the risk of missed rent payments and assessing tenant viability. Mansfield’s approach addresses both issues effectively.”
Councillor Anne Callaghan, portfolio holder for housing, explains that not enough council homes come up for let to help the number of people waiting. “This scheme helps people over the hurdle that makes it hard for many people to take on a private rented home – finding the money for the deposit and first month’s advance rent.”
The Private Rented Access Scheme is being funded by the government-funded Homeless Prevention Grant and run as a pilot project for a year with the option to extend it if it is successful.
Landlords interested in joining can email privaterentedaccess@mansfield.gov.uk or call 07934 159405.
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