Rent in advance or deposit help Croydon

Government funds can help families or individuals pay for housing costs in Croydon. Using the discretionary welfare scheme, when qualified government funds can pay (1) the rent deposit or (2) up to one month of rent in advance. Either expense can be paid; not both.

The scheme is paid for using the welfare programme that is funded by the central government. This means that any rental deposit or move in costs is lumped together with other uses of welfare funds, including white goods, food, utility bills, emergency travel, resettlement costs and more. This is why the funding to help pay deposits or rent in advance in the town of Croydon is limited.

Applying for housing in Croydon

There are a few key criteria for the scheme. Anyone who is local to the town of Croydon, and that seeks private housing (whether they are on benefits or not), can apply. As noted, it is discretionary and the government is under no obligation to help the town residents. The address is below.

1) It only pays for flats or homes in the private rented sector. The rent advance/deposit scheme will not pay for social housing or LHA properties.
2) In addition, the Croydon council has very few funds to use for rent or deposit help. Since the cost of a home or flat is so high, and the demand for financial assistance so great, many applicants need to be denied. But the Croydon council will link the applicant to other resources including Citizens Advice, credit union loans, and more.
3) Since CDS is part of the discretionary support scheme, even if denied for rent deposit help, the client may be able to get other support such as furniture for the home, appliances, or essential goods.

The discretionary funds are combined with other support services. The tenant needs to have a budget put into place to prove that they can afford future housing or utility bills. The Croydon rent in advance or deposit help scheme is only for those tenants that prove that they can maintain their home on their own through employment income and wages. However, if the applicant needs additional financial help for living costs, that can be arranged too.

If the family or individual applying for housing can’t afford the home on their own, then deposit help will not be given right away. Instead the council will link the applicant to budgeting and money management programmes in Croydon. They include the National Debt Line (phone 0808 808 4000), the free Money Advice Service (telephone 0300 500 5000). Citizens Advice in Croydon (48 – 50 Portland Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 4PQ, phone 0300 330 9095) also offers budgeting as well as free money management workshops.

To fill out a form to apply for deposit or rent in advance financial help, the main office is at the Croydon Council. The address is Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA, telephone 020 8726 6000. Anyone in the borough can call the council for help.