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The Dorchester borough council partners with the county to help tenants threatened by homeless, or people that are now homeless, with their housing needs. The main scheme available can help pay both a deposit on a new private rented flat or home, and there may also be council funds as well as repayable loans available for any rent in advance payments.

Since the council partners with the county (as well as central government), the funds are limited. The Housing Advice Service is the Dorchester agency that will go over the criteria for the Rent in Advance and Deposit Scheme. They assess applications based on income, whether the applicant is vulnerable (such as pregnancy), people homeless due to floor or fire, prisoners, and others.

Financial assistance for Dorchester private rented accommodations

Any deposit help is only as a last resort, if the applicant is on a low income, has no savings, and is unable to borrow the money or take out a loan from another source. If the applicant has funds, or savings/loans, the Dorchester Council will not offer rent in advance or deposit help. The applicant also needs to have applied to local charities first for help.

The financial help is only for private rented accommodation. it does not pay for social housing or residents on LHA. The Housing Advice Service will help the client locate a safe and affordable home to live in. But the applicant also needs to take responsibility for this as well.

Repayable loans are provided by the Dorchester council. The money is paid directly to the landlord that the tenant will be letting from. There will never be cash given to the prospective tenant or the person that is close to homelessness. All funds need to be repaid to the council in regular monthly installments, though they will try to set a lower amount each month. The loans can also help pay rent with the approval of the council.

Landlord deposits are often due, and it may be worth 2-3 months of monthly rent. Many families or individuals (especially the vulnerable) struggle to come up with the cash for that cost. The Dorchester repayable loan may help there, and it needs to be repaid to the council. In some instances, a bond guarantee can pay for that deposit costs. In addition, if there are any damages to the property owners home, the those additional costs need to be paid by the tenant.

Payments need to be made on a regular basis, and the entire loan needs to be repaid to the council by the end of the tenancy. If the funds are not repaid, the authorities can take legal action against the tenant at any time during the agreement. Or the individual could be evicted. Also, if there is an arrears at the end of the tenancy agreement, then that money may also need to be repaid to the council.

Dorchester landlords also tend to require rent in advance payments for private rented accommodation. Proof of income and bank statements are needed. In general, this form of assistance from the Dorchester council is more limited. In almost all instances a loan is issued for this housing cost; not a loan.

When applying, the Dorchester Housing Advice Service gives priority to households with children, people leaving care, veterans, domestic violence victims, and pregnant women. Many beneficiaires are formerly homeless as well. Other applications are also assessed on a one-off basis for the rent in advance and deposit scheme. The Dorchester Council Offices are at 19 North Square, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1JF.