UK Bill Help

People that are homeless or are threatened by it can get help from the Durham Housing Solutions Service. This team works closely with the council and landlords to provide assistance to the needy and vulnerable, and they also coordinate services with charities that offer temporary accommodations to the homeless. One key programme provided is the bond guarantee, and this can help with the rent deposit on a new private sector home in Durham.

The staff is located at the main council office in Crook Civic Centre, and they offer many housing services to the needy. Applicants will be directed to the resource that best meet their needs and address their main problem. The advice is free, and is available for anyone with a connection to County Durham. Specialists can assist with applying for housing benefits, such as the bond for their deposit and others, and also completing any forms.

Some people, such as those with a disability or an older person, can’t make it to the council office. In these cases, the Housing Solutions Team can arrange for the applicant to be visited by a member of the staff, or they can take applications using Typetalk.

Types of schemes and housing advice provided

The council helps the homeless and low income from the Bond Guarantee Scheme. This will assist with the rent deposit, and it is for private housing if the landlord agrees to it. Applicants will also need to be on benefits or homeless, have no or very little savings age 16 or older, or they can be threatened by homelessness. Also, the Durham Council will require the applicant to seek a loan from a Credit Union first, so the person will need to try that option too.

The bond will only help with a rent deposit for private sector housing that is in the area, and the landlord needs to agree to the scheme. Also, no tenancy agreement should be entered into before the Durham County Housing Solutions officer inspects and approves the property, as well as ensures the home is affordable. The county wants to ensure the home is safe and meets all eligibility criteria.

The bond works by providing insurance in the form of a binding agreement to the landlord that any damage or arrears will be covered by the Durham Council. While the amount can change, in general it will be an amount of £400. In some exceptional circumstances, a cash deposit and payments for an admin fee may also be paid by the council as part of or in lieu of the bond scheme.

Also, the assistance will last only for up to six months of the tenancy, so the person in the home will need to save and budget in order to take over the deposit after that time frame, so it is a short term programme. After the 6 months are up, the tenant will need to make a cash payment to the landlord to replace the bond guarantee.

Other advice and support is provided by Housing Solutions Service advisers to tenants as well as the homeless. The team can help people find temporary accommodation, give advice, and other services depending on the applicant’s circumstances. They provide advice for mortgages, residents with debt arrears, and others that are vulnerable. They will also arrange applications to the rent deposit scheme for private accommodations, and if the individual is not eligible for the council scheme, then signposting is provided to other options.

There are various offices in the county, but the main location is at Crook Civic Centre, North Terrace, Crook, County Durham. The telephone is 03000 260 801.