North Hertfordshire Council rent deposit guarantee

Council support is available for paying deposits for people on the housing register in North Hertfordshire as well as the homeless. The main scheme available will in effect provide the landlord with a guarantee that any damage or rent arrears will be covered, and this will help reduce pressure on a prospective tenant to come up with the cash on their own for a deposit.

The scheme is only for people either that are homeless or on the council’s housing register. In some cases, there may be assistance for families on a low income in North Hertfordshire that are threatened with homelessness. An application will also need to be submitted and a contract signed with the council that gives the exact terms of the deposit guarantee.

The funds are limited, and the council will only guarantee deposit that is equivalent to one months rental expenses. There will not be any assistance available for gas bills or related costs. The aim is to insure against any damage that may occur to the landlord’s property. This will also provide coverage for any damages, theft, or even rent arrears that may occur over time.

However, the tenant is ultimately responsible for the property. If the landlord does submit a claim at the end of the tenancy agreement, then the North Hertfordshire Council will then require the resident to repay them. The tenant needs to repay any money paid to the landlord from the deposit guarantee back to the housing team.

If the tenant does not do this, then legal action or other steps will be taking against the tenant. This is a serious matter, and if necessary court action will be taken by the housing options team at the council to try to recover the money. Also, the resident will never be able to apply to any other council schemes, whether it is welfare or something else.

Another part of the guarantee scheme is the housing team will help resident find a property or flat in the district. There are only certain landlords that participate, so the priority will be on directing people to those landlords. However, if the individual has another property in mind, then property owners can always register with the council.

Once a home has been located, the owner of the property and the resident need to notify the council. The team from the council will inspect the home and the agreement terms. After that has been approved, all parties will enter into a tenancy agreement. The property needs to be affordable and safe, and meet other conditions. If this does not meet the terms of the council, the no assistance will be awarded.

The future affordability is key as it is the responsibility of the tenant to pay the future rent on their own. They can do this from either their income or they can even use any housing benefit payments, if they receive them. The North Hertfordshire Council housing options team can help people both maximise their income and fast track a housing benefit application, if the person needs this help.

Also, the scheme will not pay utility bills. It is therefore the tenant’s responsibility to pay these costs, whether they are electricity, telephone, gas, water bills or tax. These household expenses are not covered by the scheme. If people need help on this, then the council has suggestions and read more gas and electric bill help.

For more advice or to apply, the Housing Options Section at the council is located at Gernon Road, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3JF. The main phone number is 01462 474000.