North West Leicestershire schemes for helping with deposits

There are three main programmes from the North West Leicestershire District Council. Not only will a bond be used to guarantee the deposit owed on private rented sector housing, but the Housing Choices Team provides many other services as well. All of the assistance is aimed at helping the low income or homeless.

Many families from the district that are on a low income request help from the rent deposit guarantee scheme. This is available in North West Leicestershire for those people that are struggling to come up with the cash to pay for their new flat or home.

If the landlord agrees, and if the prospective tenant is eligible, the council will issue a bond. This is different than some other schemes in the region, as it is a combination of a loan and guarantee. It will guarantee the deposit that is due for the home. The aim is to lower the risk to the landlord for renting to a person that is on a low income. The authorities will guarantee the property in for any rent arrears or cover damage to the property.

This is an interest free scheme. But it will need to be repayable by the tenant. This is done as the family will need to save a portion of their income to take over the cost of the deposit bond from the North West Leicestershire district council. So the guarantee is issued, but it is for a short period of time.

Additional financial aid can pay for a rent in advance. This will be issued in the form of a loan. However it is interest free, which reduces the cost to the tenant. The applicant will also need to repay any money to the council. So even if assistance is granted under the scheme, the responsibility for the funds are still due from the client.

No matter the type of aid provided, the private sector allows families to select a home of their choice. It may be closer to their school or source of employment. It is also usually easier to find a property and not need to wait on social housing, which has a waiting list.

Additional deposit or housing programmes in North West Leicestershire

In all cases, anyone seeking financial help is on a low income or even welfare. They often need assistance in paying any future rental expenses. For these residents, the authorities will try to fast track the request for housing benefits claims. This will ensure the application is processed as a priority.

The local housing allowance is for those tenants that are threatened with homelessness or currently sleeping rough. Also, the person will need to be local to the district and be in priority need according to the legislation in the UK. The person who is using this fast track service also needs to prove they are on the housing register in North West Leicestershire, or they need to be eligible.

Whether it is the deposit guarantee scheme or applications to a housing benefit, any property needs to be affordable. The council will not assist those people that are trying to move into a property if they can’t afford the tenancy over time, In these cases the team will only offer referrals. Other criteria include there needs to be an electrical safety certificate, the tenancy agreement must be at least 12 months, and the property needs to be safe after the inspection is done.

North West Leicestershire also has a listing of homes in the private sector which may be available to rent. Private landlords as well as housing associations list their properties on the Homefinder system. Or the client of these schemes can always find their own home as well. But in all instances the landlord will need to agree to a deposit scheme or any other council programmes.

A council officer will both interview the applicant and also visit the property that the tenant is interested in. All of this will be done before any assistance is provided from the deposit schemes. For more information, call the council at 0800 952 0079.