UK Bill Help

A number of people who are local to Harrogate can get help paying for a deposit on a new flat or home or the rent in advance payment. The council, in partnership with charities such as the Salvation Army, runs the Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme, which provides a form of financial assistance on housing. It can assist a wide variety of individuals or families.

The bond is part of the government Homeless Prevention Scheme. There are several different criteria that an applicant can meet in order to get help paying the deposit, so it is wide ranging. The first is assistance is only for anyone threatened with an eviction or that is homeless now. Whether they are sleeping rough, or in a hostel, the applicant needs to have some form of income to pay future housing costs, electric bills, food on their own; the Harrogate Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme needs participation from the client.

Bonds, or rent in advance payments to the landlord, can also be made to people with a disability, whether it is physical or a mental health issue. There is also help for ex-offenders as well as youth under 25 who are sleeping rough. Bonds can be given to these groups as they may be considered to be in priority need.

Help from Bond Scheme in Harrogate

The first part is a guarantee to the landlord on the damage deposit as well as first months rent payment. The bond is a guarantee that the Harrogate Borough Council will pay the deposit as well as in advance payment to the property owner. It also pays for any arrears at the end of the tenancy agreement. The scheme is only for private housing; it does not pay for council homes.

Applicants need to have a source of income, as they need to take over the bond guarantee from the council at the end of one year. If the person seeking help from the Harrogate Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme needs a job, or other money management advice, then this can be arranged. As there is also training, budgeting, and debt reduction schemes from partners of the scheme, including the Salvation Army and Citizens Advice.

The Harrogate Bond Scheme offers other support as well to tenants. Many forms of assistance is given to the homeless or those who receive a guarantee from the council. As it is fully realized that financial help is only one form of support, and people in priority need often require much more support. This means that what may be given includes the following.

• Support services for the tenant – This is information packs provided on social services, charities, and welfare schemes (including DHP) for the family on a low income.
• Free furniture – Since the cost of housing is so very expensive, and the Harrogate Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme requires the tenant to take over payments, the family often has limited money for buying things such as furniture, bedding, or white good. The council will refer them to programmes.
• Housing Benefit assistance – Form filling for discretionary housing payments (DHP) if needed, or clients can learn about other places to turn to for rent help.
• Free mediation services – The Harrogate housing specialist can help resolve disputes between the landlord, tenant, or other parties.
• Linkage and signposting – This covers education, debt reduction workshops, volunteering opportunities at the Salvation Army, full time job opportunities, and more.
• The council will also help tenants in the scheme get certificates for gas safety as well as perform other property inspections. These services are useful as they help the family transition into their new home. It makes the move as easy as possible. The Housing Aid Team works with the energy supplies on this as well as building inspector.

The main customer service centre is at Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, Harrogate HG1 2AE. Or people can ring 01423 500600 to reach the Housing Aid Team. There are also 4 other customer service points in the borough, and they include Knaresborough Library, Boroughbridge Community Office, Nidderdale Plus Partnership Office, and the Mashamshire Community Office.