UK Bill Help

The local rental deposit scheme has helped those who encounter financial hardship to find housing. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is prepared to assist with deposits as the primary guarantor of a tenant who cannot afford to pay twice the normal monthly payment.

Simply moving from one flat to another is hard enough when factoring the moving costs and other utility deposits that must be made in advance. If you can afford the rent, then you should be given access to the property. The requirement of a deposit makes sense to your landlord, but how can you be expected to pay two monthly payments all at once before you move in?

The programme is an extension of the Smartmove Housing Private Rented Sector Access Scheme. It allows someone on a limited budget the potential to move into a new flat even when they don’t have all of the funds required by the landlord.

One of the most common assumptions is that a tenant must hand over all of the cash required to move in. Due to the support of the local Council, this is not always necessary.

A Council guarantee is provided to landlords who need to know that any unpaid rent or damages can be covered. Their fear is that a tenant might leave when they cannot afford to continue paying the monthly charges. Undiscovered damages could result in additional costs to the landlord that might include rehabilitation costs and vacancies.

One amazing feature of the Lisburn & Castlereagh rent deposit scheme involves the strength of the Council to guarantee a deposit. A landlord who consents to the scheme can approve a tenant application even when funds are not included with the transaction. Council has the option to guarantee the funds that are normally provided through one of the three scheme administrators.

How it works

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has the authority to guarantee the funds normally supplied by a deposit. When you are approved for deposit assistance, the Council will assure the landlord that arrears or damages will be compensated for, regardless of the status of the outgoing occupants.

Your request for assistance is evaluated based on merit as well as capacity. Upon approval, landlords are provided with the backing of a promise to provide the same financial protection that actual funds on deposit would offer. This bond is what can still give access to the private rented sector. Your Council has agreed to administer funds to give access to housing when income is barely enough to afford the rent and all of the other related costs the come with private housing.

The Council office is prepared to receive enquiries about the scheme. Residents who believe they meet the eligibility requirements for aid may call 028 9250 9250 to learn the next steps. It is expected that each applicant fulfill the necessary documentation to prove need. A willingness to improve your situation is also important. Council is supported through various national and local organisations:

• Housing Advice NI is determined to reduce the numbers of people who find themselves sleeping rough. They support this effort to improve the chances that a family who struggles to make it get every opportunity to prove they can be productive and self-sufficient.
• Smartmove NI also has information about the deposit assistance scheme. Call 028 9075 7801 to see what support is available and how to best apply in Lisburn or Castlereagh.
• Lisburn Welcome House is one of the first stops to gaining housing independence. The staff and volunteers are committed to helping you discover a path to self-reliance. The facility focuses on reducing disparity among ethnic minorities but is dedicated to giving help to all who deserve a small amount of support. Call 028 9266 4443 to arrange to meet support staff.

Getting help with a rent deposit is possible due to the guarantee rather than the cash handout. Landlords throughout Castlereagh and Lisburn agree to the terms of the scheme as a way of increasing the success of each tenancy. Council can help with a list of participating landlords as a part of the scheme.