UK Bill Help

The Rotherham Council provides help to the vulnerable, homeless, and struggling tenants from a rent deposit scheme. A bond is available for (1) prospective tenants and (2) landlords so that they can find affordable housing. The homes or flats may also be offered as part of KeyChoices.

The government combines financial aid for the rent deposit along with the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) scheme, which can help people find affordable housing. In addition, the deposit scheme is also offered as part of Robond, which is a local charity.

Help from Rotherham council

The authorities will prioritise applications for both the rent bond and Keychoices scheme. In general, applicants are given different band numbers, either 1 through 4. Some of the criteria that are assessed include the following.

Is a person disabled? Or they homeless or moving from a care facility? If the person forced to move from their previous home due to abuse? In addition, the Keychoices bands also take into consideration if the applicant was homeless. Past evictions and employment are also assessed. All of this, and more, will determine whether a home is given or rent bond is issued.

Any type of financial aid (whether damage deposit help or local welfare/Funds for Change) is given along with other services around money. Some of those options include the following.

• Any tenant who is behind on their rent or was evicted due to money problems can get help from the council. They even may represent people in court.
• Rotherham Council and Citizens Advice also work together. The free advice from this organization is around debt, welfare benefits, Universal Credit, and other financial challenges.
• Loan sharks and banks with high cost of lending can also be reported to the Rotherham Borough Council.
• Debt services, whether for payday loans, rent arrears or credit cards, can also be supported by Citizens Advice at the same time that deposit assistance is applied too.

All of the organisations listed above not only help families on a low income or benefits, but the free services and advice can also be for tenants, the homeless, home owners, and those with mortgages. Anyone that lives in the borough may be able to turn to the council or Citizens Advice for support.

When it comes to rent deposit bonds, which is key to ending homelessness, the council will issue a guarantee to the landlord. It will need to be an approved home or flat that is safe to live in.

The bond will cover up to two months of rent. It will ensure the landlord has any damages or arrears covered by the council run scheme. It will help encourage the property owner to rent the home to the prospective tenant as if the rent goes into arrears, or the property is damaged, then the bond will cover the cost.

Keychoices is used to help the Rotherham resident find a place to live. There are properties in the borough that those on a low income can rent. It will help ensure they have a safe and affordable place to live.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has an address of Riverside House, Main Street, Rotherham, S60 1AE. To apply for bonds, housing, or other benefits, applications can be done online at https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/benefits