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Prospective tenants in the Runnymede borough, who need help in paying for a deposit in the private rented sector, may be able to get assistance from the bond scheme. This may also offer furniture, legal aid, and other support. The council has assigned a Management Officer to provide support to the homeless as well as low income using this scheme.

The programme will only help pay the rent deposit using a bond. Or it can provide other services too. But the council will not be able to assist residents as they search for a home to live in. This needs to be done by the applicant. However the council may be able to refer the prospective tenant to centres such as CAB, which may have a list of landlords that have accommodations to let.

Many people from the Runnymede borough use this bond guarantee to help pay the security deposit. It supports the homeless and families living on a low income among others. Then, long term assistance for the rent will be from their housing benefit, also called the LHA – Local Housing Allowance.

Application process for the bond scheme

The Housing Management Officer from the Runnymede council will assess the application. They will make the determination whether someone is eligible for the rent deposit scheme. Some of the following information may be required.

• A reference is needed from a previous landlord.
• The council need need proof of income from the applicant from the last 2 months.
• Copies of bank account information is needed to verify affordability.
• An inspection of the private sector flat will occur.
• Proof of homelessness is that is the reason that an application is being done.

The monthly rent of the private rented sector home to be let needs to pass the affordability check. This means that the tenant’s income, or their housing benefit, needs to be high enough to cover the monthly payments. The Housing Office can go over the LHA benefits with the applicant to determine this.

Amount of deposit help in Runnymede borough

There are two programmes available. One is the three way bond agreement between the landlord, tenant, and council. The other form of assistance is Runnymede Rentstart, and this is only for single people without children. The amount of help provided will depend on what the client is enrolled into.

Either a bond is given, funds to pay the rent in advance, or money to guarantee the security/damage deposit. The authorities will make this determination. Any aid will always need the approval of the landlord, and they need to agree to this deposit scheme. Some landlords may not want to participate. In those instances, the Housing Management Officer will go over all the programmes that may be options in an effort to find a solution.

When eligible, and the landlord agrees, the rent deposit scheme in the Runnymede borough may offer the following.

-Up to one month of funds to pay the rent in advance.
-The bond scheme will be issued as a letter of promise from the council. This will state the authorities will pay a damage done to the property by the tenant.
-Up to £150 to pay for the Agent Administration fee.
-Furniture and white goods may be provided for the new flat.
-No interest loans may be provided for the deposit or excess rent costs too, and the payment plan for it will be £20 per month.
-Cash deposits may be given to some landlords who do not agree to a bond.

The Management Officer is always available to meet with the tenant and landlord to assess the property. They will go over how the bond scheme works, answer questions, and assess other benefits that may help both parties. There may be other programmes that offer assistance as well. No matter what is applied to in addition for financial aid, all terms of the three-way Bond Scheme agreement will be enforced.

The bond scheme assists over the long term too. The council as will as partners such as CAB in Runnymede provide free advice over the next 12 months if needed. They will support tenants as well as landlords to ensure tenancies are conducted satisfactorily. This will be done to prevent future homelessness in the borough.

To learn more or to apply for rent deposit help, the housing officer can be called at 01932 425870.