Schemes for rent deposits and housing from Swale Borough Council

Tenants and landlord that are local to the Swale Borough can drop in at the council centre for information on housing assistance. The local authorities have a number of services they provide, ranging from advice to help establishing a tenancy. They also support both tenants and landlords in the area. The Benefits Department tries to prevent homelessness in the borough, and also help the vulnerable and low income get the assistance they need. The main programmes from the council are below.

Landlords in the borough and across Kent can be accredited from a scheme. Anyone that enrolls will need to pay a fee and sign up for a course, but if they are successful the council will accredit them and they will gain other benefits. This will include tenants may select their properties local to Swale as part of the deposit scheme, they will be recognised as good landlords, and ongoing development is also part of the scheme.

Individuals that can’t afford to move into or pay the deposit on a new home may be able to get help from the Rent Deposit Bond Scheme. It is a guarantee that is issued to the landlord, and it is for those in the private rented sector market as well as ones that have been accredited. There are many components to this scheme.

For prospective tenants, the housing office and their team will perform an intake and assessment. The individual that is applying needs to have proof of income, savings, and residency as well as be over the age of 16. Assistance from the council is for both the homeless and those residents threatened with evictions, as the scheme can help them pay the deposit on a new affordable property in the borough.

The prospective tenant needs to select the home, and the landlord needs to agree to the bond as well. The property needs to be affordable and can only be £50.00 per month above Local Housing Allowance (LHA), as the council needs to ensure the individual can sustain the tenancy over time.

The home also needs to be approved by the housing department, as it needs to be practical and safe to live in. An inspection will need to occur by the Environmental Health Officer, and the property should not have too many bedrooms, and it can’t be in disrepair. In some cases the landlord or the council may require a guarantor as well, so the individual needs to provide this if requested. The rent deposit scheme is only for council approved flats.

If approved for the scheme, the council will provide the Rent Guarantee Bond to the landlord in lieu of the cash deposit. Only at that time should a tenancy agreement be entered into. The Swale Council will also arrange for ongoing advice and support to be provided to help the tenant main the home, ensure the rent is paid on time, and address other problems. Call 01795 417184 to apply.

The vulnerable in private homes can get help from the Staying Put Service. This scheme will help with any repairs or improvements that need to occur, and it can also assist people that own their residence. The Swale Council will provide this scheme to people on a low income that are disabled or elderly.

Most of what is offered from Staying Put is advice and referrals. The Housing Benefits Department can offer information on how to get money, such as grants or other source of funds. They also assist with estimates and have information on builders that have done this type of work in the past. The aim is to keep the vulnerable person in their home or flat, whether they rent or own, the Staying Put provides assistance to make this happen.