South Oxfordshire rent deposit help from council guarantee scheme

Homeless individuals or people seeking a more affordable home can receive assistance with their deposit from bonds and guarantees which are issued by the South Oxfordshire Council. The government is aiming to stop homelessness in the district and they have partnerships or schemes in place with landlords on private rented accommodations.

What is provided to the landlord is a guarantee on the rent deposit and also reimbursement for any possible damages that could occur to their property. This will help encourage them to enter into a tenancy agreement with an individual on a low income or a person that was formerly homeless. The South Oxfordshire has placed hundreds of families into homes over years as a result of this scheme.

Bonds can help certain people in the area, and in order to apply they need to have a local connection and also be over the age of 18. The applicant also needs to be found to be in housing need by the council and either homeless or facing eviction from their landlord. Many people seeking the guarantee for the deposit on a new home are also unemployed or receiving a housing benefit, so the scheme can help in different situations.

The funds are limited, and the council will need to turn many applicants away. When this occurs they will offer referrals to other charities or organisations in the Oxford County area or other locations. There are other not-for profit charity type groups that also assist with housing needs and offer support, including hostels and shelters.

To those that are eligible, what will happen is the person seeking tenancy will need to apply at the council. Then, when a landlord asks the person to pay a security deposit or for rent in advance to move in, then the guarantee scheme can be used. At this point what will happen is a bond will be issued by the council in place of cash for the deposit.

The tenant needs to agree to all terms. One is that council bond will last for any period up to 12 and it can only cover up to a maximum of six week’s rent. Another is they can also only let certain properties, such as flats, bedsits, houses and lettings of spare rooms. Many landlords appreciate the guarantee as they know it has the full backing of the council and they honor it, so the property owner is encourage to let to the individual.

The bond will only cover the deposit that is due, but the tenant still needs to pay the future rent. If they think they may struggling with this future expense, then they can apply for the housing benefit or even the Universal Credit, and the council can help with those applications. If this is done, the government benefit will only pay for affordable flats or homes, and the benefit will not cover expensive homes.

To seek more information on the deposit bond, stop by the council office at Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8ED. The process takes time, as volunteers or housing specialists need to visit the property to ensure it is safe, and they also need to meet the landlord.