Suffolk Coastal District Council rent deposit help schemes

Residents of Suffolk Coastal District that are entering into a tenancy agreement on a private sector home can get help in paying the deposit on it. A scheme was designed by the housing options team and local authorities in an effort to help low income families or the homeless. The council will issue a guarantee to the prospective tenant for the damage deposit that needs to be paid, and this will reduce the risk of the landlord in letting to the individual.

The scheme is limited in scope and it will only pay up to one month’s of rent equivalency for the deposit. If a higher amount is required from the landlord, then the applicant will need to raise those funds on their own. The council may have suggestions on this, including referrals to Citizen’s Advice.

There are many other conditions in place as well, and the Suffolk Coastal District Council will require that the tenant pay for any damage beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the agreement if the landlord makes a claim. The housing team will also closely review all applications for fraud, and there will be legal action taken if this occurs.

Application process for deposit help

All applicants need to be on a low income, homeless, or facing an eviction. If those three conditions are met, then other factors will be reviewed. The applicant will also need to be eligible for a housing benefit from the government, and can’t have savings available to them for the deposit payment. People seeking help also can’t have a history of arrears in the past. They also need to be local to the Suffolk Coastal District.

The council will also require the tenant to sustain the agreement on their own over time, so they will need to pay the rent and be able to budget properly. They also need to take care of the home, and can’t damage it. So the guarantee for the deposit comes with many conditions, and the council will only provide the money to those that are needy and deserving.

The deposit scheme is time limited as well, and it will only last for at most six months. During this time frame the person will need to save money to take over the guarantee from the council. While they need to do this on their own, the council will offer advice and guidance to the participant.

Types of properties covered by Suffolk Coastal Council scheme

The Housing Options Team will only offer the deposit for landlords that agree to it. So they can help families find a home in the private sector and they do have information on properties that may be eligible.

Before entering into a tenancy agreement, the council needs to review the agreement. The flat or home selected need to be affordable, and the rent amount also needs to be sustained by the tenant over time, or covered by their housing benefit. The home also needs to be in good repair and safe to live in.

If the prospective tenant has a property in mind in the Suffolk area, the Housing Options can call the landlord and see if they accept a guarantee. This is one serve provided by the council. If the landlord does agree to the scheme, then they will receive assistance on how to go about registering their property.

The main council office is at Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1AU. People who are interested in the scheme can call 01394 383789.