UK Bill Help

The housing option and advice team at Waveney District Council can help residents on a low income and the homeless in the area. The group focuses on assisting people with accessing private accommodations, and this includes help for paying the deposit to a Homefinder scheme which allows flexibility and financial aid. There is also advice, ongoing tenant support, and other assistance provided, such as shared ownership.

The first thing people may need is help in locating a new private home, or even social housing. The Homefinders scheme is available to assist with this. The programme is only available to people that have been referred to the council from a CAB or local charity.

Homefinders will provide families a tenancy agreement of up to 6 months, and there is also financial aid for the client as well. A total of £250 may be provided, and the cash can be used to pay a portion of first months rent, admin fees, or some of the deposit. The council will always need to inspect the property and will only help people based on merit, and the home selected needs to be in the district or in Ipswich County.

A Rent Deposit Guarantee from the Waveney District Council is for landlords in the private sector who agree to this form of payment. An agreement will need to be made between the tenant, landlord, and council on a bond arrangement, and this will be issued in lieu of cash for the deposit. Among other eligibility requirements, the person applying for the bond will need to agree to save and budget, as they will need to take over the deposit after 6 to 12 months at most.

The aim is to help the low income or homeless access the private rented housing sector, which can often have higher monthly rents or deposits that are due. This is also a service the council provides in order to end homelessness in the area.

The private landlord will be issued the bond from the housing option and advice team, which is in effect a guarantee from the Waveney District Council. The government will be accepting responsibility for damage made to the property by the tenant. It will also cover any rent arrears if the tenant were to miss their housing payments. The amount of aid provided by the council will be at months 12 months worth of rent costs.

Credit Unions are another option in the Waveney District. The council partners with them, and many people can receive a low interest loan for their housing costs or paying other bills. They also provide free advice, information on budgeting or maximising income, and other support services.

Shared ownership is one more housing programme in the county. This is operated as a scheme, and the council can refer people to the Housing Associations that operate it. What the scheme does is allow individuals or families to rent just part of a property, such as one bedroom or some other small portion. The two groups that offer this support include Orbit Housing Association as well as Flagship Housing Group, and the aim is to provide individuals access to affordable and safe housing in the private sector.

Other support may be provided by the housing option and advice team at the Waveney District Council. People with a local connection or even the homeless can drop in at the office at Marina Centre, Lowestoft, NR32 1 HH, or the main telephone is 01502 523141.