Help with rent deposit from West Berkshire Council

Residents with a local connection to West Berkshire can get deposit help from a few different council programmes. Funds are issued for helping prospective tenants pay a deposit on a new private rented sector home and there is also ongoing support available to help the family maintain the home, including from the Discretionary Housing Payment programme. The aim of the council is to assist the homelessness and people sleeping rough as well as prevent future homelessness in the borough.

For paying the rent in advance, the Threshold Loan may be able to assist eligible residents of the borough. The council provides this money, in partnership with the credit union, and all funds issued will need to be repaid by the tenant that receives the funds.

The council will issue a cheque directly to the landlord and the money will not go to the applicant. Before the individual can enroll into this scheme, they will need to agree to a repayment plan on the loan with the West Berkshire Council for the funds, and it can be done in monthly installments. There will be a review of the individual’s income and expenses done as part of this process as well.

Another option is the Rent Deposit Guarantee scheme. This is for individuals or families on a low income that are homeless, or there can be help offered for resettling them too. As far as assistance for moving, that type of support is for people threatened with homelessness.

If the landlord of the property agrees to a guarantee, the council will enter into an agreement with the property owner and the tenant that will provide funds to the West Berkshire based landlord if there is damage to the property. The guarantee will also address any rent arrears that may be due at the end of the tenancy. So this money will in effect encourage the landlord to rent the flat to the prospective tenant by protecting them from both damage and arrears.

While the amount of funds is limited, in general the West Berkshire Council scheme will guarantee the deposit for up to four weeks. This is meant to cover any property damages or rent that is in arrears at the end of the tenancy agreement.

However, the West Berkshire Council will then put a claim against the tenant for those additional housing expenses that may be due at the end of the tenancy. So the end result is the individual is still responsible for any costs, but it does help the tenant move in to the flat without needing to pay the deposit on their own. If tenant do not address any damage and repay the funds issued to them, then the council can even go through the court system and take legal action.

A third option is financial support to prevent evictions, and it can be provided by the Discretionary Housing Payment, and this relies on central government funding. This will more address any arrears on the home and can help the tenant maintain the private property over time.

While not run by the West Berkshire Council, Community Grants may be able to help with a deposit in some instances. This will tend to be only for individuals facing poverty or on a low income that receive certain benefits from the government.

Any person using one of these schemes will receive ongoing advice from the Housing Options Team at the council office. This is done in an effort to ensure the individual maintains the home, doesn’t damage it, and pays the rent on time. The advice will also address other housing problems faced by the tenant, such as employment or any debt arrears that are taking up their income.

For more information on any of these schemes, call the Housing Options Team, and their phone number is 01635 519588. The officers will give priority to people who can obtain an Assured Shorthold Tenancy as a result of the programme, and more details can be provided to potential applicants by calling. Or drop in at the office at West Street House, Newbury in Berkshire.