FAQs - private sector lettings schemes

The incentive payment is to secure the tenancy, it is not rent and you don't have to pay it back. It is a payment to show our appreciation for providing your property to someone who is in great need, and helping address the housing issues in the city.

No, provided the tenancy has been ended lawfully.

You can charge a rent equivalent to a reasonable market rate.  See guide below.

*Price point in ranges cited above are dependent on location, condition, and other factors.

Note: For the Gold scheme there is a requirement to lower the rent to 90% of market rate value in exchange for services and the rent guarantee agreement - excellent value.

No, the landlord does not receive Local Housing Allowance or Universal Credit payments by default. But can be either at the tenant's request or if intervention has been required as a result of non-payment of rent.

You will know that property management can be complex as well as rewarding.

Landlords looking to lease under the Platinum Offer will pass management, rent collection, and day-to-day repairs responsibilities to the council's Leaser, Homecome. The Lease Agreement will detail remaining responsibilities.

Private landlords that would like to work with us under either the Gold, Silver, or Bronze offer should be familiar with their responsibilities and liabilities when renting a property out. As a minimum, landlords should:

• Ensure their property is free from health and safety This includes providing up to date gas safety certificates, ensuring all appliances and electrical fittings are free from faults, and following fire safety regulations
• Carry out repairs and maintenance in a reasonable time period. For urgent or emergency repairs, this should be no longer than a few days
• Let the tenant have quiet enjoyment of the If either you or a contractor / workman need to access the property to carry out non-emergency repairs, you should visit at a time that is convenient for the tenant
• Provide a tenancy agreement for tenants that includes the terms, who pays what and when, who is responsible for maintenance and your contact details (we can help with a standard agreement if necessary)

We will always meet with landlords to assure ourselves before entering into any agreements in order to protect the interests of prospective tenants.

We require the property to meet all the usual safety standards and will carry out inspections for all new properties on the scheme.

We provide support throughout, on all matters concerning the rent and any other tenancy issues. We have excellent links with Local Housing Allowance and Universal Credit professionals and can resolve issues quickly.

Very few of the tenancies arranged through the schemes experience management issues.

When they do arise, we can advise and/ or intervene in a number of ways to get the matters solved and the tenancy back on track. This can range from providing advice or issuing warnings to mediation between landlord and tenant.

In the event of rent payment issues we can intervene and switch Local Housing Allowance and Universal Credit payments to be direct landlord payments as well as resolve any back payments. When this is not possible, landlords on the Gold Offer can also benefit from the additional terms within the Rent Guarantee Agreement, which can be discussed upon expression of interest.