Rent Deposit Scheme

Aim of Scheme

The Rent Deposit Scheme aims to provide access to accommodation in the private rented sector for homeless people who would otherwise have difficulties in gaining access to private sector rented accommodation.

The Rent Deposit Scheme aims to assist homeless clients who are:

• deemed single non-priority under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
• people deemed to be homeless and in priority need, where the provision of short-term private sector rented accommodation will alleviate immediate housing needs while the client awaits suitable permanent housing.

The Rent Deposit Scheme will only take referrals from people who have applied to the local authority under the Homeless Persons legislation. Ask the housing officer to refer you to the local tenancy support team.

Suitability of accommodation

• We will inspect accommodation prior to inclusion in the scheme.
• The accommodation should be furnished either partly or fully.
  NB: clients may wish to use their own furnishings.
• The accommodation should be clean and have no obvious safety defects.
• The heating system should be in working condition. It is the landlords responsibility to ensure safety of gas and electrical fittings.
• Where there are obvious signs of disrepair flats will not be accepted onto the scheme.

We will assist landlords and tenants with paperwork including:

• Inventory house inspection.
• Rent deposit scheme agreement NLC /tenant.
• Rent deposit scheme agreement NLC/landlord.
• Rent deposit scheme guarantee bond NLC /landlord.
• Private sector housing benefit form.
• Discretionary housing payment form (under 25 clients).
• Backdated housing benefit form.
• Verification form (proof of clients id and income).
• Housing benefit mandate form must be completed in favour of the landlord.
• The tenancy support worker may keep a copy for the tenant's file.

Housing benefit paperwork must be completed on the date of entry and taken to the private housing benefit section immediately after completion. We will then hand deliver the private sector housing benefit form, verification forms, backdating form, and receive a receipt as proof of delivery.

We will ensure that each client is allocated a support worker who will work with the tenant to deal with any problems that arise withn the tenancy. The tenancy support team is responsible for ensuring that rent/benefit payment are in order.

They are also responsible for dealing with any queries that the landlord may have in relation to the tenant or tenancy. The tenancy support team will be responsible for dealing with problems relating to the clients conduct within the property.

The tenancy support team will be responsible for ensuring proper notice is given at termination of the tenancy.

In the event of a claim against the guarantee bond the following procedure shall apply:

• The conditions for making a claim are clearly set out in the agreements.
• Upon receipt of a valid claim we will assess damage /loss against inventory.
• Where claim is for loss of rental income we shall obtain payment details from private housing benefit section for verification of claim.
• Ensure that no further payments are due.
• If all is in order prepare cheque request memo for authorisation by tenancy services manager.

Ending the agreement

The Rent Deposit Scheme agreements clearly sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme, it also states how and when the scheme ends. In general terms the scheme ends after six months and the councils' financial obligations under the scheme ends.

However the council retains a moral obligation to continue to support the tenant and assist the landlord in all aspects of the tenancy. This could include ensuring future housing benefit forms are completed etc.

The agreement will end should the landlord fail to keep to the conditions outlined within the agreements e.g. sale of the flat, illegal eviction.

Private landlords who may be interested in this scheme should use the contact us box at the right.