£65 million government support package for renters

£65 million government support package for renters

9:19 AM, 25th October 2021, About 2 years ago 4

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Vulnerable renters struggling due to the impact of the pandemic will be helped by a £65 million support package announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities today (23 October 2021).

The funding will be given to councils in England to support low-income earners in rent arrears, helping to prevent homelessness and support families get back on their feet.

The government is grateful to landlords for their support and the funding will mean more of them will be able to reach agreements with existing tenants.

Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes MP said: “We have taken action throughout the pandemic to support the most vulnerable families, and it is vital we continue to provide support as we enter the winter months.

“This new funding will support families that are struggling and help to get them back on their feet as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The £65 million will be available through the winter months and households at risk of eviction or homelessness should contact their local council if they require support. The fund recognises the impact the pandemic has had on households in the private rented sector with the lowest income.

The government has already provided £310 million to councils this year through the Homelessness Prevention Grant and this funding will increase that grant by a further £65 million this year. £140 million is also available through Discretionary Housing Payments, which can also be used to prevent evictions and help people find a new home.

The £500 million Household Support Fund provides £421 million to help vulnerable people in England, with the devolved administrations receiving almost £80 million. The funding is primarily being used to support households with the cost of essentials, although councils have flexibility to best address local needs. At least 50% of the funding is reserved for households with children.

It is for councils to determine the best way to support each household on a case-by-case basis. Any payment is likely to be paid directly to the existing landlord, or a new landlord if the money is being used to support a household to find a new home.

The government is grateful to landlords for their support and the funding will mean more of them will be able to reach agreements with existing tenants.


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Comments

Mick Roberts

11:13 AM, 25th October 2021, About 2 years ago

What they don't tell u is, normally the Council requires tenant to be given notice by the Landlord.
Tenant can't just go in & say I'm in arrears, help me.
So Landlord (me anyway) would have to pay someone to give notice in 2021 as I'm totally lost with all the allowable notices the Govt keep changing, as if u get it wrong, the Council Dept will just say in 2 months time, no Mick, u din't do this little tick just there.
So 2 months wasted.
Who then is paying for that notice? Is Landlord allowed to ask for the money cause of the banning of Tenant fees? As u can't let it go, cause u may then have to pay again in 6 months time & so on. Landlord only issued the notice cause of arrears & let tenant stop cause Council cleared arrears but he's down the professionals cost for the notice.

And the Council normally say We'll clear these arrears on condition u do a new tenancy, tying us both into all the latest rules & live there rent free forever regs.

Darren Peters

12:03 PM, 25th October 2021, About 2 years ago

I wonder if any of the money will be left after the council clear the council tenant arrears, perhaps council tax arrears, plus anything else they can think up.

North of England Hands Free Investor

22:27 PM, 25th October 2021, About 2 years ago

Still waiting on a Tenant paying up the rent arrears of nearly £1,000 yet they were more than happy to get Furlough Payment from the Government and invite the Local Authority into the property to inspect water damage which they had caused. Then me, the LANDLORD had to fork out £2,000 to make things acceptable to the Local Authority. What about the LANDLORD providing housing to these Tenants who are careless and quite happy to ignore calls from the Maintenance Team yet claim all the help going? What about a PACKAGE to HELP LANDLORDS who are providing quality compliant housing to TENANTS?

moneymanager

9:08 AM, 30th October 2021, About 2 years ago

"The government is grateful to landlords for their support and the funding will mean more of them will be able to reach agreements with existing tenants.".

I doidn't have that problem but rather long and persistent voids casued ENTIRELY by this "fauxdemic", international students - repatriated, Brits on corporate lets - gone, what help did we get, other than debt roll up on mortagages, standing charges continued on electrricity, and Councils accepting delayed but full payment?

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