New rental scheme for landlords approved to tackle homelessness

New rental scheme for landlords approved to tackle homelessness

0:02 AM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago 7

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Private landlords are being offered an initiative to rent out their properties to people who are homeless and get a cash grant to improve the property’s condition.

The scheme has been approved by Neath Port Talbot Council as part of the Welsh Government’s Leasing Scheme Wales (LSW).

Under the arrangement, the council will lease properties from private sector landlords and sub-let them to homeless people and families.

The council also says that its scheme will see it intervening to tackle empty properties and poor housing conditions in the private sector.

Move households from temporary accommodation

The main purpose of the scheme is to help the council move households from temporary accommodation and into a home.

Under the plan, the council will:

  • Lease 82 properties in Neath Port Talbot by the end of March 2027
  • Start with four properties by March 2023 and increasing the number every year.

Funding for the scheme is in place until 2032.

Pay rent directly to the landlord

A big attraction for private landlords is that the council will take on the property’s maintenance – and pay rent directly to the landlord.

There’s also £5,000 for renovations available too should the landlord’s property not meet minimum standards.

The money can also be used to improve the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

Empty properties being brought into the scheme

The plan will also see empty properties being brought into the scheme and these too will be eligible for cash grants to renovate them.

There is a maximum grant of up to £25,000 available, though grants of more than £10,000 will need to be approved by the Welsh Government.

However, the renovation incentives will only be available for those landlords who sign up for the homelessness scheme with the money being reclaimed by the council from the Welsh Government.

‘The scheme will help tackle homelessness’

The council‘s deputy leader and cabinet member of housing and community safety, Alun Llewelyn, said: “The scheme will help tackle homelessness by making more properties available and the aim is to improve the quality of private sector rental homes.

“It’s essential that tenants receive the support they need, and this scheme will provide that.”


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Comments

Robert M

16:35 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

A council actually willing to lease the properties from private landlords?
It certainly sounds positive, but I guess the devil is in the detail so it would be interesting to see the exact terms and conditions of the leasing scheme.

Reluctant Landlord

16:48 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

blimey!
Devil in the detail yes but certainly sounds encouraging. Take note Birmingham City Council!!!!

Contendedted

16:51 PM, 11th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Robert M at 11/01/2023 - 16:35
It’s a small number of properties and this would interest a lot of people who have just inherited a dated property. I doubt landlords would get a look in if we can take this at face value. I would like to think that local authorities are careful with taxpayers money and will seek the best deal that they can strike. There is irony that this is a self inflicted property given their attitudes and position regarding Welsh landlords.

Mahendra Tailor

5:16 AM, 12th January 2023, About A year ago

Sounds good Tameside council

Dave

16:52 PM, 12th January 2023, About A year ago

Local housing allowance is £113 PER WEEK FOR A 2 BED PROPERTY AND £94 FOR 1 BED IN WREXHAM.
Rightmove is showing that the asking price is about £150 + a week for a 2 bed house and £130ish for 1 bed.
That's a lot of money to loose....the LHA needs to keep up with the demand if this scheme is going to make any significant difference.

Contendedted

9:44 AM, 13th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Dave at 12/01/2023 - 16:52
You’re right of course. Local Housing Allowances are not keeping pace with rent. There is clearly no intention of doing so. I suspect that this is deliberate so that benefits claimants are unable to compete for housing and will continue to sleep on floors and settees of friends.

Mick Roberts

7:50 AM, 14th January 2023, About A year ago

The same Wales that's bringing in over zealous regulations are now handing out money to sort out the homeless mess they are creatihng.
Same as Nottingham City Labour Council Selective Licensing. Demand with hand, grovel with the other.

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