Council offers cash to free up rented family homes
3 months ago
Council turns to private landlords to house benefit tenants
10:01 AM, 16th February 2026, 2 months ago
9
Categories:
A council is urging landlords to rent out their properties to tenants in receipt of housing benefits.
Sheffield city council is looking for landlords to lease their properties through its private rented sector (PRS) scheme.
The news comes as last month, Exeter city council urged landlords to fill vacant homes via a free scheme.
Guaranteed rental income
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) reports on its website that the free scheme by Sheffield council is looking for one, two or three-bedroom properties in the Sheffield area.
The council says landlords can benefit from a guaranteed rental income, with the council guaranteeing rent for the fixed term of the tenancy, as well as access to the Damage Liability Scheme, under which the council will cover any damages caused by a tenant in the property.
The council say the tenants who use the scheme are usually in receipt of some benefits, even when working.
Under the scheme, councils will match tenants on their waiting list to the property with a local authority representative organising and attending all property viewings and managing the contract.
Sheffield city council say the landlord will retain full management of the property throughout and make the final decision on offering any tenancy.
To find out more information on the scheme landlords can view by clicking here.
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Previous Article
Putting your home address on Labour's public Landlord Database?Next Article
Tenant referencing under the Renters’ Rights Act?Related Articles
London council appeals for landlords to tackle housing crisis
12 months ago | 11 comments
Welsh council initiative to attract private landlords
1 year ago | 5 comments
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1587
10:57 AM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
There is absolutely no chance that I would help the council in this manner. Any promises that they make will be broken when the council is declared bankrupt.
A working tenant is likely to get a pay rise every year. Meanwhile, Local Housing Allowance is frozen more often than it is not.
I will continue to choose my tenants (within the bounds of the law, naturally).
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
10:57 AM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
so reading this as it stands, the LL still has a direct contract with the tenant so still under RRA and any SL requirement, yet the council ‘manages the contract’.
???
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 781
11:34 AM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
The landlord remains full management – so all the risks then.
Member Since December 2024 - Comments: 4
12:37 PM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
I use a similar scheme in Plymouth The council however takes over full management of the property and pays full market rent. Ive leased the property to them for 3yrs. 2yrs in and ive had no issues whatsoever.
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 781
12:48 PM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Rush at 16/02/2026 – 12:37
Much safer with a lease arrangement although post RRB you are unlikely to get vacant possession at the end of the term.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 582
3:22 PM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Don`t trust councils to deliver
.
Ive taken one on trust
.
Payment for RIA and deposit will be with you in 5-10 days Sir . 25 days on I am still waiting
Ive taken another on trust
.
Within 2 weeks of our 1yr year contract with you ending you will have your property back to sell Sir. 11 mths on from the contract ending I`m still waiting
Repeat – Don’t trust councils to deliver
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 4
5:07 PM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Maybe they shouldn’t have sold off all the social housing stock on the cheap.. that in turn benefited the banks and mortgage lenders opening a new wave of mortgage slaves. And driving up housing stock prices.. the system is so rigged and corrupt.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 8
11:28 PM, 16th February 2026, About 2 months ago
For the fixed term … That means at the end of that, you are on your own….
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1173
6:38 AM, 17th February 2026, About 2 months ago
… and if a landlord then declines to accept the tenant, the Council will investigate them for benefits discrimination.