Tenant group claims rising rents to blame for homelessness increase
3 months ago | 9 comments
Council urges landlords to fill vacant homes via free scheme
12:01 AM, 27th January 2026, 3 months ago
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Landlords in one city with empty properties are being encouraged to work with a council-backed scheme designed to bring homes back into use quickly and with minimal cost.
The council says it wants landlords who want to fill a vacant property and avoid letting agent charges to get in touch.
The Exeter City Council initiative, the Housing Access Together, has been regularly promoted since its launch in 2019 and connects landlords with households looking for private rented accommodation.
It is open to homes of any size and offers a fully funded route to securing tenants.
Long term arrangements
The scheme focuses on creating long-term arrangements that suit both sides with landlords receiving up-front cash incentives.
Deposits and rent in advance are also processed quickly to reduce void periods.
Each household is matched to a property following suitability and affordability checks.
Support is also provided on the landlord’s regulatory duties.
Right to Rent checks
The council says it will carry out Right to Rent checks and supply a tenancy agreement where required.
There’s ongoing assistance throughout the tenancy if issues arise, the council claims.
Landlords who sign up retain full control and they have the final say on whether to grant a tenancy.
More details are available through the council’s Housing Access Together webpage.
Tags:
council tenant scheme, empty homes Exeter, Exeter landlords, Housing Access Together, landlord incentives Devon, private rented sector Exeter
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Property value change for landlords with sitting tenants?
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 781
9:22 AM, 27th January 2026, About 3 months ago
Presumably these homes are empty for good reasons – perhaps the council could consider paying for them to be brought up to the required standard and committing to maintain that standard for the duration of the tenancy?
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 88
10:26 AM, 27th January 2026, About 3 months ago
I worked at a progressive local authority in the early 2000’s where this initiative was used and was a great way to develop good relationships with private landlords and address the housing and homeless needs in our area.
It really is not that radical an idea and to be honest I couldn’t understand why more local authorities had not opted to develop better relations with the PRS and landlords…until I realized that in the main, local authorities are not interested in complying with their OWN statutory housing and homeless duties and will deliberately alienate the primary source of accommodation providers because of ineptitude, incompetence maladministration and -certainly where Liverpool City Council are concerned – malfeasance!
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 400
11:23 AM, 27th January 2026, About 3 months ago
Drop the ‘Renters rights act’ and I might think about it!
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
3:06 PM, 27th January 2026, About 3 months ago
Be best really for the Council to purchase these properties for themselves. Then there will be no requirement to upgrade to minimum EPC ratings like the private rental sector.