Council to revamp its landlord incentive scheme to help Ukrainian refugees
2 years ago | 8 comments
Council urges private landlords to help ease housing crisis
12:02 AM, 12th April 2024, 2 years ago
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A council is appealing to private landlords to help a growing number of residents in need of housing assistance because its homeless bill is ‘no longer financially sustainable’.
It says there are several reasons for the rise in demand, including flooding, the cost-of-living crisis, and the recent end of Ukrainian host placements.
This surge in demand has strained their resources, with temporary accommodation like B&Bs proving expensive and unsettling for families.
Landlords, both experienced and first-time, are encouraged to contact Shropshire Council to discuss property suitability and receive assistance with paperwork.
‘We’re appealing to private sector landlords’
The council’s cabinet member for housing and assets, Cllr Dean Carroll, said: “Facing homelessness is a worrying experience for anyone, so we’re appealing to private sector landlords so we can continue to offer vital housing support to those most vulnerable.
“We can offer support for landlords to help house households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
“Currently, all types of accommodation are needed.”
He added: “You could be an experienced landlord with a portfolio of properties and just looking for tenants, in which case, we can offer a tenant matching service where we will interview and assess all tenants before they approach you. “Or you may be a first-time landlord, and benefit from extra support our team can give with setting up the tenancy and handling all the paperwork.”
Around 100 people in B&B accommodation
The council says that there are around 100 people in B&B accommodation currently which is costing £6,125 per night.
That means the council is spending around £190,000 per month, or £2.3 million every year.
Shropshire Council highlights that it is facing ‘unprecedented financial challenges’ and keeping people in this type of accommodation is ‘no longer financially sustainable’.
The council also says that the accommodation doesn’t ‘achieve best outcomes for the individual’.
Consequently, it wants to avoid using temporary accommodation and wants ‘settled accommodation with private sector landlords’.
Financial incentives and extensive support to landlords
The council is offering financial incentives and extensive support to landlords willing to participate, and the package includes:
- Financial help to pay towards deposits and rent in advance – paid to landlords directly
- Tenants support and advice to help ensure that tenancies are sustainable
- Providing specialist advice on tenancy matters and changes in the law
- Help to resolve disputes if they arise
- Providing a named point of contact from the start.
Tags:
Cost of Living Crisis, homelessness, housing assistance, Housing Solutions for Homeless Crisis, Landlord Assistance in Shropshire, Private Landlord Incentives UK, Private Landlords, Shropshire Council, Shropshire Council Housing Crisis Support
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1574
7:53 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
Not a chance. Councils do us no favours. Start treating landlords better and maybe some of them will trust you.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 235
8:24 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
When there’s a queue of working people with good incomes and home owning guarantors for each property available, no thanks!
To councils and government, you reap what you sow.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3511 - Articles: 5
8:48 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
all councils are in the same position, this week South Cambs and now Shropshire…who’s next?
Interesting article spotted this week stating all hotels housing asylum seekers to close by December…people being shifted out now.
This means the rush on accepting their claims for asylum now puts them in the category of allowed to make a claim for housing wherever they want so more are rocking up to the local councils for help….and apparently the government are expecting the private sector to help.
hahahahahahahhah!
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1574
9:18 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
My local Council are charging me 100% council tax for a property that a housing benefit claimant left uninhabitable.
Rest assured, if they are short of houses, I’ll be sure to make mine available. I’ll even send them the AirBnB link.
Or maybe they’d like to buy it from me. Of course, I’d have to charge 3% more than it is worth to cover the additional SDLT I had to pay.
I know why we have a housing crisis. I did maths at school. Shame the politicians did degrees in knitting instead.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
10:26 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
The councils are having a laugh, aren’t they?
Do they really think they will find a lot of help from people they hate?
Hilarious.
They should ask Shelter to step in. Good luck!
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
10:35 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
So they want private landlords to house the dross with ‘help to resolve disputes if they arise’ – yes that means they advise the tenant to stay put until the bailiffs batter down the front door (thereby saving the council money). They must think landlords are mugs.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
10:35 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 12/04/2024 – 10:26
The Archbishop of Canterbury has a lot to say about it, and plenty of cash to spend on slavery reparations.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
10:37 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 12/04/2024 – 10:35
I went to Canterbury the other week, first time in years. Cost me £8.40 for 2 hours parking. So i guess the council must have a nice cash pile to spend on housing
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
10:40 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
Amazing, they put in arbitrary minimum room sizes for HMOs, to force permanently empty rooms, then find they are short of accomodation
Member Since February 2021 - Comments: 106
10:42 AM, 12th April 2024, About 2 years ago
Is this a joke?
Councils need to be lobbying government to help the PRS , not drive out of existence.
This is the result.
You reap what you sow.