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Landlords urged to join council’s ‘paper bond’ scheme to prevent homelessness
7:20 AM, 21st November 2025, 5 months ago
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A council is urging landlords to help people who are struggling to secure a home because of rising rents.
Powys County Council is promoting its Powys Bond Scheme, a package that replaces a traditional upfront deposit with a Paper Bond.
It covers damage and rent arrears to the same value as a standard deposit.
Also, tenants can build up their own savings over two years with Smart Money Cymru Community Bank.
The account is monitored, and the money is released to the landlord once the savings target is met.
Bond scheme for landlords
Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Powys Bond Scheme is a fantastic way for landlords to make a real difference in their communities.
“By joining the scheme, you’re helping someone avoid homelessness while ensuring you have the backing of our dedicated team every step of the way.
“Together, we can provide safe, secure homes and build stronger communities.”
The council’s scheme is aimed at people who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness.
Eligibility is based on affordability and personal circumstances.
Bond agreement signed
When a tenancy is agreed, the council works with both parties to sign a Bond Agreement that commits the tenant to regular savings until the deposit amount is reached.
Landlords receive a package of support, including inspections, inventories, help with tenancy agreements and ongoing advice.
If problems surface during the tenancy, the Bond team will intervene with guidance or funding options to prevent the arrangement breaking down.
Powys County Council says rent levels remain the landlord’s choice, although they should be realistic for the local market.
Local Housing Allowance rates also play a role, as these set the maximum level of housing support available through Universal Credit or housing benefit.
If the rent exceeds the LHA rate, tenants must cover the difference themselves.
While Universal Credit’s housing element is usually paid to the tenant, direct payments to landlords are possible in some circumstances.
That would be the case if the tenant had previously been homeless or may struggle to manage their finances.
Tags:
homelessness prevention Wales, LHA Wales, Powys Bond Scheme, Powys landlords, rent smart wales, Tenancy deposit scheme, Welsh housing
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Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:26 AM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
I stopped reading when I got to this bit “together we can provide safe, secure homes and build stronger communities.”
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 766
12:03 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 21/11/2025 – 10:26
Dont forget its everyone right to have a safe secure home
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
12:05 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 21/11/2025 – 12:03
And live in a strong community
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 782
12:40 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
What exactly is a strong community – one that makes a stand for what that believe in, or just one that votes for the party making the proposal.
Member Since June 2018 - Comments: 17
3:22 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
This sounds like a great scheme. I was part of an accredited landlord scheme, which operated in a similar way. It meant there was help available from a third, knowledgeable, party when things went wrong, such as rent arrears or noise. Which made a big difference.
Our scheme didn’t have the savings part, which is then presumably put in a protection scheme, and only covered the tenant for 2 years.
As it becomes much more difficult for renters under the RRA, this can only be a good thing, although we are now only accepting renters with the best jobs, references, credit history and guarantors possible, as a result of the new regulations.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
3:44 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
The problem with these schemes the applicants haven’t got the funds for the deposit therefore have no emergency fund should the unexpected happen, such as new exhaust on car needed, washing machine broken etc. Therefore much higher risk of rent arrears. Given the RRB is it really worth taking the risk with these low quality applicants ?
Regarding guarantors I thought these were banned under the RRB ?
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1450 - Articles: 1
4:11 PM, 21st November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 21/11/2025 – 15:44
The Bond is the deposit. BT you cannot access any monies held until you produce a receipted invoice for rectification works, for replacements etc etc.
You also cannot get any money for work the landlord carries out themselves.