8th
Dec 2021
An initiative created by a council earlier in the year to help stop tenants from being evicted and to financially assist landlords, has been a resounding success according to the council.
Nuneaton and Bedworth council set up the ‘Landlord Solutions’ service to help tenants facing homelessness, as well as landlords contemplating serving an eviction.
The scheme’s aim is to help landlords and tenants resolve problems at the outset rather than a later date to help tenants keep their tenancy wherever possible.
The council works with what it calls. “partnership agencies” and the service provides help and advice even to find alternative accommodation if relevant.
Since the start-up of the service 123 renters have been helped and just 44 had to be referred back to the council’s housing team as the issues could not be resolved.
The council is hoping to resolve tenancy problems for 15 agents/ landlords.
So far nearly £30,000 in bond and rent advances has been paid to find secure accommodation to support 28 clients. At the same time 43 agents/landlords are in contact with the housing team about properties and some have been passed onto renters.
The council has uploaded glowing testimonials from tenants who were helped by the scheme:
One says: “I just wanted to email to say how helpful the project has been. I was told what steps would be taken and what they were going to talk about with the landlord. I was also helped with finding a private rented property and finding the bond and deposit.”
Another says: “I’ve felt much more relaxed with the project helping me, nothing was too much trouble and they helped in every way they could so wanted to say a big thank you.”
And a third: "I contacted Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council as I was given a Section 21 notice from our landlord. I was passed on to a Landlord Solutions Officer who helped me to find a suitable property for me, my husband and two young children. They helped me with a bond and first month’s rent as we were struggling and would have ended up homeless.”
A council spokeswoman adds: “This is a wonderful new initiative which is already proving very valuable for residents and landlords. It is fantastic to see that we have already proved to be so helpful for people in need and I hope that the service will continue to flourish.”
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