A council has just launched it own publicly-funded lettings agency and wants private landlords to sign up.
The 'Your Choice' lettings agency, run by South Ayrshire council, claims to be different from conventional agencies.
“Our focus is to help those on low incomes or people who have experienced homelessness. This fits in with our wider programme to reduce and alleviate homelessness where possible, as part of our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. It's not easy for everyone to find a quality home, your income and background often determine the kind of housing you end up with” says a statement from the agency.
It continues: “We're keen to hear from private landlords that want to help us make a difference. We provide a rent guarantee for the first three months, prepare all the lease documents and offer support throughout the tenancy.
“Working with private landlords means our dedicated team of housing professionals can provide access to property in areas not available on the housing list, so we're giving people more choice than ever.”
A council spokesman adds: ”This is an exciting new housing initiative which will bring about lasting change.
"First and foremost, we want to meet the needs of our tenants and ensure landlords are supported.
"We're determined to set the standard for quality, value for money and professionally managed property and give everyone a home they can be proud of.”
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Good luck with that. Another drain on council taxpayers.
😂😂😂 There are no Polite words I could write.
Why don’t councils work with the existing agencies, instead of doing a start up which is expensive and as history tells generally they fail which is a serious burden hon the tax payer, especially when councils are saying they a close to bankruptcy and making cuts in services. Working with existing professionals to me is a no brainier.
I wonder how this would sit under the laws of agency, particularly Fiduciary Duty? The fiduciary (agent) must act only in the best interests of a client or beneficiary (the landlord). So, could a landlord sue the council if they let the property at a rent below the market rate arguing that by accepting a lower rent, the council weren't acting in the landlord's best interest?
Yet another waste of public money- trying to offload tenants onto the private sector
Why not just offer to be permanent Guarantors to the private sector and give some confidence to both the landlords and the tenants. I can guess why…….!
Speechless.
Although they always manage to find homes for immigrants both legal and illegal. Funny that.
Really!! Where are you going with this. May I suggest you get some facts about the housing crisis we are having in England and how it’s funded. Who can and can’t be housed.
I am due to be evicted from where I've been living in a houseshare for 14 months due to other tenants behaviour as I'm in a relationship no one seems to want to help I've tryed everywhere estate agents council etc tell me house it's fair I live in Southend on sea for 49yrs and cannot get any help I'm at my wit's end
I am due to be evicted from where I've been living in a houseshare for 14 months due to other tenants behaviour as I'm in a relationship no one seems to want to help I've tryed everywhere estate agents council etc tell me house it's fair I live in Southend on sea for 49yrs and cannot get any help I'm at my wit's end
Putting homeless people in a landlords property & only guarantee the first 3 months, the risk is too high for landlords.
Or, a private landlord can go to a letting agent who will get a guarantor for the whole tenancy with tenants that have good history, credit & references? Ummm …
I totally agree. The best schemes ever worked to get private landlords on board are the ones with guaranteed rent and the tenants are managed by the local authorities. I know a lot of landlords who wouldn’t mind getting less rent but don’t want the problem of removing the tenants. It cost the council too much to run this type of scheme because the staff don’t manage them well. Council staff mentality with private business ideas. Rent collection and void control goes out the window Sorry.
This has worked BRILLIANTLY when attempted by other councils- so much for learning lessons.
Interesting. Attempted! What was the business plan for these schemes and which council. What exactly are you measuring. From 1980 these schemes have been in place and many failed. Since local councils never reinvent the wheels the chances are that most would copy the previous ones. It’s a ticking the box exercise to provide accommodation for homeless families. Sorry
@ Yvonne Roberts, I suspect Kristjan was being a tad sarcastic.
I hear you.
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