Rent Deposit Scheme

What is a Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme?

A rent deposit guarantee scheme offers private landlords a guarantee in place of a cash deposit, in order to help people who are in receipt of benefits or on low incomes secure accommodation in the private rented sector.

Who can get help from Crawley Borough Council's rent guarantee scheme?

To apply for the scheme applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be homeless or threatened with homelessness
• Have recourse to public funds and be capable and financially able to manage a tenancy
• Need the financial assistance of the council to be able to access private rented accommodation
• Have a connection to Crawley by one of the following:
• Permanent employment in Crawley
• Lived in Crawley for six out of the last twelve months or three out of the last five years
• Have immediate family (a parent, brother or sister) who has lived in Crawley for the last five years or more
• Not owe any money to Crawley Borough Council
• Not have any outstanding current or former rent arrears with any previous landlord
• Not have lost accommodation due to anti-social behaviour in the last five years

Scheme Conditions:

• Applicants will need to finance their own rent in advance costs (and agency fees if accommodation is found through an agency)
• Applicants must sign a payment agreement to build the value of the deposit bond over an agreed period of time to enable them to become independent from the scheme
• Applicants will be accepted on to the scheme for a period of six months. If they have not been matched to a property or been able to find their own property within this time their application will be closed and they will only be eligible to re-apply to the scheme after six months.
• Applicants will have a maximum of three offers from the scheme. If all offers are refused then the application will be closed and they will only be able to re-apply to the scheme after six months.
• Deposits will initially be renewed on a six monthly basis to assess tenants conduct and ensure that their repayment agreements are being met
• Deposit guarantees will not be renewed if applicants have not kept to their repayment agreement
• Applicants will not be moved to another RDS property if they have not kept to their repayment agreement.

How can I apply to the scheme?

You can enquire directly to Crawley Borough Council's Housing Help Point or to another advice agency in Crawley. If necessary a housing advice interview will be booked for you, during the interview you will be given advice on your housing options and assessed for your suitability to apply to the rent deposit guarantee scheme.

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What happens next?

If you meet the criteria of the Rent Deposit Scheme you will be required to complete a Rent Deposit Scheme application form and provide further information about yourself, such as identification and proof of income. A decision will be made within five working days by the Rent Deposit Scheme regarding your suitability as an applicant, however if we are not provided with all of the information that we require, the process will be slower. Please do not look for a property unless you have received a letter from us confirming that your application has been accepted.

Putting it all together

So we have accepted you onto the scheme, you have found property and the landlord will accept Crawley Borough Council's guarantee. You will contact your Rent Deposit Scheme Officer and let them know, they will arrange a time for an appointment. If you need to make a claim for housing benefit this will be done at the same time, however you will be expected to provide all the necessary original documents needed to make a claim.

Final Word

We wish you every success in your new property and hope that your tenancy runs smoothly. Should any problems arise, talk them through with your landlord first. If they still cannot be resolved you can contact our Tenancy Relations Officer for any tenancy related problems. Do not forget to start saving for your deposit as you will have to pay this to your landlord after 6 months, should they renew the tenancy. If your landlord does make a claim against the guarantee for any rent arrears or damage caused to the property, Crawley Borough Council will take steps to recover the cost of any claims paid out from you. You will not be considered for the Rent Deposit Scheme in the future until you have paid all guarantee costs back to Crawley Borough Council.

Are you a landlord with a property to rent?

If you are landlord and have a property you would like to rent through the rent deposit guarantee scheme it is now easier than ever. The rent deposit scheme offers private landlords a guarantee in place of a cash deposit. This can help people who are in receipt of benefits or on low incomes to secure somewhere to live in the private rented sector. To find out more information about the scheme complete this online form and a Rent Deposit Officer will contact you.

Useful links

• Support for Private Landlords and Tenants