Social housing is not the answer for everyone. Due to the shortage of social housing, we assist people in housing need to find private rented accommodation.
Why private rented accommodation?
Social housing is not the answer for everyone, renting privately can be an important option.
If you are looking for a home:
there is an acute shortage of social housing - Demand for social housing has exceeded supply
there are increasing numbers on the Housing Register - there is a long waiting list for social housing and those on band D realistically may never get council accommodation. Most social housing is allocated to those on bands A and B who have the greatest housing need
it gives a better choice to households who want to live in a particular area where there are schools and local amenities i.e. transport, shops or hospitals etc
it provides an option to families in temporary accommodation to get more settled, stable and the right accommodation for you more quickly than we can through social housing
it offers choice to those households who wish to live within a wider community of private residential housing rather than in a high-rise tower block or estate.
it provides quality housing with a more realistic expectation of furnished accommodation or a house with a garden, which council accommodation may be unable to offer
there is assistance available with deposit and rent so that you can rent privately. Housing Benefit may be able to assist you either in full or in part with your rent depending on income.
We provide advice, assistance and support from a dedicated teams consisting of:
Direct Lets Officers (DLO) including a Senior Direct Lets Officer who are highly experienced in providing housing advice and support to tenants wishing to rent privately. DLOs also offer specialist advice and support to both landlords, letting agents and tenants in all aspects of schemes on offer and in relation to housing benefit and tenancy related queries.
A Landlord Liaison Officer (LLO) who works in close partnership with landlords within and outside the borough identify quality, affordable housing to meet the needs of our residents. The LLO also offers advice to landlords in all aspects of our direct lettings schemes, home improvement grants and initiatives on offer to landlords in our Borough. We also organise training events and landlord forums.