BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
THE TENANCY (Rent) DEPOSIT GUARANTEE SCHEME
WHAT IS THE TENANCY DEPOSIT GUARANTEE SCHEME (TDGS)?
It is a scheme which replaces the need for a cash deposit to be paid by a new
tenant to a landlord. Instead, the Council gives a guarantee under certain
conditions. The scheme has been set up to help people who are accepted by the
Council as homeless.
HOW DOES THE SCHEME WORK?
- The Council accepts those who are considered homeless or threatened with homelessness under the provision of the homelessness legislation.
- The scheme will assist a person in obtaining long term accommodation in
the private sector.
- In return for a renewable tenancy of at least six
months, the scheme offers landlords the following:
- a written guarantee of a deposit not in excess of the equivalent of four
weeks rent (assessed by the Rent Officer);
- part or all of this
deposit will be paid to the landlord if and when the tenancy ends and a
successful claim is made upon the Council;
- a claim may include damage to
the
property
whilst occupied during the tenancy, but will not cover fair wear
and tear. Any money paid out by the Council will be recoverable from
the tenants who occupied the property during the period of the guarantee;
- direct payment of any Housing Benefit to the landlord;
the Council will use its best endeavours to see that alternative
accommodation becomes available for a tenant where the landlord is
seeking possession
under a Mandatory ground for possession. This may avoid the
need to take Court possession proceedings. This would be more convenient
to
the landlord
and less costly to the tenant;
knowledge that a tenant will have been advised about their
responsibilities and their acceptance to be bound by the terms of the tenancy
agreement
and the rent deposit guarantee.
AS AS A HOMELESS PERSON SEEKING RENTED ACCOMMODATION, DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT HOUSING THROUGH THE SCHEME?
For those people seeking rented accommodation, in principle there is no reason why a private rented home would not be suitable. The scheme will be a way of assisting the Council to fulfil its legal duty to make sure you find a home. The scheme will only cover accommodation suitable to meet the applicant's housing needs as assessed by the Council. If an applicant chooses a property which is larger in size than is needed to accommodate their family or is unsuitable for some other reason, the scheme will not apply.
The decision on which home to accept still rests with you as the applicant as long as you do not unreasonably refuse to accept suitable accommodation which is available. You can approach as many landlords or agents as you wish as long as they are happy to take part in the scheme and that they are reputable landlords or agents.
WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN ON THE COUNCIL'S HOUSING REGISTER?
All private tenants who are qualifying persons in the BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
area can apply to have their name placed on the housing register. The Council's
allocation scheme gives priority to people in housing need. Separate details
are available on request regarding the Council allocation scheme. The length
of time you can expect to wait for re-housing will depend upon your housing circumstances,
but there is no guarantee that you will be re-housed.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
If you feel you meet the criteria specified in Paragraph 1 of this leaflet, apply to the Housing Advice Section who will give you a letter of introduction to take to local landlords or Letting Agents. The letter explains the scheme to the landlord who will then help you to look for a suitable home if they accept the terms of the deposit guarantee scheme. Please note that you will also need to apply for Housing Benefit. To qualify for Housing Benefit you will need to satisfy all criteria and the home you choose must not be inappropriate for your needs or too expensive. The rent must not be more than the rent assessed by the rent officer for the type of property in the area.
Once you have found somewhere suitable you will need to get back in touch with the Housing Advice Section so that the paperwork and other notifications can he sorted out. The Council will also arrange to inspect the property to ensure that its condition is satisfactory for letting and to record the condition of the premises at the commencement of the tenancy. The Council will only start up a deposit guarantee once all conditions have been met and agreements have been signed.
Upon vacation of the property you must notify the Council in order that an inspection can be carried out as you leave the property. This is the only way that we can judge whether a landlord will have a legitimate claim against the guarantee.
You will also be responsible for ensuring that any inventory is checked and that the terms of the tenancy agreement are acceptable to you and that you agree to be bound by them.
A HOMELESS PERSON SEEKING RENTED ACCOMMODATION, DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT HOUSING THROUGH THE SCHEME?
r those people seeking rented accommodation, in principle there is no reason why a private rented home would not be suitable. The scheme will be a way of assisting the Council to fulfil its legal duty to make sure you find a home. The scheme will only cover accommodation suitable to meet the applicant's housing needs as assessed by the Council. If an applicant chooses a property which is larger in size than is needed to accommodate their family or is suitable for some other reason, the scheme will not apply.
AS A HOMELESS PERSON SEEKING RENTED ACCOMMODATION, DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT HOUSING THROUGH THE SCHEME?
For those people seeking rented accommodation, in principle there is no reason why a private rented home would not be suitable. The scheme will be a way of assisting the Council to fulfil its legal duty to make sure you find a home. The scheme will only cover accommodation suitable to meet the applicant's housing needs as assessed by the Council. If an applicant chooses a property which is larger in size than is needed to accommodate their family or is unsuitable for some other reason, the scheme will not apply.
The decision on which home to accept still rests with you as the applicant as long as you do not unreasonably refuse to accept suitable accommodation which is available. You can approach as many landlords or agents as you wish as long as they are happy to take part in the scheme and that they are reputable landlords or agents.
WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN ON THE COUNCIL'S HOUSING REGISTER?
All private tenants who are qualifying persons in the Bedford Borough
Council area can
apply
to
have their name placed on the housing register. The Council's allocation scheme
gives priority to people in housing need. Separate details are available on request
regarding the Council allocation scheme. The length of time you can expect to
wait for re-housing will depend upon your housing circumstances, but there is
no guarantee that you will be re-housed.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
If you feel you meet the criteria specified in Paragraph 1 of this leaflet, apply to the Housing Advice Section who will give you a letter of introduction to take to local landlords or Letting Agents. The letter explains the scheme to the landlord who will then help you to look for a suitable home if they accept the terms of the deposit guarantee scheme. Please note that you will also need to apply for Housing Benefit. To qualify for Housing Benefit you will need to satisfy all criteria and the home you choose must not be inappropriate for your needs or too expensive. The rent must not be more than the rent assessed by the rent officer for the type of property in the area.
Once you have found somewhere suitable you will need to get back in touch with the Housing Advice Section so that the paperwork and other notifications can he sorted out. The Council will also arrange to inspect the property to ensure that its condition is satisfactory for letting and to record the condition of the premises at the commencement of the tenancy. The Council will only start up a deposit guarantee once all conditions have been met and agreements have been signed.
Upon vacation of the property you must notify the Council in order that an inspection can be carried out as you leave the property. This is the only way that we can judge whether a landlord will have a legitimate claim against the guarantee.
You will also be responsible for ensuring that any inventory is checked and that the terms of the tenancy agreement are acceptable to you and that you agree to be bound by them.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SCHEME PLEASE SPEAK TO THE HOUSING ADVICE SECTION AT THE TOWN HALL, BEDFORD ON 01234 221785/6.
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