LANDLORDS
Let us help
You might think being a landlord sounds like a great way to earn a living, but it can
be tougher than you imagine. Letting homes is not always easy – and finding the
right tenants is often a challenge. Quinton Drawbridge reports.
T
his is where Ealing Council
can help busy landlords. It
has come up with a hassle-
free alternative to costly
lettings agents: Its ‘direct let’ scheme,
which pairs landlords with tenants
looking for a home.
Not only is the scheme free, the
council also offers landlords a one-
off cash incentive equivalent to 12
weeks’ rent in advance, as well as an
inspection of the property to help
make sure it is fully compliant with all
the changing rules and regulations.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKS
If the property fits the
bill, the council will
shortlist three
potential tenants
who are looking
for a new
home.
Increasingly,
these are
families that
are in-work,
reliable and just
in need of good quality, affordable
accommodation.
The council and the landlord
mutually agree the rent the tenants will
pay and the landlord chooses which
tenants to go with.
It is a quick and easy process and
all the landlord needs to do is sign up
for a minimum of a year. In return, the
council’s dedicated team helps with
all the necessary forms, like housing
benefit applications, and contributes
£250 towards landlord insurance. It
also provides advice on how to make
property improvements and access
grant funding.
Thomas Young, an
Acton-based landlord,
said: “I have let two
households via
the scheme so
far, with a third
one pending.
It provides me
with suitable
tenants that
are pleasant to
deal with.”
IMPROVING THE RENTED SECTOR
Councillor Peter Mason, the council’s
cabinet member for housing, planning
and transformation, said: “We’re
committed to continuing to improve
Ealing’s private rented sector. Our
direct let scheme does that by making
it easier for landlords to provide safe,
secure and affordable accommodation
that meets the needs of a rapidly
changing rental market.
“One of the biggest causes of
homelessness in recent times has been
private sector tenancies becoming
unaffordable. However, this partnership
with private landlords can help an
increasing number of working families
live in genuinely affordable homes that
meet their needs.”
MORE INFO
If you are a landlord
and you are interested
in finding out more, call
020 8825 8765/9876 or
email [email protected]
Landlord Thomas Young
around ealing December 2018
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