Dorset Council launches additional incentives for landlords

Dorset Council is looking for more landlords to work with the local authority, believing it could save them up to 15% of rental costs that are currently swallowed up in agent management fees.

Tenancy sustainment officers working within the Housing Service are currently supporting landlords to house tenants that are looking for the long term home, as the Council looks to reduce the number of tenants in temporary accommodation and build enhanced links with landlords.

The team provides a free matching service and support tenants and landlords through the whole tenancy.

Our new Key4Me scheme provides the following financial incentives to landlords:

* Cash incentives, that until now have been paid on an annual basis, dependent on the size of the property. Payments range from £1,000 per year for a one-bedroom property rising to a maximum of £4,000 for a four+ property.

* Support during the tenancy if there are any tenancy issues arising

* Pet bonds

* Arrears bonds

* Rent in advance/deposit

* Dedicated support for both tenants and landlords

* Free tenancy agreements

* Free inventories

The tenancy is between the landlord and the tenant, with Dorset Council sourcing the tenant from people looking for homelessness assistance. However, the landlord remains in control of who they will accept.

The initiative is designed to get more people into secure accommodation with the Council checking and confirming landlord compliance ahead of the start of the tenancy.

The rent either goes directly from the tenant to landlord or from the Department of Work and Pensions to the landlord with the landlord responsible for all compliance, repairs and maintenance, mirroring the private lets in the wider community.

Following conversations with landlords over the past few months, the council is to stagger the payments to landlords so that they receive their current annual tenancy payments in three tranches across the year, providing them with greater financial security.

When working with normal lettings agents, legislation only allow landlords a 5 week cash deposit. However, Dorset Council can offer them deposit bonds covering up to 12 weeks rent and in addition provide them with a £400 pet bond, adding a whole level of reassurance that lettings agents are unable to do.

And landlords will also gain access to Dorset Council schemes to advice and assist them with property renovations.

Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet Portfolio lead for Housing, said the scheme was already showing good progress with ten lets agreed: "The biggest hurdle facing households is the financial cost of securing a new home. The aim of the landlord incentive scheme is to bridge that gap by providing financial assistance, and also importantly, enhance our relationships with landlords to encourage them to see the benefits of working alongside us.

"Our scheme will help households access private rented assurance shorthold tenancies, particularly those who otherwise would not be able to meet the funds themselves. Our offer is amongst the most generous in the South West, and I believe it is in the interests of landlords to work with us."

Notes to Editors

Landlords can find out more information about the scheme on our website - https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/landlord-incentive-scheme?p_1_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DKey4me

The scheme is discretionary. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for help.