Incentives for private landlords to join social letti...

A local authority is offering private landlords incentives to join its new social lettings scheme.

Landlords in Slough who sign up can choose to receive a one-off payment equivalent to one month’s rent or enter an agreement where the council guarantees to pay up to a set amount for any damages caused during the tenancy.

The council will also find suitable tenants and provide support to landlords, including help resolving rent and housing benefit issues.

“A lot of the demand for housing comes from London boroughs, who are working with Slough landlords to re-house homeless families from places like Hounslow and Ealing.

We want those homes to go to Slough families and are keen to build closer relationships with landlords to make that happen” says a council spokesman.

“By working with us, landlords will have the benefits of our expertise, accessibility and local knowledge, as well as the satisfaction of knowing they’re helping families in their own community” he says.

The authority has written to 700 landlords to publicise the scheme and is planning on extending the offer to council leaseholders later in the year.

An arrangement has also been struck whereby landlords can lease their properties directly to Paradigm Housing, a registered social landlord which will accept tenants from the council. Paradigm will pay a guaranteed rent, as well as manage properties on behalf of landlords.

The council is also planning to hold a landlords’ forum later this year, aimed at bringing landlords together to discuss the big issues affecting them. Landlords wishing to attend should contact the authority.

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