Rent Deposit Bond Guarantee Scheme from Kent Council

Find help in locating, moving into, and paying the deposit on a private property in the Kent area. The local council can provide a guarantee to the landlord on the tenant’s deposit, and the funds will cover any future damage, rent in advance that is due, or the deposit itself. Priority is for people threatened with homelessness as well as the low income. To find more information or apply, the Rent Deposit Officer can be contacted at 01304 872206

While the funds will first be considered a grant as it doesn’t need to be repaid to the council, note that if the tenant damages the property then the money will need to be repaid by the person that was rewarded the money. So in that case it switches over to being considered a loan. The amount of money issued is limited, and will pay for only on month worth of rent.

The applicant will need to be responsible for finding the property from a local landlord as well as entering into a tenancy agreement, which is called an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) in Kent. This agreements needs to be for at least six months, and the tenant will need to meet all conditions asked of the landlord. The Housing Team may decide to inspect the property, and the rent needs to be affordable and the property safe to live in.

The scheme can be combined with other assistance programmes, such as the central government Housing Benefit. So what a person could do is use the Bond Guarantee to pay the rent deposit or moving costs, then use other aid such as the benefit for future rent costs.

After the individual moves into the new home the tenant will need to pay the rent on time, keep the home clean, ensure repairs are done by the property owner, and agree to all other terms asked by the landlord and the tenancy agreement. If the tenant receives a government housing benefit, then that can be used if the landlord agrees to it. Or all costs will need to be paid from their income.

The Deposit Bond Guarantee will also not pay for any utility or gas bills, and the tenant is also responsible for all council taxes and other costs that are due from the landlord. If there is a water meter, then the tenant will need to pay those costs too. If these other bills are not paid, then the individual could be evicted as the property would be unsafe to live in.

In order to free up money for their electricity and other bills, landlords across Kent will also allow tenants to use their Housing Benefit for paying rental costs only, if they receive it. Or the individual can apply for this bond if they need help with maintaining their new flat, as the council will partner with the resident in this case. This will also come with its own criteria, such as income limits need to be met, the tenant needs to inform the Housing Benefit Team of any problems, and there may be budgeting and other criteria too.

While the council in Kent would like the tenant to agree to a tenancy agreement at least of 6 months, in some cases there can be a month to month agreement entered into. In this case there may need to be a new application submitted to the council in order to remain on the scheme. All criteria will need to be continue to be met, such as there can’t be damage or rent in arrears on the home.

For more information on the scheme, specialists from the Housing Team are available. Or call the officer in order to submit an application.