CHAP housing assistance from Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme in East Ayrshire

Community Housing Advocacy Project, which is also known as CHAP, provides a rent deposit scheme to individuals or families that are seeking a new home. The organisation will assist people that have a connection to Ayrshire, and they can guarantee a deposit that is due to a landlord for a new accommodation in the private rented sector.

Other aid is provided to, as well as support services. Specialists from the organization, the council as well as other charities in East Ayrshire also provide clients with free advice on other challenges they are faced with, whether debt arrears, job training, or other needs.

The Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DiGS) helps both landlords and tenants

Housing specialists from CHAP know that the landlord needs to benefit as much as the tenant, so the scheme is structured to assist all participants. The main benefit for the landlord of the private rented sector housing is that they will increase their income by having a tenant in their property, and at the same time their risk in letting to a tenant that is going through the scheme is reduced.

The property owner will be guaranteed the deposit is paid, and the scheme will also cover any damage that may be done to the property as staff from CHAP or the council will also ensure the tenant is caring for the property. The tenant will also go through budgeting, have help in finding employment, and have other services provided that will help ensure they pay the rent on time in the future.

Prospective tenants benefit in many ways. They will have financial help in paying the rent in advance or the security deposit for the new flat. Staff, as well as volunteers from CHAT, offer other advice as well to the client in order to help them sustain their tenancies in their new home. The following criteria need to be met to apply.

• All applicants need to be on a low income or housing benefits.
• The deposit can help people over the age of 25, or single moms under the age of 25 if they have children.
• Priority is for the homeless in East Ayrshire or individuals threatened with evictions / homelessness.
• CHAP will only provide the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme to those people who can’t gain tenancy or funds through other means.

The aim is to stop repeat homelessness in East Ayrshire, so many housing services are provided. If the Community Housing Advocacy Project can’t assist, then they will offer referrals to other charities for assistance such as financial management or signpost the client to other programmes.

The guarantee of the deposit will normally be for up to twelve months of rent costs. While the organisation will ensure the tenant continues to sustain the tenancy, DiGS will also cover any damage that is done to the home.

At the end of the tenancy, staff from CHAP will meet with the landlord. They will inspect the property one final time, as well as with the tenant, to ensure no damage was done. If there was, that is more than wear and tear, CHAP will then have the tenant pay for any costs or bills involved to repair the flat.

Services to sustain the tenancy in Ayrshire

Sustaining the tenant is also an aim of the programme. Staff from Community Housing Advocacy Project need to ensure the continuous payment of rent is made to the landlord, or that the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is paid if appropriate. The client also needs to pay any other bills they have, such as electricity or repairs.

Many other housing services are provided, as well as free advice, and tenant support. The aim is to help solve any problems that people with a connection to Ayrshire have. Staff can help with preventing evictions, fast tracking housing benefits, attend court on behalf of the tenant, help with repairs, address rent arrears, and review tenancy agreement. Some of these services CHAT provides, some are done in the form of referrals to other agencies.

If the client has rent arrears, contact CHAT or the housing provider, as they will explore any payment plans with your landlord or other solutions. If the tenant is evicted, they may not be able to get help from DiGS in the future.

The Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme is run in partnership with the local Council Housing Office. For more information on DiGS, applicants can call 01294 475636. Or the main office is at 71 Princes Street, Ardrossan, Ayrshire.