UK Bill Help

Landlords partner with the Woking Borough Council to help prospective tenants with moving into a private rented sector home or flat. Using a combination of bonds as well as ongoing support and advice, the Private Rented Scheme (PRS) is one of the resources available in the area for preventing homelessness and helping people resettle.

All applicants for the scheme need to be on the Housing Register and meet other eligibility conditions, such as being on a low income and have no other sources of funds for the rent in advance or a security deposit that is due. There are other criteria in place as well, and some are listed below and the customer support team from the Woking Borough Council can provide more information.

Assistance provided by the PRS bond

For those that are eligible, up to £1,500 can be provided to them from the bond. The scheme relies on both landlords and tenants to participate and agree to terms. The PRS in Woking can provide the following.

• All applicants need to be on the Housing Register.
• All agreements are made directly between the tenant and the landlord, and it needs to be affordable and have a start and end date.
• Applicants need to be low income, have limited savings, and no other source of money for the deposit.
• The tenancy needs to be at least six months, and both tenants and landlords need to agree to this. If there are no problems such as damage and rent is paid on time, then the tenancy can be extended by the landlord.
• The Bond is only for properties that are registered at the Woking Borough Council. If a landlord wants to participate, then they can ring the Housing Options Officer to place their unit in the programme. Or the tenant can contact the council to get a referrals to a flat that is already part of the PRS scheme. This will make the process easier for both the tenant and the landlord.

Not only can the bond be issued for rent in advance and other costs, but the Housing Options team will also review other support. This can include help with applying for benefits, as this will help ensure the rent is paid on time in the future and the tenancy is sustained.

There is also assistance for people that are resettling or that need to leave their current home. If needed, the council can help people find alternative accommodation in the borough, and they may be able to apply for a bond for other properties under the scheme. This is a limited service and is mostly for those in debt with their landlord or that had an issue with their landlord that could not be resolved from mediation.

The bond will encourage landlords to let to people on a low income or that were homeless in the past. It will increase their chance of receiving rent, and also ensure the deposit is paid on time which will cover any potential damage. The Woking PRS scheme will also ensure the tenant has advice, guidance, and support, which should improve their financial condition and ensure future rent is paid on time to the landlord.

The bond is limited, and when available it only covers up to £1,500. This will be for up to one months of arrears or damage up to that amount. It pays for damage beyond wear and tear, however the council can go over the tenant for these funds if they want.

For more information on the PRS Private Rented Scheme, the Woking Borough Council team can be called at 01483 743834.