A council is seeking private landlords to participate in a controversial leasing scheme in a bid to curb homelessness.
The use of temporary accommodation services has increased exponentially in the Bridgend area of South Wales: there were 71 households in temporary accommodation at the end of 2018/19 and 253 households at the end of 2022/23, equating to a 256 percent rise within this time frame.
This situation has been compounded by a wider increase in demand for social housing.
Since 2019-2020, the total number of applicants on the Bridgend Common Housing Register at the end of each year has risen substantially. his is largely attributed to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, as well as the reducing number of properties that are affordable in the private rental sector.
Now the council wants local private landlords to participate in the Leasing Scheme Wales.
Subject to suitability, private sector landlords who join the scheme will receive a range of benefits which will be supported by Welsh Government:
- Guaranteed rent for the length of the lease at the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate (leases are initially for a period of five years);
- Where necessary, a grant of up to £5,000 to bring properties up to an agreed standard;
- Management of properties for the length of the lease, which will include property inspections, repairs, and maintenance undertaken on behalf of the landlords;
- Support to tenants throughout the tenancy.
A council spokesperson says: “The Leasing Scheme Wales will increase the supply of suitable and affordable accommodation for those in need, and help to relieve the existing pressures on homelessness services.
“The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for private landlords in the area, offering them numerous advantages. Landlords will be provided with financial, as well as practical and managerial support from Bridgend County Borough Council. This is a great proposal for landlords, and we hope that they take advantage of it.”
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Fantastic opportunity to go bankrupt
Landlords, we are sorry that our actions have increased homelessness, but please let us take over your properties for FIVE years. To apply, first obtain a certificate proving that you are insane.🤣🤣🤣
What could possibly go wrong ?
A lot i surmise 🫣
Councils aren’t giving properties back to landlords at the moment. They ignore the notice.
They put some terrible people in there too. Damaging the property, interfering with the electrics and growing cannabis. The Councils don’t put right all the other general damages either. It’s all wear and tear.
The Councils & GOVERNMENT drive out Landlords causing homelessness and now want landlords to solve the problem of homelessness! In other words the Council want to take over your Private property to utilise it as Social Housing...... absolutely NFC.
Whilst there’s a hole in my A…. it’ll be a no from me. At the end of the lease when the LL wants possession, the tenant of course will be told to stay put, costing the Landlord yet again.
No
😂😂 The humour never ends 🎉🎉
This would only ever be tempting if there was a problem letting our properties. Why would we need to take on this burden when we have gold-standard folk lining up to rent from us, because the government have exacerbated a shortage of rental properties?
They can Foxtrot Oscar
Prominently lacking from their request is an assurance that the property is returned in the same state or better than when took on.
I certainly wouldn’t trust any of my properties to such a scheme as they’re in good nick and who knows what state they’d be in after 5 years of council management.
Steve:
a/ You'd be lucky to get them back.
b/ If you do, they will be wrecked.
So right AJR. Every time one of these schemes is mentioned there is no clarity about whether landlords will get them back at the end of the fixed term with vacant possession.
Never trust a Council!
Only a lunatic would take this offer.
Yes, never trust a council. They have mismanaged their own social housing, sold them at 30% discount N now after private LL properties. A burnt kitchen worktop claim was not paid at all as they said they were only liable that few inches when the worktop is replaced. Another council refused to pay for a patch of iron marked burn, in the hallway as they said they would only pay for that part of the carpet, once the carpet is replaced. Refused to pay professional clean, even when they had asked for a professional clean before hand. They did not pay for removal of large items left by the tenants. They said as a landlord. I wish to let it to someone else, so I should make arrangements to remove the ex tenants items. I am afraid you can never win with the council arguments.
Councils deserve all the headaches they get by homeless people to be housed. They need to understand the consequences of their stupid, unthoughtful, unreliable actions.
Last week I received a survey to complete from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). They asked a lot of questions, including how many properties. I have, do I know the requirements of letting, amount of deposits taken from tenants, would I consider zero deposit (of course not), when renewed tenancy, last twnant leaving, did they leave without paying rent, what deposits were refunded. They were all questions, with options of multiple answers for selection. Nowhere they had a text box for freedom of speech or comments. They asked for an email to further communication, I declined that. They also asked how many properties, I have intention of selling within 2 years and why, with various options like RRB, recent legislative tax changes, high interest rates, council licensing. getting old etc. Of course my selection was first 2, rrb and tax changes. I wonder if anyone else received this survey for completion?
It's not a survey, it's a data harvesting exercise. The more any public entity knows about you, the more they will work out the angle to tax you (or worse).
I would ignore all of these things, stay under the radar as much as possible!
I believe I completed that one too, pointing out reasons why we are selling up.
I think they disappeared a couple of my comments a bit controversial maybe but true.
Don’t mention Citizen Khant🤔 Kim Jon Norwood does not allow that. 😡
Tomorrow will probably see Mr Khan in for 3rd term, how can he get so much TV time / ITV He’s on there so much, with that level of exposure what chance have the other Candidates got we don’t even know who they are.
Susan Hall is another candidate. True Khan has got a lot of press. Very likely he will win, what a shame!!
I have been hoping that the REFORM candidate would step down and ask his supporters to vote for Susan Hall who has a chance. Khan plays the r-card very cleverly against her when she mentions knife crime. The result? Another machete attack, a young boy dies and other are injured including a policewoman. 😡
AS, you are right, it is a data harvesting exercise. However, I am happy, that I got an opportunity to have a say. I managed to say, I shall sell 5 of my properties within 2 years for recent legislative changes, tax changes and very cost of maintenance. If LLs do not get such opportunities, they complain, so where do we stand. We need to voice the reality of the PRS. They do not listen or do not retract, then they will know the cause of catastrophic situation of the homelessness that will increase 4 folds in 2 years. The charities, the government and council deserves all the blame put at their doorstep. They will make it difficult for LLs to sell property with even higher capital gains tax, the tax relief has been reduced, that is detrimental to property sellers.
Even if offered £20,000, I would refrain from engaging with the local councils.
It would be more prudent for them to allocate £2,500 towards tenant training and enhancing communication skills with UC to effectively address challenges with difficult tenants.
Moreover, relying on LHA rates may not suffice for mortgage approval due to their inadequacy relative to prevailing market values.
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