Peterborough City Council has launched a new private rental scheme aimed at landlords who are looking for a long term tenant and a guaranteed rent.

The new leasing scheme, which gives landlords of private properties the option to lease them to the authority for up to five years, is designed to help the council reduce the number of people listed on the housing register, with the local authority taking on responsibility for maintaining the property throughout the tenancy.

The council has a good record of bringing empty homes back into use.

Of the thousands of privately-owned properties in the city that have been empty for more than six months, the council has helped to bring 663 empty properties back into use over the past five years, helping to address the issue of homelessness, which has been a major problem in Peterborough in recent years.

Cllr Peter Hiller, council cabinet member for housing, said: “Empty homes are a national problem and locally we are making great progress. I am proud of the work we have already done, but we are always looking to do more.”