Campaigning charity Shelter is partnering with HSBC’s First Direct bank to provide what it calls its first “renter support initiative” called Home from Home.
This will provide free expert housing advice to customers who are private renters in the UK.
Over the next 12 months, First Direct will offer what it calls “free support with issues they’re facing in their tenancy, like unaffordable rent increases and being served with an eviction notice.”
A statement from the bank says: “Private rents are now at record highs, with the latest figures from the ONS showing that as of August 2022 private rents in England have increased by 3.4 per cent in the last year. According to Shelter private renters are also more vulnerable to financial shocks, as almost half have no savings. The charity’s previous research also reveals that every seven minutes, another private tenant in England is handed an eviction notice by their landlord.”
As part of the new partnership, First Direct staff will be trained to work alongside Shelter to offer support and advice.with housing, debt and welfare issues.
First Direct chief executive Chris Pitt says: “No-one should face the prospect of homelessness. Our partnership with Shelter aims to support private renters who find themselves in difficulty. We believe that our customers should feel they can come to us for help when they need it.
“Our dedicated team and the experts from Shelter will be taking a hands-on approach to tackling the difficulties many private renters are facing as landlords pass on the costs of rising bills and mortgage payments. This is just part of the support we’re offering customers during this difficult time.”
And Shelter chief executive Polly Neate adds: “Rising rents and spiralling living costs are pushing more struggling renters to the brink of homelessness. Every day we help people to find or keep hold of a safe home, and our work is as critical as ever.
“Our partnership with First Direct will help their customers access vital housing advice and support at a time when they need it most. It will also help our frontline services continue providing free and expert support to thousands of other people facing homelessness, as well as helping us campaign for lasting change.”
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I used to have regular savings
accounts with First Direct, HSBC and M&S Banks, each paying 5% when the base rate was tiny. I moved on from them all ( got switching bonuses when I set them up and again when I moved on) but if they're now in bed with Shelter then I would have moved on for nothing.
I wonder whether the rogue tenants that Shelter support are better potential clients to HSBC and its subsidiaries than decent landlords, whom Shelter wants to destroy?
I really can't understand why HSBC, B&Q, Nationwide and others feel more affinity with supporting rogue tenants at the expense of those who are actually their customers and pay their dues.
I know B&Q work with Shelter on training but I think they've stopped the direct financial support. In their shops now they say they support local charities through the B&Q foundation.
The disgusting Shelter scam continues. Boycott all these organisations that promote Shelter to create homelessness. It’s immoral
I'm boycotting Tradepoint (B&Q) who I have had a trade credit account with for 20+ years, for Wickes just half a mile down the road from the Norwich B&Q store
£175 if u switch to natwest atm.
£200 for switching to Nationwide but they're also Shelter supporters, although you could take their £200 and then NatWest's £175 a bit later.
Perhaps Shelter and FD would like to build some extra social housing - plenty of money between them and the only way to reduce homelessness.
Businesses who step outside of their known area usually fail quickly - I really don't see how FD can become a player in the PRS. They should stick to what they know - banking.
So will these banks be putting their money where their mouths are, free overdrafts for renters with no savings, honouring STO rent payments when these peoples bank accounts are overdrawn ??
Andrew - Brilliant advice for these banks. Will they be offering the same support for the many unfortunate, hardworking people who have fallen behind with their mortgages!
Shelter with Charity Status who house no one continuously attack Private Landlords who house more people than tax funded Social Housing.
They only exist to knock people who do good and never give credit to Private LL’s for Housing millions off their own back.
They were behind the Deposit farce Schemes which became a liability not a protection. Failed with MP Sarah Tether private members Bill. Then behind 2015 Deregulation Act. claiming property damage to avoid eviction . Forced in ‘ How 2 Rent’ 8 page guide into our Tenancy’s against out wishes and never necessary, people knew how 2 Rent for decades before their interference even without computers, iPhones or laptops at their fingertips. Anyway that 8 pages have been re-written by them 13 times and now actually 45 pages and your Tenancy Agreement is not valid if you didn’t give it to the Tenants, they can think of enough badness. Again on the bandwagon supporting THE WHITE PAPER to inflict maximum damage on private Tenants with LL’s throwing in the towel creating a shortage of stock leaving them with no where to Rent. How can an unelected Organisation with Charity Status interfere with and change Government Policy’s into Law. I have an Account with First Direct that will be closing good by Cris Pitt.
£175 to switch to natwest atm. Free money to switch.
As a customer of First Direct I am deeply unimpressed!! Perhaps they would be better to offer advice on budgeting and not spending all your money on non essentials.
You've got to admire Shelter - they have hoodwinked numerous big businesses (Nationwide, FD, B&Q), the Govt and most of the population into believing they are a charity for the homeless when in fact one of the major cause of homelessness today is - Shelter!
Yes you are right there!! Its a shame there is no organisation able to promote an accurate picture of landlords and the PRS, that the vast majority of tenants are happy (more so than in social housing) etc etc. Oh yes the NRLA - why am I still a member I ask myself.
Removal of Section 21 the biggest cause of homelessness THE WHITE PAPER adding to this. Licensing Schemes a huge expense to private LL’s, fine , penalties, Rent -payments
Orders, Changed of Civil Law to Criminal Law especially to criminalise landlords. How can any of this be seen as supportive of the Private Rented Sector, its more like Treason attack anyone that does anything.
Agree with all the above, oh and of course let us not forget the ‘Section 24’!
We don’t expect to Government to do anything to help Private Rented Sector while we know they are doing their best to destroy it, they have no other agenda for us.
Look at them in Parliament they are like wild dogs fighting with each other and they are making laws for us, they are disgrace.
Anyone with these money laundering charlatans HSBC atm Natwest are giving £175 to switch to them. They do everything for you as far as the switch goes so it's free money. Switch and dump these cartel helping money washing hypocrites.
They will help tenants? How about lowering your interest rates for landlords so we can help tenants by keeping rents lower?? Oh wait that would effect profits, banks are pure disgrace.
"This will provide free expert housing advice to customers who are private renters in the UK"
Isn't this what the Government pays Shelter £15m pa to do?
I've just pulled. 1 less rental.
Too much red tape.
So this 'partnership' is being set up to help tenants in the PRS. Why not the SRS?
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