A housing trust says landlords fed up with higher taxes and red tape should not sell up but instead lease their properties to the trust.

Derby-based Derventio Housing Trust provides over 600 single bed spaces across five counties for people recently been homeless. It says it needs more landlords to work with the trust as arrears increase and homelessness grows.

The Derbyshire Times reports that with the Renters’ Reform Bill driving landlords to sell, trust leaders want disenchanted investors to consider a move to the social market instead.

Annabel Flint, procurement manager at Derventio Housing Trust, says the social sector holds fewer risks for private landlords. 

She tells the Derbyshire Times: “News of the Renters’ Reform Bill has been met with some trepidation by landlords. Our message is, while we fully support the private rental market and the need for affordable housing in the private sector, for any of those landlords who are considering selling up, the Derventio property leasing scheme may be an attractive alternative option. 

“As a registered social landlord, Derventio Housing Trust is exempt from needing Section 21 notices, ASTs or even minimum EPC ratings, so those elements which may be making private rental landlords feel nervous would no longer be a concern.”

In common with some other local authority or housing association leasing schemes, the Derventio scheme offers guaranteed rent for the whole tenancy, low void periods no tenant damage to rectify, no fees, weekly inspections and what it calls “an excellent property management service.”

Flint continues: “I’d like to encourage any landlords with available properties to please give us a call to discuss the benefits of leasing with us. Not only can we offer you rent security and hassle-free property management, but also the benefit of knowing you are providing a home for someone greatly in need of one.

“Soaring cost of living costs, and the aftermath of Covid, have had a serious effect on many people who after falling behind on their rent have found themselves without their home. Anyone’s life can take a turn for the worse and we are here to try and provide homes when people need them. To do that, we would love to hear from any landlords who feel they’d like to lease their properties through us. 

“Demand for our services is only growing and the more properties we have available, the more people we can help.”