An agency that works with over 170 councils is promising rent guarantees and insurance cover to landlords who volunteer their properties for local authority use.

A statement from Help2Rent – which calls itself “a local authority-funded social and private housing provider” – says it collaborates with over 173 councils nationwide, including key areas like Birmingham, London, Newcastle and Manchester. 

“Properties are required all over the UK, meaning every area will be considered” it says.

It offers landlords one month’s rent in advance, one month’s deposit and what it calls a “unique rent guarantee insurance policy, which is backed by Royal Sun Alliance and LPG (Legal Protection group).”

This policy covers “sustainability rent guaranteed for 24 months (dependant on local authority)” for up to £2,500 monthly rental coverage.

There’s legal protection up to £25,000 and mediation coverage up to £330.

Landlords must have gas, electricity and energy performance certificates in place.

Help2Rent says: “Being that we are funded by the local councils meaning there is no cost to you, our services are completely FREE.”

It continues: “Along with this we mentor all tenants to ensure tenancy sustainability and to make sure rent is paid on time through universal credit. This is also coupled with the fact that we also schedule APA to ensure that all universal credit payments go directly to you or the landlord.”

The agency adds that it assists in “avoiding evictions and addressing barriers to sustainable tenancy” and “helping with rent arrears repayment” plus “resolving disputes around repairs and tenancy agreements.”

Finally it says that “if a property’s rent is deemed too high, we can offer market rates. However, there would be no upfront payments as we guarantee rent directly from us, in arrears. We would take the property under full management and cover all non-structural damages to the property equal to a month’s rent.”