A council dominated by a residents association is looking for landlords of three-, four- and five-bedroom houses to sign up to its Private Sector Leasing Scheme.

Epsom and Ewell council has just four Liberal Democrats, three Labour and two Conservative councils, but is dominated by 26 members of a residents association who were elected to run the authority.

The administration claims its Private Sector Leasing Scheme assists local families in housing need “while reducing the risks and hassle of renting for landlords.”

The council will lease and manage properties for a period of three to five years. Landlords will be guaranteed rent, with six months being paid in advance. During the tenancy, the council will carry out any minor repairs up to the value of £500 per year and ensure the property is returned to landlords in the same condition as when the agreement started.

Landlords who lease their properties to the council are released from inventory or inspection costs, pay no letting agent or management fees, don’t have to register deposits with a tenancy deposit scheme, and have Right To Rent checks conducted automatically by the council.

A spokesperson says: “We are all aware of the housing crisis that is affecting cities and towns across the country, and Epsom & Ewell is no different. It is a priority for the Council that we can provide good quality temporary housing for families in the local area.

“If landlords sign up to our Private Sector Leasing Scheme, it enables us to house local families within the community and minimises the disruption to their home life, work and school at what can be an already stressful time.

“The scheme is also good value for landlords and is relatively low risk when compared with letting the property on the open market.”

A landlord called Lee Wiffen is cited in publicity and is quoted as saying: “In my six years letting my property through the scheme, the professionalism of the team in the housing department is first class. The security of having great tenants and regular on-time rent payments, means I would not look any further, as a landlord, when looking to rent a property than the Epsom & Ewell Private Sector Leasing Scheme”