A council is offering a “free tenant matching service” with a £500 free gift to entice private landlords to lease properties to its choice of renters.

Cheshire West and Chester council has launched what it calls the PRS Service and claims it will help landlords “sustain independent successful tenancies and reduce homelessness.”

A statement goes on to say: “The PRS Service will offer landlords a free tenant matching service putting forward a choice of tenants who are ‘Tenancy Ready’ with the skills and ability to maintain a successful and sustainable tenancy. Gratuities of up to £500 and other incentives are provided for landlords. Landlords and tenants are supported throughout the tenancy period, with advice and guidance, and tenancy mediation.”

The council is also organising a forum – working alongside the National Residential Landlords Association – and a spokesperson for the authority says: “Housing is a basic need and we want to make sure that everyone has a place to call home. We cannot solve housing issues through social housing alone. There are many good landlords in Cheshire West and Chester and we are proud to work with landlords and agents providing quality homes already through our Landlords Forum, and are looking forward to working with even more landlords with our new offer of the PRS Service. At the same time, we will continue to tackle landlords who are not meeting the required standards in providing quality safe housing for residents.”

The forum takes place on November 21.