A leasing scheme where a council asks private landlords to help solve its homelessness problem is to be extended.

Caerphilly council in Wales has been running the project since 2018 and now additional funding from Welsh Government has allowed it to expand the scheme and be branded ‘Caerphilly Keys Leasing’.

A statement from the council says: “The aim of Caerphilly Keys Leasing is to help private landlords find suitable tenants for their properties, whilst finding homes for those people who may otherwise have become homeless.”

The authority says the benefits for landlords include hassle-free guaranteed monthly rental income, no commission to be paid to agents, no empty property costs and no risk of arrears.

There will be full management of the property and tenant for the five year term of the lease, grants to carry out property improvements and increase energy efficiency, and tailored tenancy management and ongoing housing support provided to all tenants from council staff.

A spokesperson for the council says: “Caerphilly Keys was a groundbreaking project and the first of its kind for a Welsh Council.  We’re taking the successes and learning from the original scheme and enhancing it, thanks to Welsh Government’s Leasing Scheme Wales.

“I urge landlords with properties in the Caerphilly borough to get in touch with our dedicated Caerphilly Keys team to find out more joining and helping us find homes for those who need them.”

To find out more about Caerphilly Keys and the support available to private landlords visit www.caerphillykeys.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01443 873564.