The Private Rented Access Scheme has been set up to support people registered with the council as homeless and living in temporary accommodation. It enables them to secure accommodation in the private rented sector more easil by funding rental deposits and first advanced rent payment to private landlords.
We also work with a private company, RentGuarantor, which offers an insurance-backed service, paid for by tenants. This will provide extra security for landlords for rent and legal proceedings should a tenant fall into rent arrears.
All of the properties in the scheme are checked by the council to ensure they are safe, secure and suitable, to ensure the maximum chance of a tenancy succeeding.
In addition, we contact all tenants in accommodation secured via the Private Rented Access Scheme, three times in the first six months of their tenancy. This is to make sure they are managing their tenancy and their rental payments. Under the scheme, the private landlord rents their property directly to the applicant and a tenancy would be between the landlord and applicant.
The Private Rented Access Scheme is being delivered as part of the Mansfield Homelessness and Prevention Strategy 2024-29 and is being run as a pilot project for a year from 1 February 2025 with the option to extend the scheme if it is successful.
Landlords interested in joining the scheme or wanting more details can email the Housing team (link opens in email app) or call 07934159405. Those seeking accommodation do not need to contact the council. If they qualify for the scheme, the council will already be aware of their circumstances and eligibility.