News Council working with landlords through Homefinder scheme
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is calling on landlords to take part in its Homefinder scheme.
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is calling on landlords to take part in its Homefinder scheme, a cash incentive scheme to encourage landlords to work with the council to provide housing to residents on the Housing register.
Sharon Hoy, MBC Accommodation Procurement Officer said:
“Maidstone Borough Council is committed to securing quality homes across the borough to our homeless families, providing support to both landlords and residents to maintain and succeed in their tenancy, with a wide range of sizes, types and locations to suit a range of residents’ requirements.”
Incentives of the scheme include a one-off generous lump-sum payment, a bond in leu of a deposit, free advertising, free tenant check-in/check-out, a free specialist third-party inventory service, six monthly tenancy sustainment visits, reduced financial impact of ‘void periods’ and dedicated customer support throughout the process.
Local landlord Michelle Baxter who has taken part in the MBC Homefinder scheme said:
“I found the Homefinder scheme to be a great alternative to using the traditional letting agent. Maidstone Borough Council provides a professional service in finding tenants, and it is nice to think that you can provide a home for families who are in need who perhaps wouldn’t normally be able to access quality homes through the private sector.”
MBCs Homefinder offers landlords the opportunity to take part in three schemes which should meet their individual needs:
- Homefinder Flexible Incentive (one off payment depending on the size of property)
- Homefinder Guaranteed Rent Scheme (what it says on)
- Homefinder Office Scheme (a one-off cash incentive for your property for 2 years)
Maidstone Borough Council Procurement officers will match the most suitable prospective tenant to the property and support them throughout their tenancy. Furthermore, each individual property must meet and agree to a set of criteria from MBC to access this incentive.
Sharon Hoy added:
“The aim is to reduce the burden on temporary accommodation and provide families with good quality, long-term sustainable housing.“It is important we continue to work with private landlords in and around the Maidstone area. We are encouraging landlords who are interested in the scheme to contact MBC to find out more about the Homefinder scheme.”
For further information, please contact the Housing Team on telephone: 01622 602252, or email: homefinders@maidstone.gov.uk.