INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS & AGENTS

We work closely with a number of Letting Agents and Landlords in the Plymouth area and are always looking for more. We see ourselves, our clients and landlords all having the same goal: long term, stable tenancies, and aim to place tenants into accommodation that we know they have the skills to maintain.​

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Path & the Private Rented Sector

​We work with landlords & agents in a number of ways, the main ones being:

• EasyLet - our property and tenancy management service, run in partnership with the Plymouth-based social lettings agency PlymouthHomes4Let (PH4L). Visit our EasyLet page to find out more about this, and our links with PH4L
• Renting Support Service - general information on this can be found on our Renting Support page , as well as more specific information as to how we work with landlords below.
• Lodgings Scheme - developing routes for people facing homelessness (particularly under35's) to access shared & lodgings accommodation. You can read more about this on our Lodgings page 

 

Why work with us?

We provide a range of services and support, including:

• Referring prospective tenants to you who have a record of sustaining a successful tenancy (evidenced by references), and who have been assessed for affordability (including checking for previous HB overpayments that could mean a reduction at next property)
• Provision of a twelve month Deposit Guarantee in place of a deposit
• Require clients to open a Credit Union account and make regular, monitored savings to replace the Deposit Guarantee with a cash deposit after its one year expiry.
• Requesting first six months' Housing Benefit paid direct to the landlord
• Advice, support and problem-solving if required, such as tenant visits or liaising with the Housing Benefit office, and information about LHA Rates
• Providing template rent account spread-sheets
• Periodic reviews of the tenancy
• Give guidance on tenancies and tenants’ legal obligations
• Move-in and Move-out support, including photographic inventories
• Property inspections and checking certificates are in place; we may also be able to help to bring properties up to Decent Homes standards if needed

We will do our best to help resolve any issues. If we can't help, then we will aim to signpost you to someone who can. We can also refer tenants who struggle to maintain their tenancies to a specialist support service.

If you require a property management service please visit Plymouth Homes4Let at www.plymouthhomes4let.co.uk, or contact them on 01752 317408.

What do we need?

We need Landlords and Letting Agents who:

• Are happy to accept tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit
• Have properties which meet all legal requirements, i.e. have Gas Safe Certificate, Energy Performance Certificate rated at least 39, Electrical Safety Certificate within last 5 years, and are free from hazards (as under the Housing Act 2004)
• Are not resident in the property or providing B&B accommodation
• Free from conviction for harassment or illegal eviction

​If you are an in-residence landlord, and are interested in providing lodgings, please see our Lodgings Scheme information.

The client assessment process gives us a better understanding of our clients and their housing needs. Whilst we do not recommend which tenants to select, we can assist with your decision. However, it is important to continue to follow your own procedures when taking on new tenants – if you are a new landlord, we do recommend that you develop your own procedures, in addition to any assistance or advice you receive.

Landlord Information 

​This information is summarised in our Landlord Information Leaflet, which you can download below.  For any further enquiries please contact the Renting Support Team on 01752 293730 or email [email protected]

LHA (Housing Benefit) Rates

Plymouth Landlord Leaflet

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Contacts & Resources

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