Incentive scheme for landlords reaches major milestone

Moves to reduce homelessness through a landlord incentive scheme have reached a significant milestone.

The Key4Me Scheme, which was launched in November, has led to 100 households being re-housed into the private sector.

The incentive initiative involves our landlord liaison officers and tenancy sustainment officers supporting landlords to house tenants rather than them using letting agents that often charge significant management fees. It is saving landlords up to 15% of rental costs.

A range of flats and 1–5-bedroom houses have been let through the scheme, helping people to move people out of temporary accommodation or where there is a risk of homelessness where they are currently living, and giving them greater security.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Community Safety, said she was delighted with the progress of the Key4Me initiative:

“We are turning the market on its head and proving that there are successful alternatives to expensive agencies or sourcing your own tenants.

“Housing is one of the four priorities for this council. Our collaboration with landlords means that we are helping more and more households to access the private sector on affordable terms as well as saving landlords hundreds of pounds in fees in the process, so everyone wins,” she added.

A Landlord Welcome of up to £4250 is payable in stages throughout the tenancy to thank them for working with us. Other benefits include:

• Help with Rent in Advance
• Help with a Deposit Bond (up to a maximum of 12 weeks’ worth of rent)
• Help with a Rent Deposit (up to a maximum of 5 weeks’ worth of rent)
• A Pet Bond (up to a maximum of £400)
• Free Landlord compliancy check
• Free support from our Tenancy Sustainment Team should you or your tenant have any concerns
• Free tenancy agreement and inventory.
• Free year's membership with the South West Landlords Association 

To find out more, visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/key4me