The Private Sector Access Scheme is to help low income individuals and families access the private rented sector better.
We have agreed to cover the cost of a deposit, which is equivalent to no more than five weeks’ rent, in order to secure a private sector tenancy.
The upfront fees required to move into a rented property are often unaffordable, whether potential tenants are in work or rely on benefits, as landlords and letting agents require a month's rent in advance and a deposit upfront before they can move in.
We will pay the cost of a deposit to the landlord or letting agent, to be protected in a government approved tenancy deposit scheme.
If you require assistance accessing the private rented sector, please contact the Housing Options team to make an application.
You will have to have a housing need and meet the local connection criteria, found in the policy for this scheme, and be on a low income in order to be eligible for the scheme.
If you are a landlord and would like to be involved in the scheme, you can contact the Housing Options team too. You will need to provide:
- An Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- The most recent Gas Safety Certificate.
- The most recent Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The landlord will have to show that they have protected the deposit with a government approved deposit scheme and show us that they have completed a full written and photographic inventory.
Example Inventory Templates
- Self-Contained Inventory Template (pdf 57kb) (for printing only)
- Self-contained Inventory Template (Word 192kb) (to download, fill in and print)
- HMO Room Inventory Template (pdf 49kb) (for printing only)
- HMO Room Inventory Template (Word version 135kb) (to download, fill in and print)
- Private Sector Access Scheme Policy (pdf 302kb)