At the same time as central government turns the screws on private landlords councils are desperately trying to think of ways to persuade those same landlords to house the homeless. Do the respective governments in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast need any more evidence that rather than slam landlords with higher taxes and tie them up with red tape the real battle here is to house the homeless and landlords could be a vital part of that, instead of being the whipping boys the governments seem to think they are.
As the housing crisis continues to deepen, Milton Keynes Council has announced new measures aimed at making it easier for families in temporary accommodation to move into private rented housing. With demand for council homes vastly outstripping supply, the council is currently providing interim housing for over 1,000 households eligible for its support.
Many of these families have struggled to find affordable private rentals, leading the council to introduce a new initiative aimed at bridging the gap. Under the scheme, the council is offering to pay the difference between what a landlord expects in rent and what prospective tenants can afford.
The council believes this approach will help more families secure stable housing and could ultimately prove more cost-effective than continuing to rely on temporary accommodation. By topping up rents, the council anticipates long-term savings as the financial burden of short-term housing is reduced.
In addition to the rent top-up offer, Milton Keynes Council is continuing its existing programme, which provides landlords with cash incentives of up to £6,680 for entering into long-term rental agreements. The council also guarantees rent payments for the entire duration of the tenancy, offering further security to landlords.
Landlords should contact their local council for details on what incentives are on offer.