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What is the Newcastle Rent Deposit Scheme?

It is a scheme that helps people on a low income to find and keep accommodation in the private sector. We offer to give landlords a written guarantee instead of a cash deposit, to help people to afford to become tenants. We also offer low level support to tenants to help them to manage their tenancies.

Before we offer the deposit guarantee to our clients we gather information about their circumstances and interview them to assess whether they can manage a tenancy and whether they need any support. Only then will we offer our deposit guarantee and make contact with potential landlords.

Who can apply?

  • Anyone who is aged 16 and over
  • Anyone who has a connection to Newcastle (lives, works or has close family here, or receives support from someone in Newcastle)
  • Anyone who wants to live in private rented accommodation
  • Anyone who is able to manage a tenancy with no support or low level support
  • Anyone who is willing and able to look for a property

The Scheme is not an emergency service. We are not able to re-house people quickly. Applications may take up to 12 weeks to deal with, and we can not guarantee that we will be able to find you a tenancy.

What does it ask you to do?

We ask you to:

  • Find a suitable affordable property in Newcastle
  • Be willing to manage your home on your own
  • Provide us with the information that we need to deal with your application
  • Attend an interview so that we can meet you and discuss your situation
  • Be open and honest about your previous tenancies, your current position, and what help you might need so that we can provide the right advice and support
  • Tell us about any changes in your situation or needs, such as a change of address

If you require support for anything other than managing a tenancy you must be working with specialist support workers who can continue to support you.

How does the Deposit guarantee work?

The Scheme does not pay any cash to you or a landlord. The Scheme provides a written guarantee in place of a cash deposit which lasts for the initial term of the tenancy when it is withdrawn. This means that if there are rent arrears, or any damage to the property, in the first six months or year, we will pay the landlord if a claim is made, up to the limit of the amount guaranteed.

If you stay as a tenant after the first 6 months or year, you may need to pay over a cash sum for the new deposit. We will help you to save up towards this cash deposit. If you are not able to save this amount, we will work with you and the landlord to find a solution so that you can stay on as a tenant.

If you have any further queries please contact Newcastle Rent Deposit Scheme, Newcastle Private Rented Service, 91 Tamworth Road, Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5AS. Phone (0191) 273 6103, email privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk.

Download information leaflets below:

 

Page last updated: 10 October, 2011