Private Sector Leasing scheme

Why does the Council need properties?

The Council needs a range of properties to house people who are waiting for a permanent Council home. The Council will use your property to house people who are or will become homeless.

People are often homeless because their private rental agreement has come to an end or they have had difficulties meeting mortgage or rent payments.

Difficulties in meeting rent or mortgage payment can be due to:

  • the loss of a job
  • business failure
  • sickness
  • a new baby
  • relationship breakdown
  • parents unwilling to assist sons and daughters with young family at home.

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What type of property do I need to have?

The Council is interested in hearing from landlords with any size property from a one-bedroom flat (we cannot accept studio flats) to a large family house. The greatest need is for two and three-bedroom houses. The property must:

  •  be in a good condition
  • be unfurnished (fitted appliances are considered)
  • have gas central heating and a relatively new boiler
  • have double glazing
  • have hard wired smoke detectors on each floor and a half hour fire door to the kitchen
  • have a relatively new bathroom and kitchen.

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What are the benefits to me?

If you lease your property to the Council, you will be provided with:

  • a fixed term lease of between two and 25 years
  • guaranteed rental income for the lease period - even if the property is empty
  • rent paid yearly in advance
  • no introductory fee for renting your property
  • professional property management by Woking Borough Council
  • a sole point of contact with the Council
  • guaranteed vacant possession of the property and in good state of repair and decoration - excluding fair wear and tear.

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Do I have to pay any fees?

A management fee of 20% will deducted from the yearly rental income.

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What are my responsibilities?

A full list of responsibilities is set out in an example lease. You may wish to show the lease to your mortgage lender as we will need to have written confirmation that your mortgage lender is happy for you to lease your property to the Council.

As a basic guide, you will be responsible for the structure and exterior of the property, including:

  • foundations
  • drains, gutters and external pipes
  • roof
  • double glazing
  • outside walls & doors and windows
  • internal walls, floors, ceilings and doors
  • chimneys, chimney stacks and flues
  • pathways, steps and other means of access
  • plasterwork
  • roof ceiling joists
  • built in appliances
  • fencing
  • heating systems
  • sources of water, electricity, gas and sanitation.

You will also be asked to provide a Corgi Gas Safety Certificate and ECA or NICIEC Electricity Safety Certificate. The Council will carry out initial safety checks for a one-off cost to the landlord. The Council will carry out further annual services and safety checks.

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What are the Council's responsibilities?

The Council is responsible for minor day to day repairs and maintenance, including:

  • keeping drains clear
  • providing or replacing fuses
  • providing or replacing tap washers or bath plugs
  • providing or replacing glass
  • providing or replacing door furniture.

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When will I be paid the rent?

Rent will be paid yearly in advance from 1 April each year (or part year, if the agreement started after 1 April).

Rent will be reviewed annually. The current private sector leasing levels are:

  • 2 bed property - £610 per calendar month
  • 3 bed property - £700 per calendar month.

These figures have already had management and maintenance costs deducted. 

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What happens if the tenant is a nuisance to their neighbour(s)?

All tenants are required to sign a tenancy agreement which includes clauses about noise and nuisance. More information can be found in our anti-social behaviour pages.

Should a tenant break their tenancy agreement the Council will try to resolve the situation. If the tenant continues to cause a nuisance then the Council will take legal action against them to secure a conviction.

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What happens when a tenancy comes to the end of the agreement?

It is the Council's responsibility to provide you with vacant possession of your property at the end of the agreement. Should tenants refuse to the leave, the Council will take legal action against them and bear the costs.

The Council will continue to pay your agreed rental payments until the property can be handed back with vacant possession. The property will be in a good state of repair and decoration, excluding fair wear and tear.

The Council does not guarantee to renew or replace any of the following items, at any time during the term of the lease or at the end:

  • built-in appliances
  • flooring (including carpets and wooden or laminate flooring)
  • curtains and other window dressings
  • lamp shades and specialist light fittings
  • fencing and other garden items.

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What other schemes are available?

The following schemes are also available:

  • Voluntary and church groups provide a deposit and support single people in rented bedsits and in shared houses.
  • Private Rented Scheme: under this scheme landlords who provide accommodation for people on the Council's Housing Register, for at least two years, are provided with a bond against damage or theft.

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Contact us

If you would like more information about this scheme, or would like an Officer from Housing Services to view your property and assess its suitability, please contact the Housing Enabling team on 01483 743836 or email housingenabling@woking.gov.uk

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