Royal Borough encourages landlords to make homes affordable

24 October 2003

With property in the Royal Borough amongst the most expensive in the country, the local housing options for people who do not meet the criteria for rented social housing can be very limited. As part of the new Private Sector Renewal Policy, the Royal Borough is offering discretionary grants to private landlords who agree to let their property at an affordable rent.

The grants, up to £25000 will be available for the renovation of the property on the understanding that the rent will be set at approximately two thirds the market rate for the area. By offering affordable rent, the policy supports people on low incomes and promotes the development of a more balanced community. The grants are also designed to address the estimated £51 million investment needed to remedy disrepair amongst the Borough’s private sector housing stock. 1

Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Timothy Coleridge said: ”This new policy outlines how the Council will use limited resources to raise standards and improve homes in the private sector. We have identified areas in the private sector that need action, and have deliberately targeted those who are least likely to afford to make improvements to their property.”

Other parts of the Renewal policy include:

Disabled Facilities Grant - for the adaptation of homes of people with disabilities.
A Home Improvement Grant - for small scale works of repair, improvements and minor adaptations. Aimed at home owners in receipt of means tested benefits.
Empty Property Grant - to encourage owners of empty property to return them to residential use. Landlords only qualify if they agree to use the property in a Housing Association Leasing Scheme (HALS)
Safe as Houses Grant - small-scale security measures available to home owners over 60 or persons with disabilities or on low incomes or means tested benefit
Keep Warm Grant - small grant to cover the cost of providing a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
Assisted Equity Release Loans - Press Release available on request

Notes for Editors: 1. Private Sector Stock Condition Survey

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