Let's Rent Coventry - Print version

What is Let's Rent+ ?

Let’s Rent+ is Coventry City Council's rent guarantee scheme, launched on 18 May 2020, in collaboration with private landlords across the city. It matches people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, with landlords who have properties to let.

We offer guaranteed rent and other benefits to private sector landlords who want to work with the Council by providing tenancies in order to alleviate homelessness in the city. This includes a payment of up to 5 weeks' rent (LHA) as a deposit.

• Let’s rent is a completely free service
• We will guarantee rent payments up to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for the period of the tenancy (up to 2 years)
• We will make a bonus one-off payment of an additional months rent (LHA) when a landlord joins the scheme on the success of the tenancy sign up
• The property can be either furnished or unfurnished, but it must have up to date safety features and certificates
• The Council will vet tenants to ensure they are suitable (including immigration status, housing history and benefit status), and arrange viewings of the property
• Following the viewings, the landlord has the option to choose their preferred tenant
• You can use a lettings agency to manage your property – however, you must make this clear to prospective tenants as they may incur additional charges as a result
• The rent will be topped up to the average market rate (TBA)

About Let's Rent+

Let’s Rent+ is a scheme launched by Coventry City Council to alleviate homelessness in the city. We work with private landlords with available properties to be rented to people at risk of homelessness.
The scheme is searching for private landlords that are interested in providing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) to such individuals, by renting their property at the Local Housing Allowance rate (LHA) [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/benefits-1/local-housing-allowance]. In return, Coventry City Council can guarantee the rent to the landlord for the duration of the tenancy.

The Let’s Rent Scheme offers either a 1 or 2-year contract, depending on the preference of the landlord. The rent can be guaranteed for this tenancy period at the LHA rate. After this period, the council no longer guarantees the rent.

The scheme also rewards landlords with a one-off joining bonus worth one month's rent (LHA) upon the signing of a 12-month tenancy. 

Advantages for landlords

• Helping those in need of stable housing
• Guaranteed rent for the duration of the tenancy (up to 2 years)
• A month (LHA) one-off joining bonus upon the signing of an assured shorthold tenancy
• The scheme is free to landlords
• Free initial property inspection
• Tenant matching and vetting provided by the Council
• Viewings arranged by the Council
• Ongoing support for landlords during the tenancy
• Council can work with your letting agent if you have one already

Properties eligible for the scheme

We are searching for 1-4 bedroom properties in any area of Coventry. Properties can be furnished or unfurnished (the rent is the same for both). All properties must have valid safety certificates in place and will be inspected by our Enforcement team prior to letting. The property also needs to be in a good standard that is habitable, safe, clean and move-in ready.

Rent and the Local Housing Allowance rates

We guarantee the rent at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/54/benefits/157/local_housing_allowance] rate to landlords on the scheme. The purpose of this is to ensure we provide affordable housing to customers we are trying to help. 

The rent can be topped up by the tenant or council

*Note that the  LHA rate is capped at the 4-bed rate, so any property larger than this will only receive this amount.

1-month rent bonus (LHA)

The scheme also rewards landlords with a one-off joining bonus worth 1 month's rent (LHA) upon the signing of an assured shorthold tenancy. 

How rent is paid

The rent is paid by the tenant via Universal Credit [https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit] or Housing Benefit [https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit]. The tenant can arrange for the rent to go directly from Universal Credit/Housing Benefit to the landlord each month. 

The rent is paid in arrears, meaning a landlord will receive the rent the month after a tenant signs the AST. For example, if a tenant moved in on 12 August 2021, the first rent payment would be paid on 12 September 2021. If the tenant is employed, or does not receive full benefits, they pay the remainder of rent to the landlord each month via bank transfer.

Unpaid rent

If the tenant fails to pay their rent or accrues arrears, the council helps the tenant to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment [/dhp] (DHP) to help make the payment. If approved, the DHP is paid directly to the landlord to clear any rent arrears.

If further rent arrears occur after a DHP has been awarded or if the DHP is unsuccessful, the council guarantees the rent to the landlord. This is paid via bank transfer.

Rent guarantee for the length of the scheme

The scheme runs for 12-24 months per property, which means the rent guarantee is in place for this length of time. At the end of the contract with the council, we would hope that the landlord and tenant have built a good relationship so the tenancy continues on. However this is a decision that is made with the landlord and tenant. A landlord cannot replace the tenant with the aim of securing another 12-24 months of guaranteed rent. After this period, the council no longer guarantees the rent.

Responsibilities of the landlord

Vetting tenants for your property

Coventry Council finds suitable tenants for available properties. We perform checks on housing history, immigration status, rent arrears and affordability before matching a tenant to a property.

The tenants that we match are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. Most customers are in receipt of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, which pay their rent either in full, or partly. Some tenants are employed or in education, so may not receive full benefits. These customers will pay the remaining amount of rent to the landlord directly each month. All bills and Council tax are the responsibility of the tenant.

Support for landlords

If any issues arise after a tenant has moved in, the council provides advice and assistance for landlords. Any rent or tenant queries can be directed to an Accommodation Officer on the Let’s Rent Scheme, who will be happy to help. Any concerns around anti-social behaviour or other criminal issues, must be directed to the police and not the council.

Property viewings

We arrange face-to-face viewings with the landlord and tenant, giving them a chance to meet. If landlords are not local, they can send a representative or employ a letting agency on their behalf. 

Responsibilities of the landlord

Let's Rent+

The management of the property is the sole responsibility of the landlord or their letting agent. This includes any repairs, damages or property maintenance. Wear and tear is not considered to be damage, so would not be covered. 

If any damage is caused by the tenant, we offer a ‘paper deposit’ to landlords worth five weeks’ rent. A paper deposit means the deposit will be paid at the end of the tenancy if damage has been accrued by the tenant. This is subject to evidence.

We offer a free initial inspection, however all subsequent inspections are the responsibility of the landlord. It may be worth considering completing inspections every quarter.

Let's Rent+ Managed

• Inspections - Every new tenant would have a first month settling in visit/inspection followed by subsequent quarterly inspections to include a check out; these would be written into the AST as part of the agreement, dates and times agreed in advance. Building relationships with tenants, meaning less risk for arrears, damage, and less cost to LRC
• Maintenance - Any maintenance issues would be reported to LRC – it would be pre-agreed with the landlord whether they want to use their own contractors or have repairs reported to them directly, LRC would be able to manage occupiers' expectations and log repairs.
• Rent – While we would not be taking on the rent accounts, we would continue to assist tenant and landlords with arrears.
• GSC/EPC/EICR/PAT testing reminders
• Tenancy matters - Manage day to day contact with the tenant and endeavour to resolve all routine matters arising during the tenancy
• Gas/Electric/Water/Council tax - We would manage transference of billing liability between tenant and utility company.
• Tenancy agreements - The managed scheme can offer an assured shorthold tenancy blank template; this would need to be signed by the landlord
• Inventory - We would arrange an inventory and schedule of condition of the property to be agreed by the landlord and tenant. Signed at check in and check out.

How the sign-up process works

It can take from 2-4 weeks from when you sign up, to getting a tenant into your property. This is dependent on all documents being provided and when inspections can take place.

How it works

1. Fill in and send completed forms and documents. You can find these on our sign-up page
2. Your application is reviewed
   • The team will review your details and check on background on companies house, land registry and council records
   • You will be notified if you have been approved and an inspection of the property will be arranged
3. A member of the team carries out a property inspection for both health and safety and suitability
   • The suitability inspection is to check that the property is ready for let and includes looking at the standards of the decor
4. Tenants are matched to your property
   • We use our temporary accommodation client database lists to match tenants to your property
   • An income check, housing history, right to rent and rent arrear history is reviewed
   • Based on these checks and the household size, we match tenants best fit for your property
5. A viewing is arranged with the landlord, tenant and the accommodation officer
6. Sign-up date is scheduled and agreements signed
   • Tenancy agreement is signed and keys are handed over
   • The landlord rent agreement is signed which guarantees the rent with the Council
   • An inventory checklist can be provided or the landlord can arrange their own inventory check
   • Payment arrangements are set up by the tenant

Sign-up to the Let's Rent+ scheme

Fill in the declaration and application form and send completed forms, with additional documents, to LetsRentCoventry@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:LetsRentCoventry@coventry.gov.uk]. Once we review your application we will proceed with the next steps. 

Documentation you will need to send: 

• Photo ID (Passport or driving licence)
• Proof of your mortgage
• Gas Safety Certificate
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Portable Appliances Test Certificate (PAT)

You may also want to consider talking to your mortgage provider to check if your property can join the scheme.

Landlord and tenant testimonials

Landlord:

The tenants in my properties are very nice and I want them to stay in the property for the long-term

Tenant:

“The let’s rent scheme has worked so well for me! It’s allowed me to find a lovely new home but one that is actually affordable! As I wasn’t on the top of the priority list due to my income etc, I thought I’d be waiting for a home forever. Being stuck in the band that earns a somewhat liveable wage but not enough to rent a full price property and support my family alone, I thought it would be impossible to find housing. The let’s rent scheme gave me access to an affordable, comfortable and safe home”

Landlord:

“…Since meeting the prospective tenant and subsequently letting my property to him I have had no issues. I received an update from my housing officer a couple of weeks ago and he informed me the tenant is very happy”

Tenant:

“The positive effect the scheme has had on me and my family our astonishing, to finally have stability and the boys having there own room making them feel so safe and settled! I really appreciate all the help from yourselves we finally have a home!”

Landlord:

“The ‘Let's Rent Scheme’ has enabled me to rent out my property after being unable to rent it out to students due to the falling demand.  The Let's Rent Team were helpful in giving me advice in order to get my property to the "Let's Rent" standard and as soon as the property was ready a tenant was found in days. ”

Tenant:

Positive outcome from scheme, pleasant experience, it only took about a week from beginning to end, now happy in her settle home

Meet the team

 Debbie Dalton - Housing and Homelessness Manager, Let's Rent Coventry

 Leo Giusti - Accommodation Officer Let's Rent Coventry

 Adeel Ahmad - Accommodation Officer Let's Rent Coventry

 Connor Roberts - Accommodation Officer Let's Rent Coventry