Improved and Enhanced Rent Express Scheme

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has improved its method of helping local people on benefits with the enhanced 'rent in advance and deposit scheme', called The Rent Express Scheme.  

This scheme has helped over 50 householders solve housing difficulties.  

The improved and enhanced Rent Express Scheme Package includes a combination of the following;  
A money deposit,
Money rent in advance,
1 month rent guarantee and;
A central officer who can help to deal with any problems  
The central officer can liaise between landlords, tenants and Housing Benefits on queries about the tenancy or payments.

The Housing Advice Team also works to sustain the tenancies to continue past the initial term.  The success of this has meant that the initial tenancies are continuing to benefit both landlords and tenants.  

"I am very pleased that the enhanced Rent Express Scheme has made a successful start." says Councillor Gillian Roache, Revenues and Housing Portfolio Holder.  

"With the high cost of housing in the District, the Rent Express Scheme is one way that people can begin to solve their housing problems with support from the Council."  

This work contributed to the performance of the District Council's Housing Team which was recognised as providing a 'good' Council service with 'promising prospects' of improvement in a recent Audit Commission Report. The service is also recognised as being in the top 25% of local authorities for its work in homelessness prevention.   

The success of the new Rent Express Scheme tenancies and the sustaining of these tenancies supports the three aims of the Council's Corporate Strategy; the development of safer and healthier communities, the development of sustainable communities, and the creation of inclusive communities.