Deposit Guarantee Scheme

• Homelessness & advice
• Deposit Guarantee Scheme

• Home
•  ⁄  Housing 
•  ⁄  Homelessness & advice 
•  ⁄  Deposit Guarantee Scheme

Who can apply to the scheme?

To use the scheme, you must:

1. have a local connection to South Derbyshire
2. be single and aged over 25 (under 25s should see our Home Matching Service) or be in a childless couple, or a family who have been or would be found to be intentionally homeless from their last settled accommodation
3. be homeless or threatened with homelessness that cannot be prevented 
4. be capable of independent living
5. be unable to afford a deposit

How much deposit will the Council guarantee?

If accepted on to the scheme, Housing Services can guarantee a deposit up to £500.

No money is paid to the landlord at the beginning of the tenancy. Instead, the landlord and tenant enter into a legal agreement with the Council.

You then pay an agreed or monthly amount to the Council over the course of the tenancy to cover the value of the deposit.

If, at the end of the tenancy, the landlord has suffered a loss, they can submit a claim to the Council for compensation up to the value of the deposit.

If we agree with the claim, we pay the landlord from the money you have paid to us.

Any money that is left over will be returned to you, just like having a savings account!

How do I apply?

You must complete a 'Deposit Guarantee Scheme' application form. Our Housing Options Advisor can help you to do this.

Housing Services will carry out checks and if accepted, you will receive a certificate of acceptance for you to present to a future landlord. Then you can start looking for a property. You may find our leaflet 'A Guide to Renting in the Private Sector' useful.

When you find a suitable property you should ring our Housing Options Advisor, or your Homelessness Officer if you have one, to make an appointment to come into the offices and arrange further assessments.

You must not sign a tenancy agreement until this process is complete.

We will then:

• Talk to the landlord to confirm monthly rent, deposit amount, terms and conditions of the tenancy and the size of the property.
• Arrange for a health and safety assessment of the property.
• Assist you with Housing Benefit enquiries.

When we are satisfied with all of this (usually 10 days later) we will arrange for you and the landlord to sign the Tenancy Deposit Guarantee Agreement.

If you wish to discuss this further or need any assistance, please contact us using the details below.

Contact details

Housing Services
South Derbyshire District Council
Housing Section
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 595778
Fax: 01283 595852
email: housing@south-derbys.gov.uk

page ref: SDDC 379