Landlord FAQs

We need family homes across London. We are particularly looking for 2-3 bedrooms but also take 1, 4 and occasionally 5-bedroom properties. We do not take studios or HMOs

Yes. We always confirm the property meets our quality and safety standards..

The council where the property is located has first refusal for two working days, and then the property is offered to neighbouring boroughs.

Yes, offer a non-returnable incentive payment once the property is let, with speedy  payment.

Once the property is accepted, the council has five working days to find a tenant. After that, the council pays the rent until the tenancy agreement is signed

Most landlord agree a two-year tenancy agreement.

Tenants are either in temporary accommodation and want to move into a settled home, or about to be made homeless – for instance, if their current landlord is selling the property.

The council checks the families can afford the rent and there are no issues that could cause problems during the tenancy. You can meet the tenants before agreeing the let.

Apart from wear and tear, this rarely happens. The tenant is responsible for damages as part of the standard tenancy agreement.

Many landlords save some of the incentive payment in case of damage at the end of the tenancy.

We deal directly with the council and set up everything for you. You just need to arrange to show the property to your tenants.

Part of our service is dealing with the council so you don’t have to. By working with 21 councils in London we can find tenants across the city and offer you more opportunities to let your property through one straightforward relationship with us.

There is a normal assured shorthold tenancy agreement (AST) between you and the tenant. We can provide a standard AST document for you to use.

We have a tenancy sustainment team to help families sort out benefit claims or other issues that might impact on the tenancy. They have a strong track record of help families claim benefits to clear arrears.

We cannot offer rent guarantees. We recommend landlords save some of their incentive payment and we will work hard to make sure the family claims all the benefits they are owed.

Both landlords and tenants can apply for direct payments or an alternative payment arrangement (APA), but Universal Credit makes the decision. We can help families apply if they are eligible.

Incentive payments are part of a negotiated package including rent, suitability and demand for the property and the length of the tenancy agreement. 

As soon as the paperwork is complete, we aim to pay the incentive within seven to ten working days.

The local housing allowance (LHA) is the maximum rent the benefits system will pay for a property in a certain area of London. There are 14 LHA areas in London so the rate varies from place to place.

No. As these tenants come from the council, deposits are not paid. However, the upfront incentive can be used as a deposit.

No, we are not able to go above LHA rates.

Affordability is based on the basis on LHA rates to reduce the chances of arrears.

By accepting a slightly lower rent, you are likely to have a better experience with your tenants who will be placed under less financial stress.

There is lots of demand for properties for families on benefits so finding tenants should not be a problem. In some areas, market rents are dropping below the LHA rate.

Unlike an agency, there is no charge to the landlord for finding tenants and we pay you upfront incentives.

We were set up by councils in London with a grant from the government to help solve the homelessness crisis in London. We are a non-profit company.