Let with Hertsmere currently offers two incentive schemes for landlords, the cash incentive scheme and the Rent Deposit Scheme.
Cash incentive scheme
Under this scheme, we will provide a one off cash payment to landlords and letting agents who let a property through Let with Hertsmere.
The cash incentive will be determined by the size of the property and the length of tenancy provided to the tenant.
This is instead of a deposit so there is no legal requirement for it to be placed into a tenancy protection.
Services covered under the incentive scheme:
- Cash incentive payment
- Video check-in inventory
- Private Sector Liaison Officer
- Mandatory online pre-tenancy training for tenants
Rent deposit scheme
Under this scheme we will provide two months' deposit (in the form of a bond certificate) against damage to the property along with the first month's rent in advance (bacs payment).
Additionally for those providing the tenant with a two year tenancy through this scheme, we will pay the landlords insurance up to a maximum of £500 per year.
You will also have access to all the other services provided under the incentive scheme (minus the cash payment).
Services covered include:
- Two months' bond deposit
- First month's rent in advance
- Landlord insurance (for any property offered to us on a two year tenancy)
- Private Sector Liaison Officer
- Quarterly property inspections
- Mandatory online pre-tenancy training for tenants
- Video check-in and check-out inventory
- Support pack
What we offer
Tenant checks
Many people looking for private rented accommodation approach Let with Hertsmere. This means that we can operate a fast tenant referral system and find you a suitable tenant within a matter of days.
The speed in which we can provide you a potential tenant does not compromise our careful approach on tenant selection. Our team will undertake an interview with all prospective tenants and check their suitability for your property. We check any previous known tenancy records to ensure there is no history of rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or previous malicious damage to a property.
Along with the above checks, we also carry out affordability assessments using details of the applicants income and expenditure and their current credit records.
Housing benefit
Many people in Hertsmere are either on minimum wage or part time contracts. This means that some of our prospective tenants will be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal credit for all or part of the rent. We can offer clear advice about the benefit process and payments along with fast tracking any new claims and amendments
Our Private Sector Liaison Officer will be able to assist with any housing benefit or Universal Credit related issues during the length of any tenancy.
** Only properties which fall within the borough of Hertsmere will be eligible for our fast track service.
Property compliance
Whilst working with Let with Hertsmere, we will offer you free advice about what you need to do to make sure that your property is safe and legal to occupy. This includes Gas Safety, Energy Performance, Electrical Safety Certification, any lender permissions and any insurance you may need.
Our team will keep you up to date with all legislation and national and local policy recommendations and advise you of improvements/amendments needed for your property.
Tenancy agreement
Assured Shorthold Tenancies are legal documents that are complex. We make life simple by providing you with a standard document, regularly checked and updated by our in house legal team, so that you know you have a correct legal document to safeguard both you and the tenant.
One or all
It does not matter if you are an established landlord or if you are new to the business. Whether you have one property or a portfolio of properties to rent. We have tried to tailor our schemes to meet the requirements of your individual needs, and how involved you want to be.
Safeguards
Our staff are legally compliant with all health and safety legislation and we will never take short cuts that could risk your, or our, safety.
Landlord insurance
Let with Hertsmere will pay the landlords insurance for any property offered to us on a two year tenancy. The insurance must include provision for guarantee of rent and will ensure it is suitable for those tenants in receipt of housing benefits/Universal Credit.
Ombudsman
Let with Hertsmere is a part of Hertsmere Borough Council's Housing team which is a member of The Housing Ombudsman. The Housing Ombudsman provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between Let with Hertsmere, landlords/agencies or tenants in the UK.
The Housing Ombudsman is a totally independent organisation of agents.
The primary objectives of the three schemes is to help those in housing need in the borough and it is offered to all private landlords and potential tenants who have been assessed under the Housing Act 1996 and who are eligible under these rules.
Further information
If you would like more information on the scheme, or would like to offer your rental property to the scheme, please contact Let with Hertsmere by: