Milton Keynes City Council has come up with an innovative scheme to top up rents for those moving from temporary accommodation into the PRS.

Local need for council housing is far outstripping availability, and the authority currently pays for interim accommodation for more than eligible 1,000 households, many of whom have tried to secure private rented homes but found it unaffordable.

It has now launched a new scheme where it will consider paying the difference between the rent a landlord is reasonably expecting and what a prospective tenant can afford. As well as securing more families settled accommodation, the council reckons that topping up rents will be cheaper than arranging short term accommodation, which means the scheme will ultimately save money.

Cash incentives

The council already offers landlords cash incentives of up to £6,680 for offering long term rental agreements and guarantees rent for the term of a tenancy. As a result, it reports that in the last year the council has managed to prevent a number of families becoming homeless.

Cabinet member for housing, councillor Ed Hume, says: “Everyone has the right to a decent, safe and secure home. We know that private rents are unaffordable for many people and this new initiative aims to bridge that gap.

"Landlords who want the assurance that a market rent will be guaranteed for the life of a tenancy should get in touch with us if they are able to help.”

Landlords who want to learn more can visit the city council’s website.