Response 3535488

Response to request for information

Reference

3535488

Response date

25 July 2024

Request

Could we please ask you to send us the following information in relation to Rushcliffe Borough council? I note from your website that you have a Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

1. What is provided under the scheme?
1. What are the details of the guarantee;
2. How much is the maximum amount provided under the scheme;
2. Who can access it?
1. What are the eligibility criteria?
2. Is there a limit to how many people can access it?
3. When was the scheme introduced?
4. How many guarantees has Rushcliffe Borough council provided since the scheme was introduced?
5. How many guarantees does Rushcliffe Borough council typically provide in a year?
6. Does Rushcliffe Borough council offer any similar schemes?

Response

1. What is provided under the scheme?
   1. What are the details of the guarantee;
   2. How much is the maximum amount provided under the scheme;

      The Rushcliffe Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) is a deposit certificate up to the amount of £500 (or 1 months rent, whichever is the smaller) which the landlord can claim against at the end of the first 6 months of the tenancy should there be any rent arrears or damage over and above reasonable wear and tear.

2. Who can access it?
   1. What are the eligibility criteria?
      • Recourse to public funds
      • Over 18
      • Homeless or threatened with homelessness
      • Family not in work/working but eligible for HB/on a low income
      • Single/couple not in work/working but eligible for HB/low income
      • No previous arrears/possession procedures (unless legitimate reason for arrears or more than 2 years ago)
      • No savings or inadequate income to provide rent in advance or deposit
      • No previous eviction for ASB
      • Where provision of a deposit guarantee would prevent placement in B+B or presents a cost-effective method of homelessness prevention
      • A strong local connection to Rushcliffe
      • Shared accommodation is not eligible

        The following criteria will allow selection for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme:

   2. Is there a limit to how many people can access it? No
3. When was the scheme introduced? 2012
4. How many guarantees has Rushcliffe Borough council provided since the scheme was introduced?

   This information is not recorded so unable to provide the figures.

5. How many guarantees does Rushcliffe Borough council typically provide in a year?

   Zero as we now operate a spend to save fund. See below

6. Does Rushcliffe Borough council offer any similar schemes?

   Yes. Spend to Save fund where homelessness applicants can access a grant towards a deposit or first months rent. This does not need to be repaid.