Smartmove Rent Deposite Guarantee Scheme

Funded by Crisis, the Smartmove Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme provides housing advice and accomodation in the private rented sector for ex-offenders and client with low to medium support needs. The scheme operates in Wandsworth and Westminster.

Wandsworth Smartmove Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme

This service aims to help secure privately rented accommodation for 38 clients who are ex-offenders, and borderline priority need cases. Referrals to the service are from the three Probation Offices in Wandsworth, and from the Threshold Legal Advice Team.

The service provides needs assessment, pre-tenancy training, assisted property search, budgeting and dealing with utilities, tenant matching for shared tenancies, negotiation with landlords, help with claiming housing benefit, tenancy sustainment support after moving in.

Landlord services include Rent Deposit Guarantee, property inspection, advice on repairs and standards, tenancy health checks and support with problems that arise.

For further information please contact Lorraine Thompson on lorraine.thompson@broadwaylondon.org or 020 8333 6947.

Westminster Smartmove Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme

This service provides housing advice and accommodation in the private rented sector for people being referred from hostels and agencies the majority of which have low to medium support needs with the majority of clients being young people aged 18-25.

We have a strong relationship with many of the referral agencies in the borough which has enabled us to assess clients quickly and move them into suitable accommodation at the earliest opportunity. The Westminster SmartMove Scheme provides support for prospective tenants through pre-tenancy training, advice, support and the provision of a rent deposit guarantee scheme. Each client needs are assessed and they are assisted to find suitable properties. The majority of properties are in shared accommodation and referrals come from agencies in Westminster, our Outreach Worker and self referrals.

Our scheme enables those clients with little or no savings to be able to overcome the financial and other barriers to be able to rent from the private sector. Our evaluation shows that since the scheme was started in 2008 we advised 279 people and housed 122.

For further information please contact Morris Scarlet on morris.scarlett@broadwaylondon.org or 020 8333 6947