LET YOUR PROPERTY
Image Shutterstock / Jazzmany
Finding suitable properties in Elmbridge, is our greatest challenge. The property market is tough – rents are expensive and landlords are often reluctant to let to families receiving housing benefit. Yet it's the generosity of those who are are prepared to forego the maximum possible rental profit, in favour of agreeing to slightly lower council rates, that provides a lifeline to people during some of the most desperate times of their lives.
Elmbridge Borough council has committed to taking a small number of families under the Afghan Locally Employed Staff (ALES) Relocation Scheme, to address the urgent need to provide safety for interpreters and other locally employed staff that are fleeing for their lives.
UPDATE Oct 22- Urgent property needs
Self contained accommodation for families is urgently needed for Ukraine refugees and more for the ALES scheme above. If you are a landlord please email us on [email protected]. as soon as possible so we can support families. If you would like to host, in your home, a Ukrainian or any nationality refugee/asylum seeker, there are some useful links in our appeal letter as well as other ways you can help
Elmbridge Borough council has committed to taking a small number of families under the Afghan Locally Employed Staff (ALES) Relocation Scheme, to address the urgent need to provide safety for interpreters and other locally employed staff that are fleeing for their lives.
UPDATE Oct 22- Urgent property needs
Self contained accommodation for families is urgently needed for Ukraine refugees and more for the ALES scheme above. If you are a landlord please email us on [email protected]. as soon as possible so we can support families. If you would like to host, in your home, a Ukrainian or any nationality refugee/asylum seeker, there are some useful links in our appeal letter as well as other ways you can help
Image © Jazzmany / Shutterstock.com
Could you let a home to a refugee family?
What kind of properties are we looking for?
- a self-contained dwelling with 1 bedroom or more.
- in a reasonable condition
- available for at least 12 months, preferably longer
- Location - In Elmbridge. Experience indicates that location in more built-up areas, with better public transport routes and proximity to amenities, state schools and town centre locations is preferable. A number of the resettled families have settled in Molesey, Walton and Weybridge and these offer public transport to mosques in neighbouring areas like Kingston and Woking. More remote areas, like Oxshott and Stoke D’Abernon are probably less suitable. .
· would not otherwise have been let to a family in need in Elmbridge
· are affordable and sustainable (e.g. with monthly rents that can be no more than the relevant Local Housing Allowance rates )
· as with any other letting, the landlord will need to have all relevant certification & installations in place – gas safety, electrical safety, EPCs, smoke alarms etc
Elmbridge Borough Council can offer help with:
More info on the Afghan ALES Relocation Scheme - council's call for private landlords.
If you have a home to let, please email [email protected] or telephone 01372 474631.
SPREAD THE WORD
Transforming the lives of refugees requires a team effort. If you don't have a home to let you can still help by asking friends or your local community, and sharing on social media some of our facebook appeals.
- a self-contained dwelling with 1 bedroom or more.
- in a reasonable condition
- available for at least 12 months, preferably longer
- Location - In Elmbridge. Experience indicates that location in more built-up areas, with better public transport routes and proximity to amenities, state schools and town centre locations is preferable. A number of the resettled families have settled in Molesey, Walton and Weybridge and these offer public transport to mosques in neighbouring areas like Kingston and Woking. More remote areas, like Oxshott and Stoke D’Abernon are probably less suitable. .
· would not otherwise have been let to a family in need in Elmbridge
· are affordable and sustainable (e.g. with monthly rents that can be no more than the relevant Local Housing Allowance rates )
· as with any other letting, the landlord will need to have all relevant certification & installations in place – gas safety, electrical safety, EPCs, smoke alarms etc
Elmbridge Borough Council can offer help with:
- Rent guarantee (up to a maximum of two years, for Afghan LES scheme currently it's 1 year)
- Advice on what works need to be carried out before the council considers it is ready for letting
- Covering void property costs (rent only – for a maximum of 56 days pending the arrival of the family)
- Deposit bond (up to a month)
- The council would draw up a tenancy agreement, including any rent guarantee provisions and we will carry out inventories
More info on the Afghan ALES Relocation Scheme - council's call for private landlords.
If you have a home to let, please email [email protected] or telephone 01372 474631.
SPREAD THE WORD
Transforming the lives of refugees requires a team effort. If you don't have a home to let you can still help by asking friends or your local community, and sharing on social media some of our facebook appeals.