We can offer help with:
- rents in advance - maximum one month's rent
- cash deposits - maximum five weeks' rent
- holding fees - maximum one week's rent
All payments are made as loans which must be repaid to us. We will advise you of repayment options at interview based on a financial assessment.
Qualification criteria
To qualify for this support, you must:
- be eligible - this means you are entitled to public help with housing and have the right to rent
- be accepted by us as homeless, or threatened with homelessness or living in unsuitable housing
- live in North Yorkshire and have a local connection (exceptions may apply to victims of domestic abuse or those leaving the armed forces)
- be on a low income and not able to raise your own bond or rent in advance, for example, through savings, a personal credit union loan or discretionary housing payment
- be capable of independent living, managing your finances and sustaining a tenancy
How to apply
There will be an interview where we will look at your circumstances, all your housing options and whether we can help you stay in your current property. If we agree a move is the best solution, you need to make a formal application when you have found a property.
Do not commit to renting a property or move in before your application is approved.
If you have rent arrears or a history of causing damage or anti-social behaviour you may not qualify for a bond. We also need to be sure that you can manage a tenancy with or without support and we may contact your current or previous landlord and other agencies that may be supporting you.
If you do not qualify for financial help through the bond scheme, we will advise you on other options available.
Finding a suitable property
The property must:
- be affordable - if the rent is higher than local housing allowance then we will carry out a financial assessment to see if you can afford to pay the top-up
- be the right size for your household
- meet minimum fitness standards
- be available for at least six months
You can find out more by reading these guides on the Government website:
You can also contact us for more information.