New Private Landlord Properties
St. Leger Homes Private Landlord Services has been set up to manage rented homes on behalf of private landlords to increase the number and choice of properties on offer to people on the housing register. As the scheme grows we will be advertising more available properties, with our first advertised Thursday 16 June 2011 to Monday 20 June 2011.
These properties will be let on fixed term assured shorthold tenancies. This is a new incentive which aims to give more choice and different re-housing options to people currently waiting to be re-housed.
The properties that we advertise and manage will be in a good condition and to an agreed standard. Any property that we manage would have to be free of hazards as prescribed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System as well as being safe, secure and clean - with all facilities and components in good working order.
How much is the rent and is there a bond?
Rents will be set within the Local Housing Allowance and a Bond will be required which will be clearly displayed on the property information. You can use the information in the linked pages to find out more about the Local Housing Allowance Rates and Local Housing Allowance frequently asked questions.
The level of Housing Benefit you will qualify for is based on the number of bedrooms you actually need. You can use the Local Housing Allowance calculator to find out how much Housing Benefit you are entitled to for Private Rented properties.
You can find out more about private rented tenancies here.
Landlord and tenant responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions for a tenant renting from a private landlord.
How can I be considered for one of the private landlord properties?
You will be able to apply for properties through Doncaster HomeChoice if you have registered on the housing register and have an active housing application.
The same rules apply as when you bid on Council or Housing Association homes, so if you can't bid, you may not be eligible for that type of property.
I am not registered, how do I apply?
Where will the private landlord properties be advertised?
The private landlord properties will be advertised on the Doncaster HomeChoice website, in the Doncaster Freepress and St Leger Homes reception areas. The bidding cycle is Thursday 00.01 – Monday 23.59.
Log in to your account page and you will be able to click on show eligible properties to see what properties you are able to bid on each week. This will include all St. Leger Homes, Housing Association and Private Landlord properties and this will be clearly labelled on each advert.
Included in the advert will be full property details, rent, tenancy type, length of tenancy, date available to let, cycle end date, priority to band and any bond that will be required.
How do I bid on private landlord properties?
In the same way you bid on Council and Housing Association homes and by using the Login/My Account page.
You will be able to bid during the usual bidding cycle, Thursday 00.01 – Monday 23.59. You are able to bid via the Doncaster HomeChoice website, free automated phone line 0800 027 6235, by text on 07781 484771, in St Leger Homes reception areas and by contacting the Doncaster HomeChoice team on 01302 862628.
How will I know if have been successful?
We will contact you.
After the cycle has closed we will carry out any outstanding eligibility checks, such as rent, household circumstance and reference checks.
If you finish first on the shortlist then you will be contacted following any relevant verification checks to be offered the property. If we are unable to offer the property to you and you finish at the top of the list we will advise you of the reasons why and will move to the next applicant.
If you decide to refuse the property it will be offered to the next person on the short list subject to verification checks. If you refuse properties and are in a priority band, you may be moved to a lower band.
If you are offered a property you will not be considered for other properties until you have decided to either accept or refuse the offer you have been made.
If you accept the property you will be contacted to arrange an accompanied viewing of the property. Once you have viewed the property you can make your final decision if you would like to take the tenancy. If you accept you will be able to make an appointment to come into one of our area offices to sign the tenancy agreement and collect the keys.
As with Council and Housing Association homes if you accept the offer of a private rented property your housing application will be closed as housed. You can re apply to the housing register from your new address and will be given a new housing register reference and registration date.
Feedback on advertised properties
Feedback of the successful applicant will be published once the tenancy has started on the Recent lets page
The information provided in the feedback can be used to help you decide which properties to bid for, by giving you a better idea how popular a particular property or area is and how long may have to wait. You can then decide whether to look for other types of property or areas where you may not have to wait as long.