Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has launched a new service that offers support for both tenants and landlords to resolve tenancy issues and help prevent homelessness.
The Council has revised its current approach to provide a specialist team of Homelessness Prevention Officers to administer the service, with the aim of sustaining even more tenancies where possible.
Providing assistance on a full spectrum of tenancy issues, the team is committed to preventing homelessness at the earliest opportunity and can put plans in place to prevent an eviction notice being issued or provide assistance if a notice has already been served.
The team can offer a wide range of support, including:
- providing potential solutions for both parties and options on the way forward
- assisting with rent arrears
- performing a financial assessment of a tenant’s income and expenditure
- making referrals and signposting to specialist services to ensure long-term support
- enabling mediation between landlords and tenants
- offering additional support in conjunction with partnership agencies
- finding tenants suitable alternative accommodation if necessary
Jane Grant, Assistant Director for Strategic Housing, said:
“Tenancy issues can have a huge impact on tenants and can be very stressful for all parties involved.
“We urge anyone who is struggling with a tenancy issue, be that a tenant struggling to pay rent or a landlord looking to issue an eviction notice, to please get in touch and let us help.
“Our specialist team is committed to help find a solution that is suitable for all involved.”
A service user said:
“I just wanted to say how helpful the project has been.
“I was told what steps will be taken, what they are going to talk about with the landlord, how to find a private rented property, and that they could look at helping me with the bond and deposit.
“I’ve felt much more relaxed with the project helping me.
“They’ve not found anything too much trouble and have helped in every way they could.
“So, I wanted to say a big thank you.”
To contact the service, email prevention@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk or call 024 7637 6406.