Private Renting

Tenancies can often be confusing. The housing solutions team can offer support and assistance surrounding many issues including:

• Various notices being served by your landlord
• Rent arrears / affordability
• Landlord/ tenant disputes

Vale Assisted Tenancy Scheme (VATS)

Since the introduction of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, the housing solutions team are now able to discharge their duty to you through a suitable offer of a private rented property.

The Vale Assisted Tenancy Scheme (VATS) can assist clients who are homeless or threatened with homelessness into the private rented sector with the possibility of financial support which may include a bond and/or first month's rent in advance.

Social housing is in huge demand, with approximately 5241 applicants currently registered on the Homes4u choiced based lettings scheme. Private renting has many benefits and offers:

• More choice – a range of accommodation including flats and houses
• Flexibility – you are able to choose the area rather than it is chosen for you
• Speed – Many furnished and un-furnished properties are available to rent immediately

Financial assistance will not be approved unless the property is deemed as affordable by your caseworker.

Rent Smart Wales came into force in November 2015. This legislation introduced the landlord registration process and the requirement for landlords and agents who let and manage properties in Wales to be licensed. Please note properties must be registered with Rent Smart Wales to qualify for financial assistance.

If you require financial assistance from the housing solutions team please call:

• 01446 700111

• Can I afford It?
  If you are on a low income you may qualify for help with your rent, the amount you may get will depend on your age and income. Remember, you will also need to cover the costs of other bills such as council tax, gas, electricity and water etc. A Housing Benefit calculator is available.
• Will Housing Benefit fully cover the rent?
  The maximum amount that can be paid to you depends on the size of the property that your household needs and is set by the Local Housing Allowance rates for the area. The Local Housing Allowance only applies to private rented tenants and not those who are tenants of Housing Associations or Local Authorities. 
• What if I cannot afford to pay a bond?

  If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness and do not have savings or access to monies to pay a bond the Vale of Glamorgan’s housing solutions team may be able to help. They will assess your housing needs and if you meet the criteria for assistance through VATS may be able to offer the Landlord a bond guarantee certificate. If you are in receipt of qualifying benefits there are other organisations or charities that may be able to help. These are:

  - The Tabernacle Church on 02920 702690

  - Your local department of works and pension (job centre)

   

   

  If you have a live Housing Benefit claim you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment for help with a bond and rent in advance.

   

  Remember if you pay your landlord a cash bond they must by law deposit it under one of the Governments authorised tenancy deposit schemes, they must inform you within 30 days which scheme they have deposited it in.

• How long will I be able to stay?
  Tenancies are generally “assured short hold” (AST) for 6 or 12 months. They can usually be extended as long as you have not breached any of the terms of your tenancy agreement. 
• What about furniture?

  There are both furnished and unfurnished properties available on the market to rent. However, if you need help in furnishing a property there are many organisations or charities  that can offer good quality affordable items that will enable you to set up a home, for example;

   

  - Restore

  - NuLife Furniture (Cardiff)

  - Freecycle

  - Facebook Marketplace

  - Boomerang Cardiff

  - Gumtree

   

  Additionally, many of the charity shops such as The British Heart Foundation and the Salvation Army have outlet stores that offer low cost furniture; the locations of these are available on the individual websites.

   

   

• How can I find a property?

   

  You can search for available private rented properties by:

  - Accessing websites such as Zoopla or Rightmove

   

  - Looking in the local papers

  - Adverts in shops

  - Gumtree

  - Local estate agents

   

   

  If you are in accommodation that is owned by a Local Authority or a Housing Association and want to move to another area, wish to increase or downsize due to the bedroom tax then you can register with Homeswapper which is a nationwide mutual exchange service.