1. Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme
NPRAS
Nottingham Private Rented Assistance Scheme

2. Why is the Privately Rented Sector Important?
The privately rented sector is the most rapidly expanding tenure in the Nottingham and the UK
We are now able to discharge our homelessness duties to citizens in the private sector more easily following new legislation
Families who may be vulnerable or on low incomes are increasingly being housed in the private sector
Social Housing and Owner- Occupation in the City are decreasing

4. A Brief overview –
Focus in the new act is very much on prevention of homelessness
There are 2 stages –
Prevention and relief.
Offers of accommodation can be made at any stage of the process.
If a household has accommodation available to them for 6 months, the homelessness duty is ended
Looking for privately rented accommodation is likely to be part of the Personal Housing Plan.
If citizens don’t engage with the agreed actions on their plan, duties can be ended

5. Access to the scheme Personal Housing Plan (PHP).
Private renting will be discussed as a part of the initial assessment at Housing Aid
An assessment will be completed and if a citizen is suitable for the scheme, and documents will be requested.

6. Suitability Someone might not be suitable if:
Their needs could be better met in supported accommodation
Have outstanding rent arrears from their current or previous tenancy
Have a history of anti-social behaviour or criminal convictions

7. Documents needed ID for all family members
To help with securing accommodation, we will ask for the following documents:
Proof of income – All benefits
3 Months wage slips
3 months bank statements
Proof of any other income
A full income and expenditure form will be completed
ID for all family members
ID 3 months wage slips and 3 months of any other income
Proof of any other income
A full income and expenditure form will be completed

8. How NPRAS can Help to find Accommodation
Referrals to landlords who work with us
Flexible package of support to offer tenants and landlords
Assistance with our bond or cash deposit if needed
Assistance with Housing Benefit application
Assistance with rent in advance
Negotiations with landlords to secure property
New prevention from eviction protocol

9. How can citizens search for accommodation?
Websites
Word of mouth
Local newspapers and free ads
Local shop noticeboards

10. What can’t we do
We will not refer applicants with a history of anti-social behaviour, violent crime or rent arrears to NPRAS
We don’t have a list of landlords who accept housing benefit
We are not managing agents for landlords
We are unable to assist citizens who are not at risk of homelessness with deposits or rent in advance

11. Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance will be reviewed in The current rates are :
Shared Accommodation - £ per month
1 Bedroom Rate - £ Per Month
2 Bedroom Rate - £ Per Month
3 Bedroom Rate - £ Per Month
4 Bedroom Rate - £ Per Month

12. Citizens who find privately rented accommodation via their Personal Housing Plan (PHP), will be eligible to access the Housing Register in Band 3.
We have a tenancy toolkit available on the NPRAS website to assist with searching for accommodation

13. Prevention from Eviction Protocol
The Aim of the protocol is for landlords and tenants to be able to contact the NPRAS team as early as possible when there is a threat of eviction. Any issue that affects the integrity of a tenancy can be addressed with the protocol including –
Landlord wanting to increase rent
Landlord and tenant dispute
Benefit worries
Disrepair
Landlord wanting to sell
Condition of the property
Rent Arrears
Anti Social behaviour

14. Prevention from Eviction Protocol
Referrals to the protocol can be made by tenants, landlords or our partner agencies.
Where the tenancy is one that has been facilitated by NPRAS, the landlord, tenant or supporting agencies can contact NPRAS directly for assistance.
A dedicated landlord line is in place tel –
For all other tenants, an assessment will be made by the Housing Aid Advisor Team as per the Homelessness Reduction Act, and referrals will be made by the tenants Housing Aid Advisor.

15. SCENARIOs

16. Scenario 1
Family with children subject to the benefit cap
Unwell and unable to work
Fell into arrears, and stopped communicating with the landlord
Landlord served a notice and contacted Housing Aid

17. How did we resolve the problem?

18. Tenant visit
Financial assessment
Payment towards the arrears
Referral to Welfare Rights
Referral to tenancy support service

19. Scenario 2
Households contacted Housing Aid with Section 21 notices from same landlord
Call to landlord reveals that he is concerned about selective licensing/accreditation
Landlord is concerned about the length of time it will take for him to go through the process
Landlord worried about the expense of licencing all his properties

20. HOW DID WE RESOLVE THE PROBLEM?

21. Referred landlord to DASH accreditation service for advice on works required to bring property up to standard
Home Visits with landlord to assess properties
Inventories/Floor Plans completed to

22. Scenario 3
Single pregnant woman, under 35 years of age, living in a one bed flat
Becomes ill as a result of pregnancy and is unable to work. Claims Housing Benefit
Housing benefit is awarded at a lower shared rate because of age
Falls into arrears because housing benefit doesn’t cover the whole of the rent
Approaches Housing Aid as property is now unaffordable

23. HOW DID WE RESOLVE IT?

24. Spoke to landlord about the reason for arrears
Assisted applicant to apply for DHP to make up difference between shared and 1 bed rate
As applicant was then able to stay in tenancy, and make an application for Homelink and gave advice on looking for private rented accommodation.

25. Scenario 4
Couple and 1 child living in private rented property, one of them works part time
Landlord issues S21 notice as he is planning to increase rent, tenant has been notified and has told landlord they will not be able to afford rent increase
There are no rent arrears and no other issues with the tenancy

26. HOW DID WE RESOLVE IT?

27. Phone call to landlord to establish if there are any issues with tenancy
Talk to landlord about cost associated with reletting property – agent fees, advertising, rent loss for void period, paying council tax whilst property is empty – increasing in rent will be balanced out by these costs.
Negotiate one off payment if necessary to cover top up, on condition that S21 is withdrawn and a new tenancy agreement is offered.

28. Scenario 4
Telephone call from NPRAS landlord upset that his tenant has contacted Environmental Services about repairs/damp
Tenant has limited English and is an open case to refugee support service
Tenant never approached landlord regarding these issues
Landlord previously contacted housing aid with concerns about applicant not airing or heating property
Landlord is unhappy about breakdown in communication and wants to serve notice

29. HOW DID WE RESOLVE IT?

30. Joint home visit with landlord and environmental services
Attended multi agency meeting, invited landlord to discuss concerns around maintenance in property
Offered landlord one off payment for part of repairs (blocked drain) resulting from incorrect use by tenant
Provided advice letter and instructions to tenant in own language

31. Sort it Before you serve it
In creating the Prevention from Eviction Protocol, we are encouraging landlords to contact Housing Aid with these aims
Resolve any problems early
Encourage open communication between landlords and tenants
Maintain the stability of the tenancy
Prevent homelessness in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act

32. Thank you for listening Any questions?