Homelessness Assistance

The Deposit Guarantee Scheme can help people in significant housing need, particularly people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, to access private rented sector housing if they are not able to pay the deposit normally required by a landlord.

Under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, we will provide a written guarantee that the agreed deposit amount will be paid to the landlord if a claim is made at the end of a tenancy. This will cover issues such as damage, rent arrears or cleaning. The deposit will be the equivalent of a maximum of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for the property size. (an increased amount of deposit may be covered, considering a number of factors during the application and referral stage)..

Who is eligible?

You can apply for the scheme if you are in significant housing need, or you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and meet the following criteria:

• in housing need and on a low income
• being supported by or in contact with Homeless Services
• require accommodation in Scottish Borders
• have a local connection to Scottish Borders
• no other way of paying the deposit (i.e. no savings)
• must be over the age of 16
• able to meet affordability criteria to sustain ongoing rent payments

You may not be eligible:

• if you have rent arrears on previous tenancies that you are not addressing
• if you have a current Anti-Social Behaviour Order
• if there are other reasons that may jeopardise the tenancy

If you are a landlord, you need to be registered as a private landlord to access the deposit guarantee scheme.