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 guarantee that the deposit will be paid if any damage is done to the property while the tenant is living there. The deposit will be the equivalent of a maximum of two months’ rent.

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:

• you have a low income (qualifying criteria applies)
• you are unable to raise the deposit by your own means
• you are able to sustain a tenancy with reasonable housing support
• the tenancy meets the housing and support needs of your household
• the tenancy is affordable for your household
• you have a local connection to Scottish Borders
• you expect to reside in the property for a minimum of 12 months

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.