Damage deposit guarantees

One of the difficulties that homeless and other housing applicants have in accessing the private rented sector, especially those in receipt of housing benefit, is being able to provide damage deposits in advance of their occupation, which are routinely required by private landlords.

Epping Forest Housing Aid are a local charity who will in certain cases provide either a cash deposit or a damage deposit guarantee on behalf of a tenant.

Damage deposit guarantee

Damage deposit guarantees are an alternative to cash deposits, again provided through the Epping Forest Housing Aid Scheme. The guarantee, which will cover an amount up to a maximum of 4 weeks rent, offers landlords security in the knowledge that they will be able to make a claim on the deposit guarantee at the end of your tenancy.

To qualify you must be homeless or threatened with homelessness and in priority need, however homelessness officers may consider those who are not in priority need in some circumstances.

Additionally, you must be over 18 years old, have a local connection to the Epping Forest district and be unable to raise a deposit yourself because you are either on a low income, or you are unemployed and receiving benefit.

Apply for a damage deposit guarantee

Applications to take part in the damage deposit guarantee scheme will be made through our homelessness officers. If you are accepted, you will be advised to find suitable accommodation. If you need help in finding accommodation then our homelessness officers will try to help you.

Once suitable accommodation has been identified, simply provide information about the scheme to your prospective landlord or lettings agent, who will need to contact the scheme directly should they wish your tenancy to be covered by the damage deposit guarantee.

We will undertake a full financial assessment of your household’s circumstances to ensure that the accommodation identified is affordable. We will also arrange for an environmental health officer to inspect the premises to ensure that it is suitable for you to live in.

Want to know more?

If you want to find out more about damage deposit guarantees in the Epping Forest district contact our homelessness officers by:

• Telephone 01992 564165
• Email homelessness@eppingforestdc.gov.uk