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Private Tenants - Rent Assistance
Ryedale District Council does not have any council houses and
there is a high demand for housing association properties in the
area. Private rental may be an option for you, as you can
choose the location and type of property and move in relatively
quickly if the landlord agrees. Depending on your
circumstances the Housing Options Team may be able to help you to
access private rented accommodation.
How do I Find a Property to Rent?
There is a dedicated Letting agent in Ryedale and most of the
local Estate Agents have properties to let. There are also
several large landowners in Ryedale who rent out residential
accommodation; some of the properties are houses in quiet villages,
and some are flats and houses in the market town of Malton. To
obtain a list of local estate agents and landlords
please email or telephone on 01653
600666. Local newspapers, the internet, shop windows and
supermarket notice boards also carry advertisements for
accommodation and should be checked frequently as available
properties are quickly taken. The Housing Options Team
produces a list of properties which have been advertised to let in
Ryedale approximately every fortnight; this list is available
in the reception area at Ryedale House in Malton or you can
request a copy by email.
Can I afford to pay the rent?
Renting through the private sector is more expensive than
through social landlords. You may, though, be entitled to
assistance towards the initial costs of renting such as legal fees,
rent in advance and bond (subject to eligibility and a local
connection to the area), and you may be able to claim Housing and
Council Tax benefit (either partially or in full) in order to help
you with the cost of renting your home.
Assistance from Housing Benefits is calculated
using the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). This calculation
makes renting privately more affordable than ever for people
relying on Housing Benefit. LHA rates are reviewed monthly
and can be checked by visiting: Directgov.
alternatively you can telephone Customer Services at Ryedale
District Council on 01653 600666.
Whatever your financial situation, if you are
considering renting privately, the Housing Options Team can assist
you to work out how affordable a property is and a benefit
calculation can be done before you commit to a tenancy. We
would never suggest taking on a property that has been assessed as
unaffordable for you.
How can Ryedale District Council Help me to
Rent Privately?
The Housing Options Team provides advice about Homelessness and
Housing Options. Appointments are normally available every
weekday except Wednesdays and can be booked by telephoning Customer
Services on 01653 600666. Alternatively you can
email your query and an officer
will answer your query as soon they can.
Depending on your personal circumstances you may be able to get
assistance through one of the following options:
- Landlord
Incentives
- Tenant
Incentives
- Bond Guarantee
Scheme
- Bond Payment Scheme (provided
through North Yorkshire Credit
Union)
- Rent in advance
Scheme
- Fast Track Housing Benefit
To find out more please contact the Housing Options Team.
What is North Yorkshire Credit Union and
how can they help me?
A representative from North Yorkshire Credit Union regularly
visits Ryedale House and you can arrange an appointment to see them
by phoning Customer Services on 01653 600666.
The credit union may be able to offer specific financial help to
people who are moving into a new home. If you are looking
for help to pay for a bond please contact the credit
union.
What sort of Tenancy will I have?
Privately rented tenancies are usually called
Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST), which are initially for a 6
or 12 month fixed term period. After this they roll over on a
monthly basis, becoming a periodic tenancy. This means that
you do not need to sign up a new document after the first initial
period has passed. A landlord is required to give two
months’ written notice in order to terminate this type of
tenancy.
For more detailed information about private tenancies please
visit the
Directgov Website.
Visit the
Shelter website
for independent advice about tenancies.
What is a bond or tenancy deposit?
Most landlords ask for a deposit to be paid before you move in
to a rented property. All landlords taking payment from
tenants in the form of a bond or deposit MUST pay this into a
Tenancy Deposit Scheme and give the tenant full details within 14
days of the start of the tenancy. Failure to do so could result in
legal action being taken by the tenant against the landlord who may
then incur significant fines.
More detailed information about Tenancy Deposit Schemes can be
found by visiting the
Directgov website.
Visit the
Shelter website for independent
advice about tenancy deposits.
If you need financial help to pay for a bond please
contact North Yorkshire Credit
Union.
Why do landlords ask for references?
Landlords often ask potential tenants to provide references to
prove that you are reliable and will be able to afford the rent.
This usually means providing bank details and/or a letter from your
employer confirming employment. Sometimes landlords request
character references or references from former landlords. If you
are taking on a tenancy for the first time, a landlord might accept
a reference from a parent or guardian.
Why do some landlords carry out credit
checks?
Landlords need to assess potential tenants carefully before
agreeing to let them move in. As part of this process many
estate agents and landlords carry out credit checks through a
credit agency to find out if tenants have unpaid debts or county
court judgements. You may be charged for the check to be done
and this fee will not be returned.
What is a Guarantor?
You might be asked to provide a guarantor for the rent. This is
more common for young people or the unemployed or someone with
a poor credit history. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the
rent if you do not. You may be charged a fee for a credit
check to be carried out, to assess whether the person who
has agreed to be guarantor is likely to and can afford to pay the
rent.
What is a property inventory?
An inventory is a list of everything that your landlord has
provided with the property you're renting, including: furniture,
carpets, curtains, appliances and kitchenware. It should also state
the condition everything is in - particularly anything that was
already damaged, marked or worn before you moved in. It is a
good idea to take photographs to help prove what was inside the
property when you moved in. Many estate agents provide an
inventory at the start of the tenancy and check it with you.
Visit the
Shelter website for independent advice about
inventories.
What should I do if I want to move out and
end the tenancy?
As a tenant you and your landlord have certain rights and you
cannot just leave the property without giving proper notice.
If you need advice about ending a tenancy
please email the Housing Options Team
or call on 01653 600666 for telephone advice or to arrange an
appointment.
Visit the
Directgov website for information about what to do at the end
of a tenancy.
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