Local council turns to private landlords

Exeter City Council is to re-launch it Extralet scheme next week as it turns to private landlords to ease a housing shortage in the area.

Under the scheme, landlords can receive a guaranteed rental income in return for making properties available to people on the council's waiting list.

The "pioneering" scheme starts again on October 28th with a demand for two-bed properties with secure outside areas, after it was originally launched in 2006 and used as model by local authorities across the country.

If successfully introduced across the country, the scheme could help reduce the number of people on council waiting lists which reportedly topped 1.7 million earlier this year.

Other benefits for landlords include regular maintenance inspections, gas and electrical safety tests and a damage deposit guarantee to the value of six months' rent.

Landlords accepted onto the scheme can also apply for Public Sector Renewal Grants to help towards the cost of any required works.

Grants can be used to pay for repairs to defective kitchens and bathrooms as well as decoration and re-wiring costs to bring houses in line with the council's Decent Homes Standards.

Councillor Laura Newton, lead councillor for housing and community involvement, said: "Extralet offers great value for landlords with lots of extras thrown in, at a very competitive management fee. Those getting involved will also have the knowledge that their property will be providing a much needed home for households in need."

Extralet will be officially re-launched at the National Landlords Forum at The Jury's Inn in Exeter on the 28th October at 18:00.

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