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Inverclyde Council has announced the launch of its Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Registered private landlords in Inverclyde are being invited to partner with the Council to deliver the Scheme.

What is Deposit Guarantee Scheme?

  • The Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS) is to support people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness access accommodation in the private rented sector, by guaranteeing a deposit where the applicant does not have sufficient funds to cover the cost.
  • The scheme provides a written bond ‘guarantee’ equivalent to the value of the deposit on the property, up to a maximum of £650, to the private landlord instead of providing a cash deposit upfront.
  • The Deposit Guarantee Scheme covers the first 12-months of the tenancy, which gives the applicant a chance to save a cash deposit to give to the landlord at the end of the 12-month DGS period.

Benefit for Landlords

  • Reliable contact and support for both the Landlord and applicant throughout the course of the scheme.
  • Inspection of property, photographic inventory taken of the contents before anyone moves in, as per standard with all of Bowman Rebecchi Letting's properties.
What do you need to do?
  • Be on the Landlord Register and ensure that property has been deemed to meet the criteria in The Repairing Standard defined by S.13 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
  • The property must NOT be subject to a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order
  • The landlord must also have current building insurance in place and if the property is mortgaged the landlord must have permission to let it.
  • Deposit Bonds will not be granted in respect of properties where the landlord of the property is a ‘resident landlord’ and where the applicant would have no legal rights of occupation/security of tenure
  • Deposit Bonds will not be issued where the tenancy has already commenced
  • The operation of the DGS is for properties located within the Council’s geographical boundaries
  • The landlord must issue a valid tenancy agreement under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, and comply with all relevant landlord and tenant regulations. The council will enter into separate agreements with both the landlord and the tenant respectfully in connection with the DGS.

Available Support

  • Throughout the 12 months when the DGS is running, support will be provided from the Housing Options Service for both the landlord and tenant and should any dispute arise, support mediation between the landlord and tenant.

What The Deposit Scheme Does Not Cover

  • The DGS does not cover rent arrears, unpaid utility bills, court fees, damage to communal areas and fair wear and tear.

What Will Happen At The End Of The 12-Months

  • During the 12 month period when the DGS is in place, the tenant saves up the deposit money. Following the expiration of the 12 months period, the applicant must pay the deposit value to the landlord, which the landlord is then legally obligated to pay the deposit sum into one of the national deposit guarantee schemes.

How to Participate

  1. Interested Private Landlords will offer their available properties to DGS and suitably assessed prospective Tenants will match with the property.
  2. A Joint inspection of the property will be conducted with the Landlord (Bowman Rebecchi Letting), prospective tenant, Assessment and Support Officer and Public Health Officer for inventory.
  3. A Tenancy is signed up and Landlord issued Deposit Guarantee (bond) by the Council.
  4. The Tenancy runs as a normal Private Residential Tenancy while tenant saves up Deposit to be paid to Landlord at the end of 12 months DGS.
What is next?
  • If you are interested in participating in this Scheme or for more information, please contact Inverclyde Council's Deposit Guarantee Scheme:

Address: Inverclyde Centre, 98 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1BZ

Telephone: 01475 715880

Email: DGS@Inverclyde.gov.uk