Rother District Council

One of our main objectives is to continue to develop our working partnerships with local landlords.

We have a dedicated private sector landlord liaison officer who is tasked with increasing the availability of good quality private rented accommodation.

We have helped landlords find tenants for over 300 properties since the scheme started in 2008.

The scheme offers the following benefits:

• Access to the National Landlords Association's Accreditation Scheme
• Access to Rother's Property Accreditation Scheme
• Pre-tenancy inspections
• A Bond Scheme (covers the cost of uninsured repairs for damage)
• A Pet Bond Scheme (covers the cost of uninsured damage caused by a tenant's pet)
• Tenant Support Visits
• Housing Health & Safety Rating System assessments
• Blank Assured Short-hold tenancy agreements for landlords who wish to use the service
• Assistance with direct HB/LHA payments to landlords for clients who are deemed vulnerable.

As a landlord you will need to provide:

• A copy of the current Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate (GAS SAFE).
• A current electrical safety certificate for the wiring & installations within the property-the Electrical Safety Council recommends that periodic inspection and testing is carried out every 5 years (by a registered electrician).
• A copy of a tenancy agreement.
• Furniture safety declaration (if applicable).
• If portable electrical appliances are supplied as part of the let-a copy of the portable appliance testing certificate.
• Provide a current Energy Performance Certificate from a qualified independent domestic assessor.

Additional recommended:

• Provide an electrical periodic inspection and testing certificate on change of tenancy (by a registered electrician).
• Membership of a professional landlords association.
• Achieved accredited landlord status.

Scheme Limitations

The link scheme is not a property management or leasing scheme. Where appropriate we will try and help if any problems arise during the tenancy. You should obtain your own references for the tenants we put forward to you.

The current scheme is not responsible for:

• Damage and repairs (unless subject to a bond).
• Utility, council tax, and insurance costs.
• The deposit.
• Unpaid rent.

The private sector landlord liaison officer can:

• Give general advice about rent but can not set rent levels.
• Help with Local Housing Allowance/Housing Benefit enquiries by liaising with the finance department.
• The officer can not determine LHA/HB amounts or make decisions regarding a tenant's application/account.

If the Rother Landlord Link Scheme is of interest to you and you have a property to let:

Please contact one of the officer's who operate the scheme on 01424 787592 or 01424 787561 alternatively write in to Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN39 3JX or email privatesectorhousing@rother.gov.uk

 Rother Landlord Link Scheme Leaflet [PDF] [404kb]

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