Guarantor for care leavers referred to AST matching
The agreement
Children's Service (Hammersmith & Fulham) will act as the guarantor for care leavers referred to the AST Matching team, through the Care Leavers Housing Panel, to assist young people to secure private rented accommodation.
This agreement is provided as an alternative to the transitional insurance scheme. Landlords and managing agents will be able to choose between the scheme or the council acting as a guarantor for care leavers referred for assistance to secure private rented accommodation.
The offer
As a guarantor, the council undertakes to provide:
- up to £5,000 cover for damage to the property caused by the referred young person, at the end of the tenancy. This would be payable following the provision of vatable receipts evidencing the repairs carried out
- up to 2 months non-payment of rent, evidenced through a documented rent account, and not exceeding a period of more than 2 months
- up to £5,000 costs associated with early surrender of the tenancy, without legitimate notice (eg removals, loss of rent). This would be payable following the provision of vatable receipts, rent accounts, etc
- the combined total of damage to property, non-payment of rent and costs associated with early surrender of the tenancy covered as a Guarantor will not exceed £5,000
The provision provided as a guarantor will be for a maximum period of 2 years (commencing from the tenancy start date), or for 2 months after the tenancy has ended, whichever is sooner.
Making claims
A landlord or managing agent can seek compensation from the council, where it has acted as a guarantor up to 2 months after the tenancy has ended, and under the terms set out in the offer.
This should be initiated by the landlord or managing agent contacting the AST Matching team on 020 8753 1241 or by email at propertytolet@lbhf.gov.uk
Upon agreement with the presented evidence (for example vatable receipts of completed repairs and rent accounts), and the provision of suitable BACS details, reimbursement will be made within 28 days.
Approved by
Amana Gordon (Operational Director, Children and Young People's Services)
Date:
Landlord or managing agent name:
Date: