Council to work with private landlords to help meet housing needs

Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched a new service for private landlords to help residents to access affordable private rented housing.

The Council is aiming to help create a vibrant and successful Private Rented Sector to meet housing need in the borough. The new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Service aims to increase the supply of quality affordable private rented housing for singles, couples and families in need of housing.  The PRS Service will also help those at risk of losing their private rented tenancy and try to prevent evictions, through mediation and interventions to address tenancy issues.

The private rented sector is vital to help meet housing need within the Borough. More people now live in private rental homes compared to the social housing sector. Competition for affordable rental accommodation is high and loss of a private rent is one of the main causes of homelessness. The Council is committed to reduce the numbers of households living in forms of temporary accommodation. By helping landlords achieve stable lets it helps sustain independent successful tenancies and reduce homelessness.

The PRS Service will offer landlords a free tenant matching service putting forward a choice of tenants who are ‘Tenancy Ready’ with the skills and ability to maintain a successful and sustainable tenancy. Gratuities of up to £500 and other incentives are provided for landlords. Landlords and tenants are supported throughout the tenancy period, with advice and guidance, and tenancy mediation.

Cllr Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, said:

“Many residents in Cheshire West and Chester are facing difficult times and the housing market is tough for people. Housing is a basic need and we want to make sure that everyone has a place to call home. We cannot solve housing issues through social housing alone. There are many good landlords in Cheshire West and Chester and we are proud to work with landlords and agents providing quality homes already through our Landlords Forum, and are looking forward to working with even more landlords with our new offer of the PRS Service. At the same time, we will continue to tackle landlords who are not meeting the required standards in providing quality safe housing for residents.

“In providing an attractive offer to landlords, building relationships, and providing tenancy support, we want to encourage more landlords to work with the Council to help those in need of housing to find a suitable, safe and affordable home.”

The Council also runs a Landlords Forum to work with private sector landlords to help meet housing needs in the borough.

Organised in partnership with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), the Forum will meet at 5pm on Thursday 21 November at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.

The Forum is part of the Council’s working with landlords to increase supply of quality, safe and well-managed accommodation.

The Council is looking to offer incentives to work with responsible landlords in the borough.

To book a free place at the Landlord Forum please contact the Housing Strategy team on 0151 356 6410 or email: 

housingstrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

More details and bookings can be made via:

Landlord forum training events and newsletter | Cheshire West and Chester Council

More information about the PRS Service can be found on the Council website:

Private Rented Sector Service | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Landlords interested in working with the PRS Service can email:

privaterentenquiries@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk