Caerphilly Bond Scheme Lucy Taylor

What we do: Work in partnership with the Local Authority. Funded by the Welsh Government, we help low income individuals / families into private rented accommodation by issuing a bond guarantee. The bond is a contract between the landlord, the tenant and POBL for a one year period.

Eligibility of applicants: The applicant must be homeless or potentially homeless. The applicant must have a local connection to Caerphilly. The applicant must be on Benefits or low income. The applicant must be capable of maintaining a tenancy. The applicant must be over 18.

Eligibility of Property/Landlord: The property must be in satisfactory condition. There must be a current gas certificate and EPC. The property/landlord must comply with Rent Smart Wales registration/licensing requirements. The Landlord must offer an assured shorthold tenancy for at least 6 months.

How we work: We meet clients face to face to assess their individual needs and their suitability. We can match a tenant to a landlord and property. The Landlord has the final decision on who moves into their property.

How we work: We will visit the property prior to the tenant moving in and complete an inventory and take photos. The tenant must open a Credit Union Bond Account and save their bond. We monitor these payments and inform the Landlord if the tenant doesn’t pay. Once the tenant has saved the full bond amount the money is released to the landlord to be treated as a cash bond/deposit.

Claiming against the Bond Landlords should contact the bond scheme within 10 days of the tenancy ending. Should there be a claim for damage, the bond scheme would need to inspect the property. Should there be a claim for arrears, we will need a rental statement.

Benefits of the scheme: We are a free service to Landlords. We can help you find a suitable tenant. We offer information and advice throughout the tenancy. We can assist tenants with claiming all eligible benefits. We can carry out home visits to help tenants sustain their tenancy.

Contact us: The Bond Scheme run Housing Advice Surgeries at Caerphilly and Blackwood Job Centres and Gilfach Housing Office. Tel: 01633 225092 Email: bondscheme@poblgroup.co.uk