Three Rivers Council could run lettings agency service (From Watford Observer)

Bid to tackle social housing waiting list of more than 400

5:16pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

A major shortage of social housing in Three Rivers could see the council offer a lettings agency service to private landlords from later this year.

Just 140 two, three and four-bed homes were found for families last year despite the council currently having a waiting list of more than 400.

The council is hoping to attract more private landlords to let their homes to social tenants by offering a comprehensive management service.

The Easy Let scheme will provide three levels of service ranging from one offering tenant finding, referencing and basic support to a sub-let where the council will guarantee both rent and deposit.

The idea is still under consultation not expected to be opened to landlords until December at the earliest.

It is in addition to the tenancy deposit guarantee scheme which the council has offered since 1996.

Ewan McEwan, housing partnerships manager, said: "We do not have to do this it is not mandatory.

"But the other option is to sit back and watch social housing dwindling.

"We open ourselves up to some financial risk, not because of the type of people but because some things break down and some people won’t pay their rent.

"There is a risk but the whole scheme has been designed to minimise the risk and help people."