Dorset Council is urging private landlords operating in the local area to consider an alternative to what it deems to be ‘expensive agencies’
The local authority is attempting to persuade more landlords to sign up to its scheme which incentivises landlords to house tenants directly, rather than use letting agents that charge management fees.
Key4Me scheme, launched in November 2024, offers landlords a financial welcome of up to £4,250, paid in stages throughout the tenancy.
Additional support includes help with rent in advance, a deposit bond (up to 12 weeks’ rent), a rent deposit (up to five weeks’ rent), and a pet bond (up to £400).
Other benefits for landlords include free landlord compliance checks; support from the council’s tenancy sustainment team; a free tenancy agreement and inventory; one year’s free membership with the South West Landlords Association
The initiative is part of the council’s wider efforts to reduce homelessness and improve access to affordable housing.
Cllr Gill Taylor, cabinet member for housing, health and community safety at Dorset Council, said: “We are turning the market on its head and proving that there are successful alternatives to expensive agencies or sourcing your own tenants. Housing is one of the four priorities for this council.
“Our collaboration with landlords means that we are helping more and more households to access the private sector on affordable terms as well as saving landlords hundreds of pounds in fees in the process, so everyone wins.”
That’s rich coming from Councils who struggle to properly maintain and keep their own social housing stock to any decent standard. Managing property is not as simple as collecting rent and handing over an agreement and keys. As for council support you can’t even call them these days!
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Totally ridiculous, they simply shouldn’t be allowed to operate in a free market below the market level charges. It’s an abuse of their position. Agents should be able to refuse to pay their business rates.
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How is this even allowed! So they are breaking the law by offering more bond than is legally allowed to be taken and pet deposits which again we currently as a letting agent or landlord allowed to take! Yes turning the market on its head by acting illegally!
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So using money paid by letting agency staff in Council Tax and money paid by their employers in Business Rates to put them out of business. Remember that come election time.
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