Letfirst Scheme Helps Homeless

The City of Edinburgh Council has commissioned approximately £14m of homelessness advice and support services to be delivered over the next 3 years. This contains a number of different services including Letfirst, an innovative and comprehensive solution to help people find homes in the city.

Letfirst is an assisted private rented scheme designed to encourage and assist people who are having difficulty finding good quality, affordable, accommodation.

The city has a shortfall of affordable housing and cannot meet the needs of all those facing homelessness using its own rented properties. The private rented sector amounts to 17% of Edinburgh households and can provide a major source of accommodation for those who require it. (Council housing represents 11% of Edinburgh households).

Orchard & Shipman Letfirst, the first scheme of its kind, will be focused on those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or in unsuitable housing and will offer people an affordable way into quality private rented properties. It works by offering tenants access into properties without the traditional need for a deposit and advance monthly rent payment.

Benefits for Landlords
There are also many attractions for landlords including properties professionally managed by experienced agents; a 6-month rental guarantee- unique to the private rented market – offering landlords greater flexibility in a fluctuating, uncertain economic market; no up front administration costs and no inventory or tenancy agreement fees. The demand for accommodation in Edinburgh is high, therefore a high volume of prospective tenants will ensure a prompt let.

Orchard and Shipman Chief Executive John Taylor says, “By working with the City of Edinburgh Council, we are able to offer an intelligent, comprehensive property solution that fits the needs of the people rather than shoehorning people into a system that doesn’t work for everybody. The scheme will also appeal to the increasing number of ‘reluctant landlords’ who are forced to let a property they may have chosen to sell in a more favourable economic climate.”

Director of Operations Angela Mclachlan explains, “We find that landlords are primarily interested in rental value, date of entry and any requests, such as adding or removing furnishings. Landlords enquiring about the Letfirst programme have been really positive particularly once they understand we’re offering a 6 month rental guarantee. They also feel reassured when we explain that we carry out references and affordability assessments to determine whether the tenant can sustain a tenancy and that we carry out bi annual inspections on the property. With this scheme we are removing some significant barriers that would prevent otherwise entirely suitable tenants capable of maintaining a tenancy, from accessing good quality private rented accommodation.”

Better Environment
Amongst the first to benefit are Stuart Young, his partner Carla and their baby daughter. Stuart and Carla had been living in a Council flat in Edinburgh but wanted to move to an environment where his daughter could wander freely and safely and where he could have a garden. Being unemployed and having no savings made this almost impossible until he heard about the Letfirst scheme.

Within two weeks, Mr Young was shown a property which met his aspirations. He said, “I was told it could take anything from two weeks to two months, but within two weeks we had found the house. Not having to pay a deposit was a massive advantage as it allowed me to move. The house is really nice and feels like home already after just a few days. We can let the baby safely wander around and I have a garden to look after.”

Edinburgh Council have provided funding for 3 years and it is hoped that the scheme will serve 300 families a year.

The first Letfirst shop was opened in Morrison Street by Councillor Norman Work, Vice Convenor of the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee  and John Taylor, CEO for Orchard & Shipman.

Orchard and Shipman are now looking for properties to meet the demand. Any interested landlords should contact Orchard & Shipman’s Edinburgh office on 0131 553 0088 or visit the website at www.orchard-shipman.com.