Greenwich: Council launches a new property scheme

Private landlords in Greenwich have been invited to join a new letting scheme.

Greenwich Council has launched a new initiative designed to put empty homes back into use in the borough.

The scheme has been launched to support local homeowners and allows them to offer their properties to the council, which will rent it out or lease it on their behalf.

The council claims that the project will ease the shortage of homes and has offered landlords £1,000 as an incentive to participate.

This initiative will allow property owners to lease their property to the council for five years at an agreed rent and allow them to take on a full management role.

It will place the burden of collecting rent, finding new tenants, and carrying out repairs and inspections on the council.

Grants and loans will also be given in order to improve properties.

However, there are many landlords who manage their own lettings privately or through a third party agent.

For these people, the council announced that it will be offering a free service in which it will carefully vet tenants and provide a bond for claims against losses for damage or rent arrears.

It will also check properties and tenancy agreements.

Commenting on the scheme, Steve Offord, the royal borough's cabinet member for housing, said: "Both these options are a win-win outcome for everyone involved. We can help owners of empty properties get an income, and also take away a lot of the pain of the leasing and letting process. It also means we can ensure more people can have a roof over their heads."

One of the great things about the borough of Greenwich is that there are a number of different agencies tenants can rent properties from.

It is a highly popular area to live, which contains many importa

Published 18th December, 2013

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