Private landlords serious about renting their properties in the city have been urged to contact Brighton & Hove City Council.
 
The call comes as new figures show the council is hitting key housing targets including making better use of the city’s private rented sector.
 
In the second year of the five year temporary accommodation strategy for vulnerable households, five hundred new homes have been sourced, families and pregnant women are being quickly moved out of bed and breakfast and rising numbers of landlords are signing up to the LAS (Landlord Accreditation Scheme).
 
A key part of the council’s work has resulted in 82 new landlords signing up to the LAS receiving training, while latest figures show that on average 11 properties a week are being acquired which are matched to households needing homes.
 
The council wants to further improve contacts with private landlords and letting agents to work to target more properties or adapt properties for use and a "direct let" officer has been appointed to quickly match households with available private properties.
 
Over the past six years the council has increased its supple of good quality self contained accommodation under 3-10 year leases to 525 homes. On top of this more than 17 overcrowded families have been re-housed under this process.
 
The council has steadily improved its service for private landlords because they play a key role in the city representing more than one in every 5 homes (21%) which is twice as big as the national average.
 
From the accreditation scheme, financial assistance to repair and improve homes or training to understand the new rules on subjects such as housing benefit, being a partner with the council is highly beneficial.
 
Under the landlord accreditation scheme the council aims to reward good landlords that maintain high standards. This scheme unlocks the ability to apply for energy efficiency grants, trade discount cards and be considered for the empty property assistance scheme.
 
Councillor Maria Caulfield, cabinet member for housing, said:
“The service we offer to private sector landlords is improving all the time.  Not only do we provide a one stop shop for landlords and a dedicated phone line, but we offer training and advice on housing benefit as well as the availability of grants to improve homes. Currently our team is matching 11 properties a week with tenants and landlords.”  
 
The figures are revealed in the Temporary Accommodation Strategy annual update 2009-2010, which is being considered by Cllr Caulfield on September 8.  Other topics at the Cabinet Member Meeting include the homelessness Severe weather emergency protocol, the Local investment plan for housing and the Contract for communal digital TV systems for council housing.

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk