Information on hand for prospective tenants

An Information Pack, containing useful advice and local information on renting privately is now available at the New Mossley Office.

Explaining the thinking behind the initiative, District Manager Mairead Flatley said:“The Information Pack has been developed by the Office’s Estate Management team who work daily with customers who come to us for help in finding accommodation.

“It can sometimes be the case that applicants may not be eligible for social housing or may have to wait a considerable time to get a suitable home where they choose to live. In some instances, the private rented sector may be an alternative option and so we want to give those interested as much information and advice on this as we can.

“The Information Pack contains contact details for local letting agents, together with regularly updated listings of properties on their books.

“It also includes important information on tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities if renting privately as well as advice on Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowances. We have also inserted contact details for independent advice services operating in the area.

“A well managed private rented sector has an increasingly important role in the overall housing market, particularly where there are issues of affordability for first time buyers or for those having difficulty accessing social housing in their preferred location.

“While in the past the majority of private rented accommodation was older terraced houses and flats, this trend has changed with an increasing number of recently constructed houses being offered for rent.”

Mairead Flatley concluded: “I hope the Information Packs will go some way to assisting those who are considering renting from a private landlord but I also want to emphasise that staff in the New Mossley Office continue to be on hand to give advice on this and on housing issues and services in general.”