Real Lettings is delivering an exciting new project for the London Borough of Lambeth; providing a “tenancy rescue” service for private rented sector tenants who are facing homelessness.

The Lambeth Tenancy Rescue service works with tenants in Lambeth’s private rented sector who are faced with Housing Benefit cuts due to the Government’s changes to Local Housing Allowance levels and eligibility.

Real Lettings has employed a team of specialist workers to support affected households who have been identified through joint working with the council’s revenue and benefits department. Real Lettings staff work with tenants on an individual basis to assess their situation, negotiate new rent levels with their landlords where possible, help source new properties for those who have to move from their homes and help get people back into training and employment.

Michelle Binfield, Strategy and Commissioning Manager who commissioned the service for Lambeth: “For us investing in this service was a real no-brainer. The costs to individuals and to the council of an episode of homelessness are well understood and this kind of preventative service is really valuable in every respect. The depth of some of the cuts to HB that some tenants are experiencing means that, even with the best budgeting skills, tenancies are no longer viable. The project is part-funded by the DWP using money they made available to local authorities to mitigate the impact of the changes to Local Housing Allowance and we think this service is a really good use of that fund”.

Katie Rosengarten, Manager of Real Lettings: “We are delighted to be working with Lambeth on the new Tenancy Rescue service. We are concerned about all the people across London who will be adversely affected by the changes to Local Housing Allowance and consequential cuts to HB and are please that Lambeth have decided to take such a proactive and positive approach to the changes, ensuring as many people in the borough as possible are supported to avoid homelessness.”

Lambeth Tenant who has worked with Real Lettings’ Lambeth Tenancy Rescue Team; “Because of Real Lettings I am have been able to stay in my home, thank you all of the team for your hard work!”

If you are a Local Authority who would like to find out how to set up a Tenancy Rescue service in your borough, through Real Lettings, please call Susan Fallis on 020 7710 0653 or susan.fallis@broadwaylondon.org