A pioneering scheme which uses private sector properties to prevent homelessness has been launched by Mansfield District Council

Mansfield Associates Rented Solutions (MARS) has been running since December last year and has already helped 11 families in housing need. Families using the service have all been forced out of their home through no fault of their own, including a number fleeing domestic violence.

The scheme is the only one of its type in Notts and utilises good quality, affordable properties available in the private sector, providing a wider choice of properties not previously promoted by the council and easing the burden on stretched council house waiting lists.

Mansfield District Council inspects all the private properties on the scheme to ensure they meet the required Housing Health and Safety rating standards before recommending them to tenants

The landlords also sign an agreed service level agreement which sets out what they can expect from the council and what the council can expect from them. Landlords are encouraged to arrange an assured shorthold tenancy of at least six months, but preferably 18 months to two years.

The Council offers a variety of bond guarantee packages which can be tailored to suit the needs of the landlord and the tenant. The tenants also receive help and advice from the Council’s dedicated tenancy support team to assist them in setting up and maintaining a tenancy – just as they would if they were renting a council property.

The service is free of charge to landlords and tenants.
 
Coun Heather Henshaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Mansfield District Council said: “MARS is an innovative way of providing good quality housing for people in the most urgent housing need.

“With ever increasing numbers of people wanting council properties, there is growing pressure on the housing stock. By working alongside landlords in the private sector we can now provide people with a wider range of housing options and most importantly prevent homelessness.

“Because the scheme is driven by the authority and boasts a portfolio of private sector properties for the applicants, choice it is the only one of it’s kind in Nottinghamshire. This builds on the excellent work currently being carried out by our Housing Solutions Team, who were recently named as Regional Homelessness Champions by the Government”

Landlords can find out more about the MARS scheme at a landlords forum event at Mansfield Civic Centre on 22nd May, starting at 6pm.

Anyone interested in accessing the MARS scheme should call 01623 463121 or e-mail: MARS@mansfield.gov.uk