LANDLORDS are being asked to support New Forest councils efforts to reduce homelessness.

New Forest District Council (NFDC) has appealed for more private-sector landlords to work with them by joining the ‘Private Sector Lease Scheme’ as part of their work under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

The scheme sees the council leasing properties from private landlords and then renting them to people who need accommodation in the district.

Across the district there are already 117 properties in the scheme.

The council says it has a history of managing properties in this way, but more homes and landlords are needed.

Cllr Jill Cleary, NFDC portfolio holder for housing, said the scheme had benefits for landlords as well as people who need accommodation.

“Becoming homeless is a devastating thing to happen. And it is not just the stereotype of rough-sleepers this national issue affects; losing your home could happen to anyone, often through no fault of their own," she said.

"We work to help anyone who doesn’t have a roof over their head."

Landlords who join the scheme receive a fixed term lease over a number of years and guaranteed monthly rental income for the whole of the lease period, including any times when the property is empty.

There is no management fee charged and repairs are carried out by the council’s maintenance team.

One-bed through to four and five bed properties are needed, with the greatest need being for two and three bed properties.

Cllr Cleary added: “We are working hard to meet the requirements of the new Homelessness Reduction Act head-on and in its first few months helped 63 households who were facing the imminent loss of their homes to secure alternative accommodation and avoid homelessness. But we can’t do this alone.

"We need more properties and believe what we offer landlords who join the private sector lease scheme is hassle-free with many mutual benefits."

Landlords can find out more by contacting Daniel Friedman on 02380 285588 or daniel.friedman@nfdc.gov.uk.