Help to Rent West Dunbartonshire is the Council’s updated private rented sector access scheme, sometimes referred to as a ‘rent deposit guarantee scheme’.

The purpose of the scheme is to assist in making the private rented sector a viable option for households across West Dunbartonshire. Help to Rent West Dunbartonshire is defined as:

"A private sector access scheme which has direct contact with both a prospective tenant in housing need and a private sector landlord, and assists both parties establish and sustain a private sector tenancy”.

The main role of Help to Rent West Dunbartonshire is to help a prospective private tenant with a deposit they may require. This could be in the form of a guarantee or a physical deposit, depending on the circumstances of both the tenant and landlord.

Advantages for the Landlord:

  • Comprehensive assessment of tenant needs prior to the tenancy to ensure the private sector tenancy is a suitable option.
  • Provision of tenancy references where required.
  • Fast tracked housing benefit processing or help to arrange direct debit payments/standing orders where appropriate.
  • Letting support in terms of provision of tenancy templates for the Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement.
  • Personalised services by providing a named contact within the Housing Service to support landlords to resolve any difficulties arising from tenant behaviour (including nonpayment of rent) where required.
  • Helping the landlord to find a new tenant when a property becomes vacant.
  • Access to a landlord information pack.
  • Accompanied viewings and inventory agreement.

For more information on this scheme please contact Housing Development:
Tel: 01389 737347
Email: helptorent@west-dunbarton.gov.uk