Home Choice Scheme

What is the Home Choice Scheme?

The Home Choice Scheme is a rent deposit scheme for accommodation in the private sector. This is different from Oxfordshire Homechoice which is a choice based lettings scheme for letting of social rented housing in Oxfordshire.

The Home Choice scheme provides people who may be homeless with the opportunity to move into a home of their choice and to avoid homelessness and a lengthy stay in temporary accommodation.

By providing the advice, support and financial help required, Oxford City Council has increased the housing options available to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Managed by Oxford City Council's Options Service, the Home Choice scheme is very flexible. It can be used, for example, to prevent private tenants from becoming homeless by enabling them to remain in their current accommodation or by helping them find alternative accommodation when their current tenancy comes to an end.

Advice for Tenants

Qualifying for the Scheme

We realise that not everyone is able to manage in private rented accommodation. The Home Choice scheme is therefore only offered to people we consider suitable.

To qualify for the scheme, families must:

• have a local connection with the Oxford City area
• have become homeless through no fault of their own
• satisfy Oxford City Council that they can manage in private rented accommodation

What We Can Offer

Under the Home Choice scheme, Oxford City Council will provide the tenancy deposit that a tenant needs in order to obtain private rented accommodation.

As well as offering financial assistance, Oxford City Council can offer a free tenancy agreement, comprehensive advice on all aspects of the lettings process and prompt Housing Benefit payments.

We will help arrange the tenancy, and will continue to provide the landlord and tenant with advice, support and practical help throughout the tenancy where this is appropriate.

More Details

For full details, please read the leaflet below or contact a member of our team using the contact details in the 'Contact Us' menu at the top of the page:

 Home Choice Scheme Leaflet (397kB PDF)

Advice for Landlords

We can helping private landlords fill empty properties quickly and without charge - are you missing out?

We can offer you:

No Fees, No Obligations: We do not charge fees and you have no obligation to accept any potential tenants we refer to you. We strive to match potential tenants to the properties they want, as we believe that happy tenants will be good tenants.

Dedicated and Helpful Staff: The team has expanded in recent years. There are now 5 full time and 2 part-time team members with different areas of expertise including Housing Benefits, two Legal Executives, and others studying for qualifications with ARLA and the Chartered Institute of Housing. The team has also been reorganised and a comprehensive new computer system has been custom made and implemented.

Cash or Bond Deposits: We can offer either a cash deposit, or a guaranteed Bond underwritten by Oxford City Council. The advantage of a Bond is that it does not have to be registered under the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme, which can be both costly and time-consuming in the event of a dispute.

Agency Fees: We can pay reasonable agency fees to help with costs incurred when setting up a tenancy, including paperwork, administration, check in / out fees, tenancy renewal and credit checks.

Tenancy Agreements: We have our own legally drafted tenancy agreement which can be produced quickly and accurately.

Legal Advice: We have two Legal Executives in the team who are happy to give, free practical advice on all issues relating to tenancy matters, including, if required, terminating a tenancy.

Fast Turnaround of Properties: Due to the diverse nature of our client base, we are always looking for a wide variety of properties in all areas of Oxford and the surrounding areas. We can supply potential tenants very quickly, minimising costly void periods. If you have properties that are hard to let, we may have a potential tenant for you - we have had previous success in finding tenants for narrow boats, tower block flats and 8 bed houses.

Housing Benefit Payments made Quickly and Directly to Landlords: We have a strong and positive working relationship with Housing Benefits. As well as an extensive working knowledge of the legislation, we also have a dedicated Housing Benefit assessor who gets Benefits assessed and paid quickly. We can also offer Housing Benefit payment direct to landlords, which is not automatic to tenants who aren't supported by the scheme.

Continued Tenancy Support: Our team are always available to sort out any issues that may arise during the tenancy. We aim to provide settled, happy family housing to our tenants and aim to deliver long term and hassle free tenancies.

If you wish to discuss the Home Choice Scheme further, please contact the Housing Needs Team on 01865 252858 or email housingneeds@oxford.gov.uk.

Page last reviewed 9 Feb 2011