Council asks landlords to provide emergency housing

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council says it has seen an increase in the number of people accessing its services due to the cost of living crisis.

A council in Surrey hopes to reduce the amount it spends on emergency housing by leasing more properties from private landlords.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) currently provides temporary units to 250 households. Of those, 90 are nightly accommodation.

The council is asking landlords of three, four and five-bedroom houses to sign up to its private sector leasing scheme, so it can reduce the amount it spends on the nightly units.

“We are all aware of the housing crisis that is affecting cities and towns across the country, and Epsom & Ewell is no different,” said councillor Clive Woodbridge.

“It is a priority that we can provide good quality temporary housing for families in the local area.”

The council said it needed between 10 and 15 additional properties, predominantly those with three and four bedrooms.

£395k overspend

It will lease and manage them on three to five-year contracts. Landlords will receive six months’ worth of rent in advance.

The council spent £1,665,493 on nightly emergency accommodation in 12 months to April - an overspend of £395,000.

It defines nightly accommodation as a room in a hotel, a room in shared accommodation or a self-contained unit.

In a report published on 9 July, the council said acquiring more properties through the private sector leasing scheme would help to reduce its expenditure, as long-term housing is cheaper than nightly paid accommodation.

Private sector leasing schemes are used by councils around the UK.

Lee Wiffen has been leasing his property to EEBC through the scheme for six years.

“I cannot praise [the scheme] enough,” he said. “The professionalism of the team in the housing department is first class.”