What is Spelthorne Rentstart?
Since our beginnings 27 years ago we have provided assistance to approximately 8,000 people in need. We have housed nearly 2,400 people in safe and stable accommodation.
We work in collaboration with Spelthorne Borough Council and their Housing Options Team as a trusted partner, helping them fulfil their obligations under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017).
Based in Staines, covering the entire Borough of Spelthorne, we have our team of two permanent staff and we also employ people on fixed term projects. We are assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers and a very supportive Board of Trustees.
We collaborate with a huge range of statutory and charitable organisations, enabling our clients to receive all the extra support they may need to make further positive and lasting changes in their lives, now that they have the stability of secure housing.
By building excellent relationships with our landlords, we increase the amount of housing stock available to our clients.
“We are a small, dedicated team who tirelessly support our clients during their most challenging times, helping them to establish a stable foundation for their futures.”
– Meena Chahal, Project Manager Spelthorne Rentstart
Who Do We Help?
Single people or childless couples aged 18+ in the Spelthorne area who are:
What we do
We are dedicated to assisting individuals through all stages of vulnerable housing and homelessness. Our work extends to those who are street homeless, the hidden homeless — such as those living in sheds, cars or sofa-surfing — and those at risk of losing their homes.
By addressing the diverse and complex needs of these groups, we strive to provide tailored support that helps them move towards safe and comfortable accommodation.
How Do We Help?
We help vulnerable adults find accommodation in the Private Rented Sector. Once we have housed an individual, we continue to support them throughout the duration of their tenancy.
Referal
Individuals are reffered to us by partners or by Spelthorne Borough Council SBC. A refferal is not essential as people can also approach us directly.
Assessment
Our team assesses their needs to find the most suitable accommodation, taking into account their specific background and circumstances.
Progressing
Once accommodation has been found, our team progresses the matter through stages to the client moving in, including all the necessary agreements and finances.
Assessment
After the client moves in, a dedicated Tenancy Support Officer works closely with them to help them maintain and sustain their tenancy.
Developing
Their officer provides a bespoke support package to help each client develop the skills and resilience needed for independent living.
Services
Support includes a range of services, from budgeting advice to employment and training opportunities, with a focus on long-term success.
Evaluate
We use the Homelessness Star tool to evaluate needs, set goals and track progress over time.
Case Study
Stacy is a client of ours whose benefits were stopped. It turned out she had received a letter about the benefits but she didn’t understand it so had ignored it. The first time no rent was paid, the landlord contacted Spelthorne Rentstart.
One of our staff members talked to Stacy. They worked with her and liaised with the benefits office to resolve the problem. The missed payments were made, so there were no arrears – and no issue for the landlord. The tenancy was maintained, giving continued stability to the client.
Deposit Guarantee Bonds
We can people become tenants even if they will have difficulty funding the deposit. Then our ongoing support helps to ensure the tenancy runs smoothly.
The Deposit Guarantee Scheme is key to our core service.
Many of our clients do not have the financial means to provide a deposit to a landlord. Because of our long term relationships with landlords and the support we provide them, most will accept a deposit guarantee bond from Rentstart in lieu of a cash deposit.
This means that the client can move in without a cash deposit in hand. Rentstart encourages these clients to start saving for a deposit so that, when they are ready to move on, they have their deposit for the next place ready.
In cases of arrears or damage, Rentstart is then liable to pay claims to landlords up to the amount of the deposit. However we do not have to lay the cash out upfront. Landlords and clients know that we are here if there are problems during the tenancy, so that issues are flagged up early. This generally means they can be resolved before it reaches a point where a deposit claim is needed.
Because of our collaborative working with landlords and the support provided to tenants, our claim level is very low, and is testimony to the hard work of our staff and volunteers.
Rent in Advance
In the Private Rented Sector (PRS), landlords typically require one month’s Rent in Advance (RIA) before a tenancy begins. However, many of our clients depend on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, both paid a month in arrears. They tend to have little to no savings, limited or no access to financial support from family or friends, and generally do not meet the necessary criteria for bank loans.
Therefore, our clients are unable to cover this initial RIA, creating a significant barrier to securing housing in the PRS.
This can leave people feeling like there is nowhere to turn, and they often end up ‘sofa-surfing’ or facing the reality of sleeping rough.
We provide our clients with a loan to cover the RIA, which we look to recoup from their final Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payment at the end of the tenancy. Once repaid, these funds are ‘recycled’ to assist future clients with their RIA needs.
Our sustainable approach ensures that a single donation or successful grant application can support multiple individuals over time, continually helping those in need to access secure accommodation.