What services are offered

This Council's Accommodation & Lettings Officer (Private) is the officer responsible for landlord liaison and acquisition of accommodation throughout the Borough for the RAPS scheme.  The Accommodation & Lettings Officer (Private) can be relied upon to provide landlords of the scheme with advice and support in relation to any problems that may arise.

As a landlord of the RAPS scheme we will also:

• Guarantee all full monthly rental payments to you in advance for the duration of the tenancy whilst the property remains accredited.
• Offer you this Council's damage bond, which is equivalent to one and half months rent.  Any claims for damages are subject to the landlord having an inventory signed by the tenant.
• Guarantee to nominate a tenant to you for the mutually agreed tenancy start date, or pay you a weekly holding fee of £50.00 per week that the tenancy goes without a tenant.
• Right to rent checks are carried out on all prospective tenants.
• Offer you standard contracts and inventories for your use with your tenant.
• A free property accreditation service (including landlord advice and colour photographs of the property).
• We will share information with you regarding any future tenant we propose to nominate to you.
• We can give you advice and assistance in respect of bringing the tenancy to an end.  This includes notification of validity of any notice you may have served on your tenant to bring a tenancy to an end.
• Send you out annual reminders to advise you when your legally required gas checks are due.
• We will notify you directly if your tenant is getting into arrears of rent and provide you with a copy of all warnings and notices that we have issued to your tenant.  We will work with both you and your tenant in an attempt to resolve any problems.
• We will visit the property to carry out cyclical checks when we will check the property is being looked after by your tenant.  We will report any concerns we have directly to you.
• Referrals for support to external agencies can be arranged.

Please note Gosport Borough Council is not a managing agent and as such you, as the owner of the property, will remain liable for all maintenance issues.  We would also recommend you do your own periodic inspections in addition to our cyclical visits.  However we will support you in addressing any issues you may have with your tenant.