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Kerrier: Kerrier launches its ‘Stepping Stones to Homes’ Scheme

Kerrier District Council new initiative is designed to help households in housing need to gain better access to the private rented sector through the ‘Stepping Stones to Homes’ scheme.


The Council recognised that there is a need to work more closely with private rented sector landlords, to offer a greater choice to households faced with homelessness, or those who are in housing need. With this in mind, Kerrier has developed a new initiative ’Stepping Stones to Homes’ which is aimed at providing a free service to both landlords and tenants, offering advice and guidance on all aspects of the letting process.

Benefits for tenants include:

• improved access to the private sector housing market and therefore more choice
• good quality accommodation
• support with moving and settling in to a new property
• rent in advance loans and deposit bonds
• access to the Council’s Housing Advice & Options and Private Sector Housing team.

A landlord joining the scheme will be offered a number of incentives, such as

• free membership to ‘Kerrier’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme’
• reduced price membership for the Cornwall Residential Landlords Association
• access to a landlords manual to assist with the letting of properties
• free advertisement via the West Cornwall Affordable Homes Marketplace Website
• tenant finding and credit referencing service
• a dedicated newsletter

The Council aims to provide support to both landlords and tenants through dedicated officers before and during the course of a tenancy.

Cllr Neil Hatton, Portfolio Holder for Housing said of the scheme: “This initiative for the future is to encourage more landlords to work in co-operation with Kerrier District Council, to fulfil our continued aim of reducing homelessness in the District. This goes hand in hand with the recognition of our Regional Champion status for homelessness in the South West.”

Further information about the Stepping Stones to Homes scheme can be obtained by contacting Ryan Goldsworthy, Private Sector Initiatives Officer on 01209 614286 or by email: ryan.goldsworthy@kerrier.gov.uk.