South Lanarkshire rent deposit guarantee scheme

If you are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, our rent deposit scheme helps you rent from a private landlord. Landlords often ask for a cash deposit before they agree to let but the rent deposit scheme gives a written guarantee of a responsibility instead.

The guarantee covers:

• damage to the property, furnishings or anything listed on the inventory beyond normal wear and tear

It doesn't cover:

• fair wear and tear
• rent in advance
• unpaid gas/electricity bills
• service or utilities charges such as heating or stair lighting
• rent due if the tenant leaves the property without giving notice

To qualify you must be:

• have approached South Lanarkshire Council for housing options and advice and are considered to be a risk of homelessness or have made a formal application to South Lanarkshire Council and have been assessed as homeless
• be able to afford the rent (taking into account any entitlement to local housing allowance)
• unable to find the cash for a deposit
• have a local connection to South Lanarkshire
• commit to a saving s plan in order to save the deposit over an agreed period (usually 6-12 months)

Applying to the scheme

The scheme only accepts referrals made by a housing officer from South Lanarkshire Council. Make a housing options appointment with your local housing office to discuss being referred. 

The scheme could find a property for you but if you find your own property, the Scheme will contact the landlord to ask if they'll accept the guarantee.