Covid-19 tenant grant fund
If you are behind on your rent due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, this scheme may be able to help.
The Scottish Government has provided all local authorities in Scotland with funding to support residents who are struggling with rent arrears directly caused by the pandemic. The fund is meant to aid tenants most at risk of repossession or homelessness.
If you're a tenant renting accommodation in East Renfrewshire and you're behind on your rent due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, this scheme may be able to help.
The scheme is designed to be flexible but there is an eligibility criteria set by the Scottish Government.
The grants are limited to helping with rent arrears that built-up between 23 March 2020 and 9 August 2021 to a maximum of 12 months within this period.
Grants can be used to make a full or partial payment of arrears depending on individual circumstances
Grants will be targeted towards current tenants who are at risk of becoming homeless and do not have any other way of clearing the arrears.
Private sector landlords should be registered on the Scottish Landlord Register.
Landlords should have carried out steps to resolve the issue before making an applying in line with pre-action requirements.
Payments will be made to landlords rather than tenants on the strict condition that the payment will be used to credit the tenant's rent account, and that any ongoing proceedings to end the tenancy will be ceased.
The aim is to ensure funding is targeted towards supporting households who are at the greatest risk of becoming homeless.
Who is eligible
The grant fund is available to tenants currently living in rented accommodation in East Renfrewshire. This includes private tenants, council tenants and people living in housing association properties. It's meant to help pay rent arrears arisen due to the pandemic between 23 March 2020 and 9 August 2021. If your rent arrears are from before or after these dates, your application to the scheme would probably be unsuccessful.
Landlords will receive any awarded funds directly on the strict condition that the landlord credits the tenant's rent account with that exact amount. Paying the funds directly to landlords ensures that tenants who receive other forms of financial assistance will avoid any negative impact on their benefits entitlement.
If the number of eligible people who apply exceeds the amount of funding available, we will prioritise tenants who are most vulnerable and at risk of repossession or becoming homeless and do not have alternative sources of support.
How to apply
Please read the information on this page to check if you are eligible for the tenant grant fund. Tenants and/or landlords are able to apply.
Tenants:
Tenants should email requests to rents@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk. A member of our team will then get in touch with you with the full details of how to apply.
Landlords/representatives:
Landlords, letting agents or third sector organisations should email requests to rents@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk. A member of our team will then get in touch with you with the full details of how to apply.
We will accept applications between 10 January 2022 and 25 February 2022. You must complete the entire application process by this deadline in order for us to consider your application.
