Accommodation Finding Team
If you are a landlord with a property to let, the Accommodation Finding Team (AFT) offers free services, including practical advice and cash incentives, to assist you.
The Accommodation Finding Team (AFT) can help you by:
- finding suitable tenants
- assisting in setting up the tenancy
- guiding landlords through participation in our incentive package schemes
- offering cash incentives
Landlord incentive packages
Using our knowledge of the market and the specific needs of landlords, we have created various options to better support you:
- one-time payment incentive: a single payment to the landlord for each property rented out to a tenant via the AFT on a 24-month assured shorthold tenancy
- rent and deposit agreement: a 5-week security indemnity deposit and cover of the monthly rent for up to three months for each property that a landlord lets on a 12-month assured shorthold tenancy
- help to rent insurance scheme: annual landlord insurance is offered for each property that a landlord lets through us
- 360 inventory: visit to the property and creation of a complete "pre-tenancy" record including 360° photographs of the condition of the property and meter readings
- rent guarantee scheme or insurance: for each property that a landlord offers, we will pay for an annual landlord insurance and provide rent payment guarantees to the landlord
- 5-year lease: we will arrange guaranteed property management services with a leasing agency that will handle; everything for the landlord, including receiving rental payments, managing repairs, dealing with vacancies, and addressing any other issues
Who we are
We connect landlords with people in Birmingham who are homeless and need good-quality, privately rented accommodation.
We have worked in partnership with over 500 landlords to provide homes for families living in temporary accommodation.
Our services are dedicated to both private landlords and letting agencies. Our main goal is to ensure that placements are right for both the tenant and the landlord.
Through our regular interactions with landlords we:
- understand what landlords look for in tenants
- recognise issues that can cause tension between tenants and landlords
- can address landlords' concerns about recent and upcoming changes in regulations and legislation
- can help ensure the longevity of tenancy
What we offer
We offer the following free services to landlords:
- arranging meetings and property viewings
- matching landlords with suitable tenants
- conducting free property compliance inspections
- completing background checks on tenants, including right-to-rent verifications
- assessing tenant affordability
- creating property inventory records and conducting inspections at the start of the tenancy
- providing support with tenant handover and documentation
- assisting tenants with arranging rental payments through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit (on a case-by-case basis)
- offering advice and support for any tenancy-related issues
What we ask for
To benefit from our incentive schemes your property must:
- be self-contained (all types and sizes)
- be in a good state of repair and have a well-maintained heating system
- meet specific housing standards
- have a valid gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe Registered installer
- have a valid electrical safety certificate from an electrician registered with a government-approved body, such as NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) (valid for ten years)
- have a valid energy performance certificate
If your property meets the criteria, we may be able to let it within a week.
Upcoming events
Any future events will be visible in this section.
How to sign up
To register your interest complete the form below
Further information
- Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates
- Private housing
- Selective licensing scheme
- Private Rented Sector Strategy 2022 to 2027
Page last updated: 17 May 2024