Purpose

South
Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) currently runs a Homes for
Ukraine (HFU) Landlord Incentive Scheme, which offers landlords a
financial incentive (in the form of rent in advance, and top up
payments) to rent their properties to HFU guests at the reduced
Local Housing Allowance rate.
 
This
decision notice agrees an amendment to the scheme by altering the
way the financial incentives are paid to participating landlords,
to remain compliant with the Renters Reform Bill. This amendment
will introduce paying participating landlords their rent monthly,
rather than as a lump sum payment for 6 months rent in advance. The
practice of paying rent in advance is not lawful under the new
Renters Reform Bill. The £1000 thank you payment, payable
when landlords join the scheme, is now spread across the first
three months of rent payment.
 
SCDC no
longer ask landlords for a 6-month minimum commitment, as all
tenancies must now be monthly rolling, with a 2-month notice period
to end the agreement. The original term of providing 18 months of
funding for these tenancies remains.
 
This
amendment will ensure that SCDC operates within the constraints of
the new laws that have been introduced by the Renters Reform Bill.
These changes to the scheme will come into effect from the
1st May 2026.
 
The
attached Homes for Ukraine Landlord Incentive Scheme policy
document provides the revised policy for this scheme. The policy
for the Landlord Incentive Scheme has also been updated to reflect
this change and ensure compliance with the Renters Rights Bill by
Landlords who sign up to access the scheme.
 

Content

To
approve the amended policy (including payment structure) for the
Homes for Ukraine Landlord Incentive Scheme which come in to effect
from 1st May 2026.

Reasons for the decision

To
ensure the scheme remains compliant with the law, and to provide an
option for Homes for Ukraine guests to access the private rental
sector.

Alternative options considered

Option 1:
To cease the operation of the scheme,
however this would put increased pressure on the social housing
system.