The Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Thursday 30 July 2026 and unanimously adopted a new policy aimed at addressing temporary accommodation costs. This policy, the Private Rented Sector Offer policy, will enable the council to offer settled accommodation in the private rented sector to households at risk of homelessness, with the aim of reducing costs and improving choices for those facing homelessness.

Private Rented Sector Offer Policy

The committee discussed and unanimously adopted the Private Rented Sector Offer policy. This policy is designed to provide a pathway for households presenting as homeless or at threat of homelessness to secure settled accommodation in the private rented sector. The aim is to prevent or end homelessness by assisting individuals and families to find accommodation that can be reasonably occupied for at least six months. This is particularly relevant following the Renters' Rights Act, which came into effect on 1 May 2026, providing landlords with fewer grounds for possession and thus offering greater stability for tenants.

The policy will be implemented when the council is likely to owe a main duty to a household, meaning they have gone through the homelessness assessment process. It is intended to discharge this main duty by offering private rented accommodation. The council's responsibility is to prevent or end homelessness, not necessarily to provide a direct route to social housing, for which there is a separate application process.

Key aspects of the policy include:

• Suitability Assessment: Any offer of accommodation must be suitable. This includes being affordable for the household, meaning they can cover rent and living expenses. It must also meet the physical and medical needs of all household members, including appropriate size and any necessary adaptations such as level access or wet rooms. Furthermore, the accommodation must be a reasonable distance from key services, with consideration given to school travel times for children and the mobility needs of family members. The suitability assessment is determined on a case-by-case basis, guided by legislation and case law, and officers are trained to consider all relevant factors.
• Review and Appeal Process: Households have the right to request a review if they believe an offer of accommodation is not suitable. This review is triggered by an email within 28 days of the decision letter. The review is conducted by a senior, independent member of the homelessness service, with a guideline period of eight weeks. If the original decision is upheld, households can seek a legal appeal through the courts on a point of law, with eligibility for legal aid typically available.
• Financial Projections and Savings: The policy is projected to result in significant savings for the council. It is estimated that approximately 48 private rented sector offers will be made annually. In the first year, savings are projected at £40,000, rising to £590,000 in 2027-28, £1.39 million in 2028-29, and £1.92 million in 2029-30, as the full-year savings effect is realised. These projections are based on benchmarking with other London authorities, with the council aiming for a realistic target of 48 offers per year, acknowledging that this is a stretch goal.
• Landlord Checks and Support: The policy aligns with the Renters' Rights Act, requiring landlords and letting agents to be fit and proper persons. The council will conduct checks on landlords through databases, Companies House, and by looking for outstanding prosecutions or criminal records. While the council's formal contractual relationship with a household ends upon the offer of accommodation, there is a commitment to retain a professional interest in tenancy sustainment to prevent repeat homelessness. This may involve intervening if a risk to the tenancy arises, as part of the council's prevention duty. The council also has a relationship with landlords, as they are a source of accommodation.
• Data and Equality Impact: The Equality Impact and Needs Assessment highlighted disparities in homelessness data, particularly concerning religious affiliation. Muslims, for instance, represent a higher proportion of applicants in temporary accommodation (17%) compared to their representation in the Richmond population (4%). While detailed analysis of specific disability types against homelessness data is limited by the information provided on application forms, the suitability assessment process is designed to address individual needs. The council acknowledged that underlying issues such as housing insecurity or overcrowding may contribute to these disparities for particular cohorts.
• Out-of-Borough Placements: The policy allows for out-of-borough accommodation offers, driven by property availability and affordability. The council's primary responsibility is to end homelessness by providing affordable and suitable accommodation. If affordability is an issue within the borough, the council will seek options elsewhere. The council also aims to assist individuals in increasing their income or reducing expenditure through financial assessments, welfare benefit advice, and support into employment, which can expand their housing choices geographically.

The committee noted that the Private Rented Sector Offer policy can be implemented immediately as it enacts an existing power within the Housing Act 1996, unlike the allocations policy, which requires statutory consultation under Section 166A of the Housing Act. A review report on the implementation of this policy, along with other homelessness transformation initiatives, will be brought back to a future committee meeting. The committee also noted the updated committee work programme, with the allocations policy scheduled for discussion in September.