Are you Tenancy Ready?
Rent in advance
Almost all partner landlords in Devon Home Choice require successful applicants to pay rent in advance. This could be up to 5 weeks rent regardless of whether you have your rent covered by Housing Benefit.
Please think about saving to cover the rent in advance needed as soon as possible in case you are offered a property. You could have an offer withdrawn if you cannot provide the rent in advance.
Rent arrears
Having significant rent arrears or tenancy related debt and not keeping to a payment plan could exclude you from being able to register or to be considered as being able to maintain a tenancy. Partner social landlords within Devon Home Choice have different policies relating to rent arrears so whether a bid for home is accepted will be subject to the policies of the partner social landlord.
Please find below a list of national charities should you require advice on how to manage your debt (please click on the names below). Additionally, there may also be charities local to you that you may wish to approach.
Credit Unions
Credit Unions are different from banks and other financial institutions. Members pool their savings to provide each other with credit at a low interest rate. Credit unions are community oriented and their purpose is to serve people rather than maximise profits which is why they offer loans at a lower interest rate than from Banks and other financial institutions. The services offered are similar to those offered by banks but they use different terminology e.g. share accounts instead of savings accounts. It is usually the case that you have to be a member of a credit union before you may deposit or borrow money.
Please click on the link below to see details of Westcountry Savings and Loans Credit Union that have links with one or more of our Devon Home Choice Partners.
Local authority housing advice teams
You can contact your Local Authority housing team for advice using the contact details below.
East Devon District Council
Telephone – 01395 517469
Email - [email protected]
Exeter City Council
Telephone – 01392 265889
Email - [email protected]
Mid Devon District Council
Telephone – 01884 255255
Email – [email protected]
North Devon Council
Please visit - Homeless or at risk (northdevon.gov.uk) for advice and self-help tools.
Plymouth City Council
Telephone – 01752 305496
Email - [email protected]
South Hams District Council
Telephone – 01803 861234
Email - [email protected]
Teignbridge District Council
Telephone – 01626 215200
Email – [email protected]
Torbay Council
Telephone – 01803 207126
Email - https://forms.torbay.gov.uk/HousingEnquiry
Torridge District Council
Telephone – 01237 428849
Email - [email protected]
West Devon Borough Council
Telephone – 01822 813600
Email - [email protected]
