This report seeks approval for the updated Rent Guarantee Scheme Policy.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which set out the updated Rent Guarantee Scheme Policy, which had been amended to reflect how the Rent Guarantee Scheme practice had been amended following legislation that had come into effect in recent years, and clarified the annual process for calculating and setting the Letting Income (the sum of guaranteed rent paid to landlords on a monthly basis).  A copy of the Rent Guarantee Scheme Policy (May 2022) was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the Rent Guarantee Scheme (RGS) had been in operation as a homelessness prevention tool since 2015, when it had been launched as an enhanced and additional offer to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS).  The Rent Guarantee Scheme Policy set out the way in which the Scheme operated, covering responsibilities to landlords and tenants, the approach taken to facilitate tenancies and the way in which guaranteed rent levels were set.

Resolved:     That the updated Rent Guarantee Scheme Policy be approved.