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Leasing scheme reaps rewards for Colne Housing
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| Tuesday 21st July 2009 |
The continuing high demand for affordable rented homes in Essex and Suffolk has led to a record uptake of a unique private sector leasing scheme run through leading Colchester-based housing association Colne Housing.
Demand for Colne Housing’s private sector leasing scheme – through which beleagured local landlords are offered guaranteed income over longer leases – has rocketed in the past 12 months, with over 100 people being offered a roof over their heads in 45 new leased properties, despite the market downturn.
Now Colne Housing, which owns and manages over 2,000 affordable homes across Essex including Maldon, Colchester and Clacton, is set to grow its private sector leasing team.
It is already expanding into other local authorities including Suffolk Coastal and Maldon.
Colne Housing has also received pledges from other local authorities to acquire another 100 properties in the coming year.
Richard Jones, Colne Housing’s New Business Manager and Commercial Manager, said landlords who struggle to find long-term tenants in a competitive market, are happy with the scheme: “The recession has created the need for even more affordable homes to rent and we can offer a guaranteed income and a secure tenancy.
“Its proving to be a safe choice for owners as they know their properties will be maintained, they can expect to achieve guaranteed tenancy and a regular income with their investments protected.”
Colne Housing’s decision to expand follows a survey of their existing landlord clients which reveals high levels of satisfaction with the service. 100% of those responding said they would recommend the scheme to other landlords
Colne Housing’s decision to expand its private sector leasing comes after a Council of Mortgage Lenders report reveals that buy-to-let landlords are losing their properties at over three times the rate of other homeowners.
Adds Richard: “Rents have often not lived up to expectations and as there are so many vacant properties to let, many are unable to attract tenants.
There continues to be an excess of vacant houses and flats to rent and some landlords are getting into difficulties after paying too much for their buy to let investments when the market was stronger.
“We are seeing landlords struggling to pay the mortgage and the additional service charges – and with falling house prices, many cannot afford to sell either.”
In the first three months of 2009 there was an eight-fold increase in the numbers of receivers of rent being appointed to collect the rent when the landlord defaults on the mortgage.
For more information, and to contact Colne Housing on 01206 244700 or e-mail info@colnehousing.co.uk |
| Posted by Kim for Colne Housing Society Ltd. |
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