Tenant Deposit Guarantee terms and conditions

Properties must be located within the Sunderland City Council area - if the Council Tax is paid to another authority, then the property won't qualify.
The property must be free from Category 1 and significant Category 2 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and should have all of the appropriate gas and electrical safety certificates, as well as an EPC of E or above, and working and appropriately located smoke alarms. This is the minimum legal standard for rented properties.
We will not be able to provide a deposit guarantee if the tenancy starts before an inspection can take place and an agreement is entered into to secure the deposit guarantee between Sunderland Council, the tenant and the landlord.
After you have been given the deposit guarantee you should give us at least five days' notice to arrange an inspection of the property that you would like to rent.
The property must be let on an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for a minimum period of six months and must be your principal or only home. It must be self-contained so houses in multiple occupation (HMO) or shared properties won't qualify.
The deposit guarantee is for 24 months from the start of the tenancy. No additional deposit guarantee will be provided.
Tenants will be expected to save towards their own deposit throughout the 24 month deposit guarantee period. This is to replace the council's guarantee with your own money. By not doing so the renewal or extension of your tenancy agreement will be put at risk.
All landlords must supply Sunderland City Council with sight or copies of the documents required to rent a property and must act in accordance with the law at all times.
Tenant references and tenancy training must be completed successfully before a deposit guarantee can be issued.
The deposit guarantee is valid for six months from the date of issue, if you don't start a new tenancy within this timescale with our deposit guarantee then you will need to re-apply.