Private Sector Leasing

Sunderland City Council is pleased to offer a Private Sector Leasing scheme for property owners within the city. For more details, please review the information below and contact us if you are interested.

The basics

The Private Sector Leasing scheme allows property owners to lease their property to the council for a fixed period of up to five years. During this time, the council will manage the property as part of the Council Housing Service. At the end of the lease, the property will be returned to the landlord with allowances for fair wear and tear.

The landlord will be responsible only for general maintenance, as the council will cover any tenant-related damages. Throughout the lease term, the landlord will receive a guaranteed monthly payment.

Advantages of Private Sector Leasing

• Guaranteed monthly income
• No need to handle housing management, rent collection, or deposit management
• Budget included for annual safety checks and minor works
• Tenant sourcing and management provided, with tenant damage covered by us

What we're looking for

• Properties to let to individuals on our housing register
• One, two, and three-bedroom houses, flats, and bungalows ideally within reasonable reach of the local housing allowance
• Properties that meet accreditation and decent homes standard, and free of Category 1 hazards
• Vacant possession required, existing tenants must vacate before leasing
• The property must have appropriate buildings insurance, with our interest noted by your insurer and mortgage provider, if applicable. Full details will be included in the lease

How much will you get paid?

Rent will be charged at the Local Housing Allowance rate, with a monthly management fee of between 23.5%-26% deducted depending on the number of bedrooms. This fee covers annual compliance checks, housing management, bad debts, voids, and tenant damage. If you approve us to complete any works on your behalf, the cost will be deducted from your next monthly payment. Here is an example of the expected income under the Private Sector Leasing scheme:

What are the next steps?

Please complete the online application form and we will contact you to arrange an inspection of your property. We will then assess if your property is suitable for our Private Sector Leasing.