LANDLORDS are being encouraged to join a scheme that has given hundreds of Darlington people a foot on the property ladder.

The Bond Scheme allows homeless people, or those on low incomes, to move into rented accommodation without paying hundreds of pounds up front.

Approximately 25 people register with the scheme every month, but only a fifth of that figure can expect to find a home to move into each month.

Tara McCormack, project officer for the scheme, said the problem was due to a shortage of landlords accepting members of the scheme and also a lack of council-owned properties.

She said: "Part of the difficulty we have in attracting landlords is due to the stereotypes people have of the bond scheme."

"But what we find is that tenants just want to make the most of the opportunity to set up home. A lot of these people don't have enough money to be able to afford the bond up front as well as the first month's rent.

"This scheme is beneficial to both the landlord and the tenant."

The three-way agreement between the Bond Scheme, the tenant and the landlord allows the bond - usually a one-off payment made prior to moving in - to be paid in monthly installments.

The monthly payments are retained by the bond scheme, and providing the landlord is satisfied that there is no damage to the property after one year, the money goes back to the tenant.

Hundreds of people have benefited from the scheme, which was designed to provide a chance for those who would otherwise be unable to take the step up into independent accommodation.

Applicants to the scheme are referred by other charities in the town and from the borough council.

A council spokesman said: "We have been making referrals to this scheme for several years and it is an excellent way for people to find accommodation who may not otherwise have got the chance."

The scheme costs approximately £30,000 a year to run and although this is funded largely by grants, any claims made by landlords are funded by pledge-holders.

Members of the public can become pledge-holders.

For more information, visit www.bondscheme.org.uk or call 01325-467617 for an appointment.

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