CHAT is a registered charity, set up by local churches to help to those
seeking accommodation in the Mid Devon area.
We are funded by Mid Devon District Council (MDDC), Devon
County Council, local and national grant making bodies and donations
from local Churches and individuals.
If you let a bedsit, a flat or a shared house, then your
property is a valuable commodity and we would like to hear from you. We
can work with you to let out your accommodation to those in need.
We will ensure any housing benefit is paid to you as soon as
possible (CHAT has access to expert knowledge of the housing benefit
system should there be any problems).
A MDDC Pre-Tenancy Determination enables the tenant to make
sure they can afford the rent before the tenancy begins.
We insist the rent is paid direct to you, the landlord, and we
keep track on the tenant's claim on your behalf.
Should there be problems with housing benefit during the
tenancy we will work with you to resolve them.
We operate a deposit
guarantee scheme for tenants who cannot
afford their own deposit. In place of the cash deposit CHAT provides a
guarantee backed by a detailed inventory of the contents and condition
of your property.
Q.How does the scheme operate?
Potential tenants may be introduced to you through CHAT or
may find you themselves.
Once you have found a suitable tenant, we check their
eligibility to housing benefit and submit a Pre-tenancy Determination
request to MDDC.
We give tenants assistance completing any necessary paperwork
and make sure they understand their obligations as a tenant.
We then meet you at the property to take the inventory and
subsequently the necessary guarantees are signed by you, the landlord,
the tenant and CHAT.
Continuous support is available to you from CHAT throughout
the tenancy and we may refer the tenant to our Tenancy Support Service
for ongoing support in establishing and maintaining their tenancy.
There is no charge for this service.
Contact us by email or phone 01884 255 606 - option 0