Exeter's Housing Access Together Scheme: Practical Steps for London Landlords to Consider

What Is the Housing Access Together (HAT) Scheme?

Exeter City Council, under Labour leadership, has launched the Housing Access Together (HAT) scheme to tackle housing supply shortages by partnering with private landlords. The scheme encourages landlords to offer their empty properties to tenants in need, providing a suite of incentives intended to reduce void periods and streamline letting.

Key incentives include:

• Upfront cash payments to landlords for participating properties.
• No letting agent fees, removing a common cost barrier.
• Rapid processing of deposits and rent advances to secure tenancy agreements quickly.
• Tenant affordability assessments to ensure tenants can maintain rent payments.
• Guidance and support on legal compliance, particularly Right to Rent checks and tenancy agreement standards.

Importantly, landlords retain full control over tenant selection, so participation doesn't mean relinquishing decision-making.

Why London Landlords Should Take Notice

Although the HAT scheme currently operates in Exeter, London landlords face similar challenges:

• High void rates caused by market competition and tenant demand fluctuations.
• Increasing compliance complexity, especially with Right to Rent checks and tenancy documentation.
• Pressure on rental income stability amid economic uncertainty.

The HAT scheme offers a practical framework that London landlords—whether managing single units, HMOs, or larger portfolios—can learn from, especially in terms of how local councils might collaborate with private landlords in future.

Compliance Implications: Right to Rent and Tenancy Agreements

Participation in HAT requires landlords to comply with Right to Rent checks, a legal obligation for all UK landlords. Under the scheme, the council provides guidance to help landlords fulfil these checks correctly, which can be invaluable for accidental or less experienced landlords.

Similarly, landlords are encouraged to use tenancy agreements provided by the council or ensure their agreements meet legal standards. Given that tenancy agreements are critical for protecting both parties and clarifying expectations, this support can reduce legal risks.

For London landlords:

• Review your current Right to Rent processes and documentation.
• Update tenancy agreements to reflect current legal requirements.
• Consider council or professional resources to ensure compliance.

Financial and Operational Benefits

The scheme’s upfront cash payments and waived letting agent fees can significantly improve cash flow, especially for landlords facing prolonged voids.

Rapid deposit and rent advance processing mean faster tenant move-ins and reduced administrative burden.

The affordability assessments help minimise rent arrears risk, a common concern in the London rental market.

Tailoring the Approach by Landlord Profile

• Single-unit landlords: Registering with schemes like HAT could fill voids faster and reduce marketing costs.

• HMO landlords: While the scheme may not cover HMOs directly, the tenant vetting and support framework can inspire best practices.

• Portfolio landlords: Using similar council partnerships can streamline tenant sourcing and compliance management across multiple properties.

• Accidental landlords: The scheme’s legal guidance is particularly helpful to ensure statutory responsibilities are met without incurring additional legal fees.

Recommended Next Steps for London Landlords

1. Monitor Local Council Initiatives: Check if your borough offers or plans similar schemes. Engage with housing departments to express interest.

2. Audit Compliance: Conduct a Right to Rent and tenancy agreement review. Use professional services if necessary.

3. Assess Vacancy Rates: Identify properties with extended void periods and explore council partnership opportunities to reduce downtime.

4. Prepare Documentation: Update tenancy agreements to align with current legal standards, possibly using templates or council-provided documents.

5. Plan Tenant Vetting Processes: Incorporate affordability assessments to reduce rent arrears risk.

6. Engage with Specialist Advisors: Consider contacting Rentals & Sales for portfolio reviews, compliance audits, and pricing strategies tailored to your properties.

How Rentals & Sales Can Support

Our experienced team can help London landlords benchmark void periods against local averages and identify opportunities to partner with council schemes or adopt best practices inspired by initiatives like HAT.

We offer:

• Compliance audits to ensure Right to Rent and tenancy agreements meet legal standards.
• Portfolio reviews to optimise property performance.
• Pricing and marketing strategies to reduce vacancy times.
• Guidance on engaging with local council housing schemes.

Final Thoughts

While the HAT scheme is currently Exeter-focused, its practical incentives and compliance support represent a model that London landlords should watch closely. Proactively preparing for similar initiatives can reduce void periods, improve tenant quality, and ensure compliance, ultimately safeguarding rental income.

This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should consult legal professionals or authoritative sources regarding Right to Rent checks and tenancy agreements.