Switch Housing is focused on sourcing safe, secure and stable housing solutions for vulnerable families across the UK.
We are committed to moving those in need out of temporary housing to help enhance their quality of living, whilst increasing efficiencies for local councils and providing high-quality tenancy services for private residential landlords.
The project
For the past four years, Switch Housing has been working closely with local authorities to provide temporary accommodation in hotels within the wider Switch portfolio. Following this, several local authorities asked us to help manage the next stage of the housing journey – moving families and individuals out of temporary accommodation and into stable private rental properties.
Initially, our team focused on private rentals with a two-year tenancy, which the landlord managed directly with the tenant. However, this approach meant that we could not control the level of service provided by landlords. We also found that, in most cases, landlords were not prepared to take the risk of the tenancy at rates invariably below market levels.
The Switch solution
For the last 12 months, we have moved our model to a fully managed service, where the tenancy is held between Switch and the landlord. This allows us to have full and direct oversight of the tenancy agreement, providing assurance for both tenants and landlords, as well as key cost and administrative benefits to the participating local authorities.
Within the Switch Housing private rental programme:
- The local authorities provide Switch with the tenant, and the two-year AST / License is then between Switch and the tenant.
- The tenant pays Switch the monthly rental at local housing allowance rates, via Universal Credit.
- Local authorities provide Switch with a rental guarantee and malicious damage protection. These are both capped at three months’ rent, and only payable when an issue occurs.
- Switch manages the tenant induction and full tenancy, overseeing all maintenance and providing a 24-hour call line for tenants with any issues.
- Switch manages the next stage of the tenancy at the end of the two-year agreement.
- Local authorities pay Switch a management fee for the full service.
By working with Switch, local authorities benefit from a fully managed service, where all properties must meet the Switch minimum standards before they are added to the programme. All compliance is gathered and certified by our expert team, who also complete a full induction service for incoming tenants and in-depth property inspections every six months.
Switch’s high standard portfolio is regularly maintained and managed, with tenant survey data fed back into our programme to allow for constant improvement.
The results
The Switch programme has seen no returns (property refusals) in the last 12 months. Any complaints regarding property condition have been registered and remedied, with tenant satisfaction rates at least 20% better than our nearest comparable operator
Commenting on the service, a participating local authority said: “Switch have a great programme, where we know they have certified the standard of the home, collected all the compliance data and looked after the tenant for us. This provides the authority with the comfort that the service is managed effectively.”
Conclusion
The Switch Housing private rental scheme allows local authorities to reduce both their costs and administration time, with the benefit of minimal returns and permanent tenancy solutions. With Switch ensuring full health & safety compliance, local authorities can access a pipeline of high-quality housing stock which is safe, secure and managed by our expert housing team.
By forging new partnerships with local authorities and private landlords, this important scheme is enabling vulnerable families across the UK to enjoy a safe, comfortable and compliant home.
To find out how we can work together, contact Mikey Grewal: mikey.grewal@swhm.co.uk
