South East England•1 active council scheme

Southampton empty home schemes

Southampton offers a landlord incentive scheme - money paid or guaranteed to landlords who let to council-referred tenants, such as guaranteed rent, rent in advance or a deposit guarantee. Each scheme below links to the council's own page where you can verify eligibility and apply.

Active schemes

Housing Bond Scheme

Deposit guarantee

Rent and damage bonds, each usually equivalent to one month's rent, valid ~1 year

Eligibility

Run by the council's Homeseekers Letting Service for people who would otherwise be homeless. The council provides two bond elements (rent arrears and damage), each a guarantee usually equivalent to one month's rent and usually valid for one year, replacing a cash deposit. Landlords use the council-supplied AST (generally 12 months) and supply gas, electrical and EPC certificates. Contact homeseekers@southampton.gov.uk.

Notes

Announced (March 2026) a forthcoming initiative to bring empty homes back into use, potentially including grants or loans. Details not yet published.

Council website

Southampton

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Scheme content is sourced from Southampton's own published pages and UK government open data (OGL v3). Verified bi-monthly via Proppys' research and review pipeline. Always confirm the latest eligibility on the council's own site before applying.