You can download a copy of the Moray Keyfund leaflet here. 
(PDF format, 14 pages, 925 KB)

• Moray Keyfund
• What is the Moray Keyfund?
• What is a deposit?
• What is a deposit guarantee certificate?
• Who can benefit from the Keyfund scheme?
• Information for landlords
• Information for tenants

Moray Keyfund

• Are you looking for accommodation?
• Do you need help with a deposit?
• Are you a landlord who is interested in the benefits of a deposit guarantee scheme?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, then the Moray Keyfund could be for you.  You will find general information below about the Moray Keyfund, as well as information for both tenants and landlords.

If you are a landlord and would like to register an interest in the Moray Keyfund, please read the section on 'Information for landlords'.

If you are a tenant and would like to apply to the Moray Keyfund, please read the section on 'Information for tenants'.

What is the Moray Keyfund?
We set up the Moray Keyfund to help homeless people or people on low incomes to move into private rented accommodation by guaranteeing the landlord's deposit if the property is damaged or the rent the tenant owes builds up during the tenancy.  We will guarantee the landlord's deposit up to the value of one month's rent.  The Keyfund does this by giving landlords a deposit guarantee certificate.

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What is a deposit?
When new tenants move into rented accommodation, most private landlords or letting agents ask for a deposit to cover any damage to the property or to cover rent a tenant may owe when the tenancy ends.  This may mean that new tenants will have to pay a large amount of money at the start of the tenancy, as they could also be asked to pay rent in advance.

The amount of deposit a landlord asks for will depend on what the deposit will cover, but it will usually be an amount equal to 4 weeks' rent.  However, landlords or letting agents can legally ask for up to 2 months' rent.

What is a deposit guarantee certificate?
We will give the landlord a deposit guarantee certificate instead of a cash deposit.  This means the new tenant would not have to pay this deposit and would only need to pay the first month's rent in advance. 

The deposit guarantee certificate covers up to one month's rent only for the following:

• any damage caused to the property the tenant is renting;
• theft (any items the tenant may have taken which didn't belong to them);
• any rent a tenant may still owe the landlord.

The tenant will be expected to pay back the deposit guarantee to the Moray Keyfund at a rate they can afford.  When the tenant has paid back the full amount, we will offer this to the landlord as a cash amount.  If the landlord accepts the cash amount, they will return the guarantee certificate to us.  The landlord would then accept full responsibility for the deposit and the tenancy.

If, at the end of the tenancy, a landlord makes a valid claim (either for property damage, theft or rent they are owed) we will pay the landlord the full value of the claim, up to the deposit guarantee. If the landlord does not make a claim at the end of the tenancy, we will return to the tenant any amount they have already repaid to us.

Who can benefit from the Keyfund scheme?
We have designed the Keyfund scheme to help homeless people or people on low incomes who are not able to pay the deposit to secure the tenancy of a private rented property.  However, the deposit guarantee certificate will only apply to properties where both the tenant and landlord have agreed to stick to the conditions of the Keyfund scheme.  Both the landlord and the tenant will need to sign an agreement.

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Information for landlords

What can the Keyfund scheme offer to landlords?
If you are a landlord, we will:

• give you a deposit guarantee which you can claim against;
• help your tenants to claim Housing Benefit on time, and make sure that conditions are put in place so that they pay rent direct to you;
• check the progress of Housing Benefit claims and keep in contact with our Housing Benefit section;
• keep in regular contact with you and the tenant; and
• help you with any concerns you may have.

What happens before the tenancy begins?
Before your tenant moves into your property, we will visit the property to take an inventory (this is a list of all the items that are in the property before your tenant moves in).  We will take photographs of the property and we will give copies of these to you and the tenant.  We will also keep a copy.  We will check the property to make sure it is in an acceptable condition, meets the tenant's housing needs and is in line with current laws.

If our Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) agrees to us providing a deposit guarantee certificate, you and the tenant will need to sign separate agreement forms.

What happens during the tenancy?
Our Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will visit your tenant regularly.  However, if your tenant is having problems with the tenancy, you should contact us so that we can help sort out any problems so that the tenancy and deposit are protected.

What happens at the end of the tenancy?
We will ask you to contact us.  The Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will then check the condition of you property and decide whether or not you have a claim against the deposit.

How do I register my interest in the Keyfund scheme?
You can register your interest in joining the Keyfund scheme by contacting us.  You will be asked to fill in a form showing details of all your properties in the area.  Once you have done this, our Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will arrange a visit to your properties to make sure they are all in an acceptable condition.

If you would like more information on the Moray Keyfund, or would like to register an interest, please contact the Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector).

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Information for tenants

Finding a private rented property
If you have found a private rented property, you should contact us and let us know the address and the name and contact details of the landlord who owns the property.  we will then contact the landlord and check if they are willing to accept a deposit guarantee certificate.

If you have not found a private rented property yet, you should contact us, as we keep a list of landlords who have registered an interest in the Keyfund scheme and we may be able to find you a suitable property.

What happens before the tenancy begins?
Before moving in, we will visit the property to take an inventory (this is a list of all the items that are in the property before you move in).  We will take photographs of the property and we will give copies of these to you and to the landlord.  We will also keep a copy.  We will check the property to make sure it is in an acceptable condition, meets your housing needs and is in line with current laws.

If our Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) agrees to us providing a deposit guarantee certificate, you and the landlord will need to sign separate agreement forms.

What happens during the tenancy?
Our Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will visit you regularly.  However, if you are having problems with your tenancy, you should contact us so that we can help sort out any problems so that the tenancy and deposit are protected.

The Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will give advice and support if you need help with things such as managing you finances, claiming benefits and so on.

What happens at the end of the tenancy?
We will ask you to contact us.  The Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector) will then check the condition of the property and decide whether or not the landlord has a claim against the deposit.

If there is no claim against the deposit, you may be eligible for another deposit guarantee on a new property if you:

• continue to be eligible for the deposit guarantee;
• have met the conditions of you tenancy agreement; and
• have good reason for not paying your own deposit.

How do I apply to the scheme?
If you have recently made a homeless application where you were awarded no priority for rehousing (that is, we did not see you as a priority to be given accommodation), or you are on a low income, you can apply to the Moray Keyfund.  You can also ask to be put onto the Moray Keyfund by another service or organisations such as Citizens Advice.  We will ask you to fill in a simple application form and decide whether or not you are eligible for the scheme.  We will give you any advice or guidance you need during this time.

If you would like more information on the Moray Keyfund, or would like to apply, please contact the Homelessness Projects Officer (private sector).

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