Elmbridge Borough Council is making an urgent appeal to landlords to help fulfil its pledge to house Afghans who have supported the UK in Afghanistan.

We have pledged to resettle three families under the government’s Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Relocation Scheme. Elmbridge has previously resettled a number of Syrian refugee families under another government scheme and is now set to assist Afghans who have supported the UK military in Afghanistan, while putting themselves and their families at considerable risk.

We are seeking one, two or three-bedroom properties in Elmbridge that are ready to rent out ideally within the next two months for at least 12 months. Private landlords who would like to help are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible.

As well as providing much needed homes, the scheme has a number of benefits for landlords, including:

• support to ensure that the tenancy runs smoothly
• a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent
• a rent guarantee for up to a year
• help with tenancy set-up (such as drafting the tenancy agreement and furnishing the property, where appropriate)
• help with covering void costs

Councillor Neil Houston, Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: “We are committed to our pledge to resettle three families and we will be working with organisations like Elmbridge CAN (a local charity) to provide support to the families for up to a year after their arrival - from help with medical needs and arranging English lessons to setting up bank accounts and finding jobs. If you think you could help with a property in Elmbridge, please do consider signing up to the relocation scheme and help these families build a new life in our borough.”

For more information about the scheme, please email housingpolicy@elmbridge.gov.uk, telephone 01372 474632 or visit Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Scheme.