Agency secures over 500 tenancies for people at risk of homelessness

Agency secures over 500 tenancies for people at risk of homelessness

Southampton-based SDM Property has secured 532 tenancies for homeless individuals and families, expanding its homelessness prevention work and urging private landlords to support local housing solutions.

SDM Property, a lettings agency in Southampton, has successfully arranged over 500 tenancies for people who were homeless or living in emergency or temporary accommodation over the past year. The agency is now expanding its efforts into Bournemouth and Portsmouth, working closely with councils and private landlords to provide settled homes for vulnerable households.

Director Mark Vine emphasised that this initiative aims to balance the needs of landlords and tenants, using the agency’s relationships to address homelessness pragmatically within local communities. The approach focuses on families living in hotels due to a lack of affordable rental properties and individuals facing sudden homelessness due to landlords selling properties.

Details of SDM’s homelessness prevention work

SDM Property’s model involves collaborating with local councils and private landlords to secure long-term housing for those at risk. Recently, the agency took on around 10 units in Bournemouth and three in Portsmouth, expanding beyond its Southampton base. Vine highlighted a recent case where SDM helped a young family avoid homelessness by facilitating the purchase of their rented flat by an investor, allowing the family to remain as tenants while the landlord sold the property.

This case illustrates how agencies, landlords, and councils can align their interests to prevent homelessness. The landlord wished to sell, the tenants wanted to stay, and the council sought to avoid the family becoming homeless. SDM brokered a solution that satisfied all parties, demonstrating the potential for the private rented sector to play a constructive role in tackling local housing crises.

The agency’s work comes amid rising costs for local authorities. According to homelessness charity Crisis, English councils spent a record £2.9 billion on temporary accommodation in the year to March 2026, nearly doubling the expenditure from five years earlier. Of this, £1.9 billion was spent on nightly-paid accommodation, hostels, and B&Bs, with over 135,000 households living in temporary accommodation at the end of March.

Context of homelessness and private rented sector involvement

The scale of temporary accommodation use and council spending reflects the ongoing housing affordability and supply challenges in England. Many families and individuals face precarious housing situations, often relying on emergency solutions such as hotels or hostels that are costly and unsuitable as long-term homes.

Private landlords have historically been cautious about letting to households receiving benefits or those perceived as higher risk, limiting options for vulnerable tenants. SDM’s call for landlords to reconsider such policies highlights a potential shift towards more inclusive letting practices that can benefit communities and reduce strain on public services.

Agencies like SDM demonstrate how the private rented sector can be part of homelessness prevention by offering suitable properties and working with councils to secure tenancies that provide stability for tenants and security for landlords. This collaborative approach may help reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and associated public spending.

Implications for landlords and letting agents

For landlords, engaging with schemes that support homeless or vulnerable tenants can offer stable, long-term income streams, particularly when managed by experienced agents who understand the needs of these households and local authority processes. However, landlords must carefully assess risks and ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations, including property standards and safety requirements.

Letting agents can play a pivotal role by acting as intermediaries between landlords, tenants, and councils. They can facilitate tenancy arrangements that meet the needs of all parties while maintaining professional standards and ensuring that landlords’ investments are protected. Agencies expanding into homelessness prevention may need to develop specialist knowledge and partnerships to manage these tenancies effectively.

Agents and landlords should also consider the impact of ongoing regulatory changes affecting the private rented sector, such as the Renters’ Rights Act and evolving licensing or safety obligations, which may influence tenancy management and property eligibility for such schemes.

Remaining uncertainties and considerations

While SDM’s model shows promise, the broader capacity of the private rented sector to absorb increased demand from homeless households remains uncertain. Landlords’ willingness to participate may be influenced by economic conditions, regulatory changes, and perceptions of tenant risk.

The long-term sustainability of such initiatives depends on continued collaboration between councils, agents, landlords, and support services. Changes in government policy, funding for homelessness prevention, or housing market dynamics could affect the availability of properties and the viability of these schemes.

Landlords and agents should monitor developments closely, seek up-to-date guidance, and assess how participation in homelessness prevention aligns with their business models and compliance responsibilities.

Practical steps for landlords and agents now

• Review property portfolios to identify units suitable for tenants at risk of homelessness, considering location, condition, and affordability.
• Engage with local councils and agencies like SDM to explore partnership opportunities and understand referral processes.
• Ensure all properties meet current safety and licensing standards to comply with regulatory requirements when letting to vulnerable tenants.
• Maintain thorough documentation of tenancy agreements, communications, and compliance actions to manage risk effectively.
• Stay informed about legislative changes affecting tenancy law and homelessness prevention initiatives to adapt letting practices accordingly.

Supporting landlords with compliance and management

The Landlord Association (TLA) offers resources and support to help landlords and letting agents manage properties effectively, especially when working with vulnerable tenants. Through TLA membership, landlords can access compliance guides, document templates, and expert advice tailored to the private rented sector’s evolving requirements.

TLA’s new property management and compliance platform, ORBIT, currently in BETA testing, is designed to assist landlords and agents in organising property records, managing tenancy documentation, and recording key actions such as repairs and inspections. ORBIT aims to streamline compliance and tenancy management, which is particularly valuable when participating in homelessness prevention schemes that require careful coordination and record-keeping.

Exploring TLA membership and ORBIT BETA access can provide practical tools to support landlords and agents in meeting their obligations and contributing to local housing solutions.

Looking ahead, the involvement of private landlords in homelessness prevention may increase as councils seek cost-effective alternatives to temporary accommodation. Landlords willing to engage with these initiatives could find new opportunities, but must remain vigilant about compliance and tenant management challenges.

Sources: Letting Agent Today