Private sector renting- help from council with deposit

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Hiya, wasn't sure where to post this but hopefully someone'll find it
Has anyone who has private rented had help from their local council?
I have a viewing tomorrow afternoon and am desperate to move (currently living with parents with my almost 4 year old).
I can pay the fees for referencing etc. But finding a deposit and first months rent will be a stretch.
If you have had help from the council, how long did it take for them to get it to you? And what was the procedure?
Also, has anyone moved into a new property while on Universal credit? How long did it take for them to sort the first payment with the housing added?
Sorry for all the questions.
TIA xx

Op, I think the council only give financial support to those assessed as homeless, and only if they qualify. Have you got friends/ family or bank you can get loan from?
I can’t answer how long paperwork takes but it is generally longer than you think!

Good luck with viewing!

All councils are different different, but give them a call. Ours run a rent deposit scheme where they pay up front and you pay it back in instalments.

Thank you for your replies. I will be ringing my council tomorrow.
Thing is if I don't sort it then I will be homeless as my parents need to downsize as they can't afford the property we're in now. Otherwise, no, I have no one to borrow from and my credit isn't great so a loan is out of the question
I was just trying to get a little idea of what might be coming my way.
Thanks again x

My friend is in a private rented house through the council. I think they were pretty quick to sort it out for her. I think the council sorted the deposit for her which she pays back bit by bit. I'm not sure about universal credits my sister was on it and I think it took about a month I want to say. Sorry not much help x

Thanks @@PixieDust92 any help is very gratefully received

If you get housing benefit or the housing element of universal credit (or you will get it when you move in) you can apply for a discretionary housing payment. These can fund deposit, rent in advance and moving costs and you don’t have to pay it back.

@teacuptale thank you very much! I made contact with the council today so hopefully will find out for definite within 48 hours

Good luck! If you put in an application, make sure you mark it urgent and follow up by phone to ensure it’s expedited.

I applied for UC on 29/12/2018 and I’m getting my first payment on 4th February, o don’t know if this timescale will help you out? Apparently the housing benefit will come straight to me now and I’ve to pay it to my landlord, I live in homeless accommodation and it’s called a PSL where I live.

Why can’t you get put into homeless accommodation and then you’ll be eligible for a council or housing association home? Private rents are ridiculous and you’d never be able to work due to the rent being so high, a lot of people are quite snobby towards council/association homes yet where I live, private rents are 50% more costly for the rent, so why wouldn’t I live in a council home?

My rent is currently over £800 pcm but only because it’s a homeless house and 3 different people need paid from this.

I got an advance payment whilst I’m waiting on my first UC payment. If I had to pay any rent then I was told I would’ve gotten extra so surely you’ll be entitled to an advance for rent seen as you will have costs, deposits etc.

Our local council do this but afaik no actual money changes hands.

The council tell the landlord that the council will put it in a deposit scheme on behalf of the tennant. I think it's a virtual, council run scheme. Landlord never actually gets the money but the council guarantee if there's any issues the LL can claim money back off the scheme to cover stuff if warranted.

Thank you for all the comments! It's been very hectic! My council said yes they would help but the agents who own the property (the agents own it themselves) have asked for ridiculous fees! They wanted £400 for a holding fee, £270 for referencing me, £100 to reference my guarantor, £180 reservation fee (incase I miss an appointment) then the first months rent and deposit at £625 each totalling at £2200.00 just to move in.
I used to be an estate agent so I know they can be extortionate with fees but that is way over what I had budgeted for and the flat wasn't worth that much agg! I've explained it all to the council and the lovely lady agreed it was ridiculous and I made the right call to walk away. Bit gutted but hopefully I'll find the right place soon.
Thank you for all your help x

£2200.00 is ridiculous you made the right choice

Heya was looking for threads on this on google and came across this I’m aware you posted this from like a year ago just wanted to know how you got on as I am looking to do the same did you ring the council? Go in or was there an application you could feel in really interested to see how you may be doing? Sorry for randomly jumping on lol!