Before you apply for the scheme you must ensure you:

• hold a valid Homes for Ukraine or Ukraine Permission Extension phase 1 scheme visa
• live with a host or in temporary accommodation provided by the council
• are not already in a private arrangement with your host or private rented accommodation
• have not already started the process for securing a property.

We recommend that you wait for the outcome of your application before looking for a property. If successful, we'll tell you how much we can give you for your first month’s rent and deposit, meaning you will be able to find properties that match your budget.

We try to make the process as quick as possible. However, if you apply after already finding a property, it puts unnecessary pressure on the process and we cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed and agreed in time for you to secure the property.

Before applying, please have ready:

• your last 2 months' payslips or 2 months' invoices and tax returns, if you are self-employed.
• your last 2 months of bank statements for all accounts you hold
• a Right to Rent share code
• your eVisa share code (select the third option to prove your visa status for “any other reason”).

We'll use the payslips and statements to evidence your income and outgoings. We may ask you to provide more after applying, if we need further evidence.

Your share codes are required to confirm that you are eligible for the rent deposit scheme.

If you or any of the household receive pension or benefits (for example, Universal Credit, PIP, disability allowance or pension credit), please have proof of these benefits ready to upload as evidence for the application. Proof includes a letter or monthly statement.

You or your household may also be able to claim other benefits, such as housing benefit, that may help your finances. Find out with the Entitled To calculator. Complete this as if you are currently living in a rented property to accurately determine if benefits will be available once you move in.

On the Council Tax section of the form, it will tell you how much Council Tax you will have to pay. Enter this into the Budget Planner when completed.

Once filled in, download the results PDF and keep this for the rent deposit scheme application.

The MoneyHelper Budget Planner is a website that asks you to fill in your monthly incomes and outgoings. It creates a spreadsheet with this information for us to review.

This will help you know how much you will need to pay out monthly and assures us that you understand the cost of living in the UK.

When completing the budget planner:

Do not enter an amount of rent – the amount of money left after all other outgoings have been deducted will show us how much rent you can afford

Do enter an estimate of monthly household bills (for example, gas, electric, water and Council Tax). 

• What is the average cost of utility bills per month?
• Council Tax is given on the Entitled To calculator. 
• More about Council Tax in Hertfordshire. If you’re moving outside of Hertfordshire, check your Council Tax band.

Do enter all income and outgoings so we can accurately determine if you can afford to live independently.

Do complete 1 budget planner per family. If you are applying with a friend, you will both need to complete a budget planner with the costs of living (bills, groceries etc) split across the separate budget planners.

Once you have completed the budget planner on the website, select ‘Download Spreadsheet’. The Excel spreadsheet version is the one that you will need to upload in your rent deposit scheme application. Please do not use the summary or emailed results.

Ensure that you have all the evidence listed above before starting the application. That includes:

• 2 months' payslips (or invoices and tax returns if self-employed)
• 2 months' bank statements
• MoneyHelper Budget Planner spreadsheet
• EntitledTo Calculator Results PDF
• Proof of benefits (if applicable)
• Department of Work & Pensions Pension Credit Letter (if applicable).

After you apply

We will review your application to ensure we have everything we need to make a decision. If we need more evidence or have questions about your application, we will email you.

A panel will review fully completed applications within 5 working days (1 week) of the application being finalised (not from the date that your application is made). The panel will either approve or decline the application based on whether we believe you can afford to live independently. The decision will be made using the application and the evidence you have provided.

If you’re unsuccessful, we will give you feedback and advice on what you can do next. If your circumstances change, you can reapply.

If you're successful, your offer will be valid for 3 months. When you’ve found a property, you will need to get an invoice from your landlord or letting agent for the amount agreed by the panel. You will also need to sign a grant agreement which we will send after the invoice has been provided. If a property is not found within the 3 month period, you will need to reapply.

These funds can only be paid to a landlord or letting agent. We cannot repay you, or anyone else on your behalf, if you have already paid the deposit or first month's rent.

Once you’ve found a property, your letting agent may ask for a “holding deposit” which is usually equal to one week’s rent. You will need to pay the holding deposit yourself as this is different and separate from the main tenancy deposit that we will pay.

Apply now

When you have all the evidence ready and have read the information above, you can start the rent deposit scheme application form.