A long-lease rental scheme has been approved by Enfield Council’s Cabinet as part of its 2025/26 capital strategy, aimed at substantially reducing the cost of temporary accommodation, and helping landlords to secure stable rental incomes.
The scheme will allow the Council to enter into long-term leases for suitable properties which will help control expenditure, reduce pressure on budgets and ensure families in need are offered decent and reliable homes rather than short-term emergency arrangements.
By shifting the emphasis to longer-term leases, landlords will have more confidence in working with the Council and assurance of competitive, stable rental incomes. This would be very much welcome given the stagnant rental market and ongoing housing crisis in England.
The Council will be able to move households into stable, better-quality housing more quickly, giving residents the security and dignity of a proper home. In addition,
The programme has been designed to be fully funded through existing revenue budgets, meaning no new borrowing will be required to support its delivery. By working within current resources, the scheme will also provide the Council with greater predictability in its financial planning, protecting against volatile market conditions and ensuring public money is used efficiently.
Over the next two years, the long-lease scheme will provide a significant supply of additional housing. In 2025/26, the Council plans to deliver 544 leased properties through the programme, with a further 544 to follow in 2026/27. These homes will make a meaningful difference to the many households currently waiting for secure accommodation and will help the Council to meet rising demand.
The scheme also complements Enfield’s wider “invest-to-save housing strategy”, which aims to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation and the length of time families remain there.
“By investing in longer-term solutions, the Council is ensuring that families are supported into settled homes and landlords can confidently work with us,” said Cllr Ayten Guzel, Cabinet Member for Housing. “This long-lease scheme marks a crucial step forward. It will reduce costs for the Council and offer households the stability and dignity they deserve.”
The proposal to draw down from the capital budget to support the scheme was presented to Cabinet on 10 September and agreed. The Council will begin securing long-lease arrangements immediately, with the aim of delivering both financial savings and lasting improvements in housing outcomes for residents.
To find out more about Enfield Council’s Long Lease scheme, please check our range of opportunities for landlords and agents.