Skip to content

Free 24/7 helpline

0800-171-2222

Deposit Help for Private Rental

Finding the money for a deposit can be one of the biggest barriers to renting a home.

Our Tenancy Deposit Service (TDS) helps make private renting possible for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. If you’re 18 or over, and social housing isn’t likely to be an option for you, this service could help. We provide a grant towards your deposit, so you can secure a home in the private rental sector.

 

The Tenancy Deposit Service is supported by Lloyds Bank, Tenancy Deposit Scheme and The Housing Executive.

How to access the service?

You can start your self‑referral by filling in the online form below.

 

If you’re unsure about eligibility, next steps, or what information to include, our FREE Homeless Support Line (0800 171 2222) open 24/7 can guide you through the process and make sure the nomination reaches the right team quickly.

The Tenancy Deposit Service is for people aged 18+ who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and want to rent privately.

 

If you’re unsure about eligibility, next steps, or what information to include in your self-referral form, our FREE Homeless Support Line (0800 171 2222) open 24/7 can guide you through the process and make sure the nomination reaches the right team quickly.

 

Our staff are available to discuss your circumstances in more detail, including your current housing situation and support needs to make sure the Tenancy Deposit Service is right for you.

If you are currently living in a Simon Community temporary accommodation service, please speak to your Support Worker to be nominated. They will talk you through your housing options, including the possibility of moving into private rented accommodation if this is something you feel ready for.

 

Your Support Worker can also discuss whether you may be eligible to be nominated for a Tenancy Deposit Grant, which can help cover the upfront costs of securing a private rental. Together, you can look at what option best suits your situation, your support needs, and your long‑term housing goals.

If you work for another organisation and wish to refer someone to Simon Community, you can request a Nomination Form by contacting our Homeless Support Line on 0800 171 2222. Once the form is completed, please email it to our dedicated Tenancy Deposit Service email address included on the form. Our team will then review the application.

 

If you’re unsure about eligibility, next steps, or what information to include, the Homeless Support Line can guide you through the process and make sure the nomination reaches the right team quickly. Our staff are available to discuss the person’s circumstances in more detail, including their current housing situation and support needs to make sure Tenancy Deposit support is right for them.

Please complete the Self-Referral form.

 

If you’re unsure about eligibility, next steps, or what information to include in your application, our FREE Homeless Support Line (0800 171 2222) open 24/7 can guide you through the process and make sure the nomination reaches the right team quickly.

 

Our team will then review the application and be in touch.

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours. At particularly busy times, it may take slightly longer, but we will always get back to you as soon as possible.

 

If we contact you by phone, the incoming call will show as 028 90 232 882, so you’ll know it’s us.

You can only receive a Tenancy Deposit Grant once.

 

If you have already been awarded a grant in the past, you will not be eligible to apply again.

You will need to complete the Self-Referral form below, which will guide you through a series of questions about your circumstances.

 

As part of the process, you will also be asked to submit a supporting statement and provide proof of income or Universal Credit at a later stage.

Get in touch with our team

Tenancy Deposit Self-Referral Form

Tenancy Deposit Service form

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Address*
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Reason for homelessness*
Please tick all of the options that apply to you.
Current Accommodation*
Please tick the relevant option.
Where is your income from?*
Please tick all of the options that apply to you.
Are you receiving/need support for any of the following?*
Please tick all of the options that apply to you.
Select the option that best matches how many people reside in your household.
Please specify
Detail any support services you are engaging with.

What To Expect

Once we receive your referral, a member of our Housing Solutions Team will look at your situation and support needs, check what you can afford and explain the next steps to apply for the grant. If we can’t award a grant, we’ll still give you advice and point you to other services that can help.

I had been living in hostels and sleeping rough for a number of years and the tenancy deposit scheme has allowed me to gain a sense of safety and security though renting my own home, the whole process was simple and straightforward and thanks all involved for your support.

Philip