Renting furniture for your council home

Oxford City Council offers a furniture rental scheme for new tenants.

This scheme is aimed at helping new tenants who are setting up a home for the first time and may struggle with furnishing costs. Eligible tenants include those who are either new to council housing or existing tenants relocating due to harassment or awarded 'urgent' status.

Available furnishings range from carpets and curtains to essential appliances and furniture, helping turn our property into your home and supporting tenancy success.

How the furniture rental scheme operates

If eligible, you can select furnishings from our brochure when signing your tenancy agreement. These items will be delivered soon after your tenancy begins.

Rent for the chosen items is due for five years. At the end of this period, we will discuss your continued participation in the scheme.

Your responsibility includes maintaining the furnishings in good condition, considering fair wear and tear. All white goods come with a one-year warranty.

If you plan to move to another Council property, discuss the available options with us.

Exploring alternative options

Before renting furnishings from us, consider other options like grants from the Social Fund or charity assistance. Note that all furnishings remain Council property.

The total value of furniture you can choose is capped, depending on your property size. Carpets are excluded from this limit. Inform your Tenancy Management Officer if you need carpets when signing up.

Options after five years

Upon completing the five-year rental period, you can choose to:

• end the rental and have the items removed
• cease renting but keep the items in your home (they remain Council property and will be removed if they break down)
• continue the scheme annually, deciding each year whether to rent or not

Regular visits will be conducted for inventory checks and annual safety inspections of white goods. Remember, damage or loss of furnishings may impact your tenancy.