If you are moving into an Oxford City Council home and need help furnishing it, you may be able to rent furniture through our furniture rental scheme.
The scheme is designed to help tenants who are setting up a home for the first time and may not be able to afford to furnish their home.
Before using the scheme, you should explore other options, including support from charities and other local organisations.
Who is eligible
You may be eligible if you are:
- moving into an Oxford City Council property for the first time
- an existing council tenant who is moving because of harassment
- an existing council tenant who has been awarded ‘urgent’ status
If you are eligible, the Allocations Team will tell you when they make you a housing offer.
How the scheme works
- If you are eligible for the scheme, the Allocations Team will tell you when they make you a housing offer.
- Once you receive a housing offer, and before you view the property, the Furnished Tenancy Officer will contact you to explain the scheme.
- The Furnished Tenancy Officer will send you a brochure showing the furniture and household items available and a copy of the Furnished Tenancy Agreement. This gives you the opportunity to read through the agreement and ask any questions before making a decision.
- After you have viewed the property and signed your tenancy agreement, you can decide whether you wish to take up a furnished tenancy. If you do, you can select the items you need from the brochure and sign the Furnished Tenancy Agreement.
- We will arrange delivery of the items shortly after your tenancy begins.
The rental period is 5 years. All items remain the property of Oxford City Council.
What you can rent
You can choose from a range of household items, including:
- furniture
- carpets
- curtains
- essential household appliances
The amount of furniture you can rent depends on the size of your property.
Carpets are not included in this limit. If you need carpets, tell your Housing Officer or Furnished Tenancy Officer when you sign your tenancy agreement.
Tenants are charged rent for carpets, but the cost of carpets is not included within the furnishing limit shown in the brochure.
Looking after your furniture
You must keep the furniture and appliances in good condition.
We will:
- carry out regular inventory checks, either by telephone or in person, depending on the items provided
- carry out electrical safety checks on white goods to ensure they are safe to use within 2 years
- carry out gas safety checks on gas cookers
You may have to pay for loss or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
If you move to another council property
If you move to another Oxford City Council property while you are still paying for the furniture, contact us to discuss what will happen to the items and your rental agreement.
Options after 5 years
At the end of the initial 5-year term, you can choose one of 3 options.
End your furnished tenancy
- All furniture and household items provided under the scheme will be removed from your property.
Keep the items without continuing the furnished tenancy rental charge
- You will no longer pay the furnished tenancy rental charge.
- The furniture and household items can remain in your home.
- As items become worn out or no longer fit for purpose, you will be responsible for replacing them.
- We will continue to carry out any required safety checks on applicable items during this period.
Continue your furnished tenancy
- You can renew your furnished tenancy for a further term.
- You will continue to pay the additional furnished tenancy rental charge.
- The furniture and household items will remain covered under the scheme.
