Council & Temporary Accommodation
Lettings for London Landlords.
Ekko London provides landlords with a professional, fully managed route into the local authority temporary accommodation sector. We assess suitable properties, agree clear commercial terms, complete onboarding and manage the property throughout the placement — so you deal with one experienced point of contact.
- Established London property company
- Experienced property management team
- Regular property inspections
- Dedicated maintenance coordination
- Local authority experience
What is a
council letting?
A council letting arrangement allows a suitable privately owned property to be used as accommodation for households placed by a local authority.
Depending on the arrangement, Ekko London may enter into an agreement with the landlord and then manage the property for local authority temporary accommodation. The landlord is not expected to manage the placement directly — we coordinate day-to-day management, resident communication, local authority liaison, inspections, maintenance and property records.
The exact contractual structure, rent, responsibilities and term will be confirmed within the individual property proposal and agreement.
- 1LandlordOwns the property and agrees terms with Ekko London.
- 2Ekko LondonOnboards, manages and operates the property day-to-day.
- 3Local Authority PlacementCouncil refers a household requiring accommodation.
- 4ResidentOccupies the property under the agreed arrangement.
A specialist route into the
local authority housing market.
Local authorities across London require suitable, professionally managed accommodation for households in temporary housing need. Ekko London works with landlords to assess suitable properties, agree commercial terms, complete onboarding and compliance checks, and manage the property throughout the placement.
We assess the location, condition, layout, room sizes and suitability of the property before making a proposal.
We check the required safety certificates, licensing position, property standards, inventory and onboarding documentation.
We manage routine communication with residents and the relevant local authority throughout the placement.
We coordinate inspections, maintenance, repairs, contractor attendance and property records.
Why landlords
choose this model.
A clearly agreed rental arrangement with payment terms set out before the property is accepted.
Ekko London becomes the landlord's main operational contact.
Local authorities continue to require suitable accommodation for households in housing need.
Properties may benefit from more stable occupancy than short private tenancy cycles, subject to the relevant arrangement.
Regular inspections, documented property records and ongoing resident management.
We manage reported repairs, contractor access and the maintenance process in accordance with the agreed responsibilities.
Who uses
temporary accommodation?
Temporary accommodation is used by a wide range of households who require safe and suitable housing while the local authority resolves their longer-term housing position. Placements are made by the relevant local authority based on housing need and property suitability.
- Working families
- Families displaced by fire, flooding or unsafe housing
- Households escaping domestic abuse
- People experiencing an unexpected loss of accommodation
- Refugees or households in resettlement programmes
- Individuals with health or welfare-related housing needs
How our council lettings
process works.
- 01Property Enquiry
The landlord submits the property details.
- 02Initial Assessment
We review the location, property type, condition, room sizes and likely suitability.
- 03Property Visit
Our team attends the property and completes a structured onboarding inspection.
- 04Rental Proposal
We provide proposed commercial terms and explain the responsibilities of each party.
- 05Compliance Review
We confirm the required safety certificates, licensing position and any works required before acceptance.
- 06Agreement and Inventory
The formal agreement is completed and the property condition is documented.
- 07Local Authority Placement
Once approved and ready, the property is offered for a suitable placement.
- 08Ongoing Management
Ekko London manages inspections, communication, maintenance coordination and property records throughout the arrangement.
Property acceptance and placement are subject to location, demand, condition, compliance, licensing and local authority requirements.
The operational work,
handled by us.
The exact division of responsibilities between Ekko London and the landlord will be clearly set out within the individual property agreement.
What types of properties
are suitable?
We consider a range of residential properties across London and surrounding areas — from single flats to newly completed developments and full portfolios.
- One-bedroom flats
- Two-bedroom flats
- Family houses
- Larger family accommodation
- Newly refurbished properties
- Vacant properties
- End-of-tenancy properties
- Landlord portfolios
- Agent-managed properties
- New developments
- Suitable location
- Good general condition
- Safe access and security
- Appropriate room sizes
- Adequate heating and hot water
- Functional kitchen and bathroom facilities
- Suitable fire and carbon monoxide protection
- Valid safety certification
- Appropriate property licence where required
- No serious damp, mould or structural defects
- Suitable furniture where required
- Clean and ready for occupation
Properties requiring work may still be considered. We can identify the required works during the initial assessment.
Compliance and
property standards.
Properties used for temporary accommodation must meet legal, contractual and local authority standards. Ekko London reviews the property before onboarding and identifies any missing information or remedial work.
The landlord remains responsible for their statutory obligations unless the written agreement expressly states otherwise.
Protecting
the property.
Our management process includes structured inspections, property condition records, resident communication and prompt reporting of maintenance issues. Inspections help us identify issues earlier and maintain a documented record of the property's condition.
- Move-in inventory & photographs
- Scheduled property inspections
- Resident welfare & occupancy checks
- Maintenance reporting
- Monitoring of property condition
- Follow-up visits after repair works
- Move-out inspection
- Check-out condition report
Clear responsibilities
from the start.
Council accommodation does not remove the landlord's legal responsibilities. Before entering into an agreement, we clearly explain which items are managed by Ekko London and which remain the landlord's responsibility.
- Structural repairs
- Major building defects
- Replacement of major installations
- Property licensing
- Buildings insurance
- Mortgage & superior landlord consent
- Statutory safety obligations
- Major heating, electrical or plumbing systems
- Providing a safe & suitable property at the start
- Day-to-day resident communication
- Local authority liaison
- Inspection scheduling
- Minor maintenance coordination
- Contractor access
- Reporting property issues
- Managing agreed operational tasks
The final responsibilities will be confirmed within the property-specific agreement.
Council lettings,
answered honestly.
Something we haven't covered? Speak to the team on 0208 553 2529.
Not necessarily. In many arrangements, the landlord enters into an agreement with Ekko London, and Ekko London manages the property for local authority placements. The exact contractual structure will be explained before the landlord commits.
A competent operator,
not just a letting agent.
Ekko London has operated in the London property sector since 2015. Our team combines property management, landlord relations, compliance oversight, maintenance coordination and local authority accommodation experience.
Landlords need a competent operator who can protect the commercial arrangement, manage the property properly and respond when something goes wrong.
- Established property company
- London market experience
- Dedicated management team
- In-house operational knowledge
- Structured onboarding process
- Regular inspection systems
- Maintenance coordination
- Clear landlord communication
- Local authority experience
- Professional property records
Download our Council Lettings guide.
Read how our local authority accommodation service works, what we manage and what we require from landlords.
Request a council
lettings appraisal.
Tell us about your property and our team will assess whether it may be suitable for local authority temporary accommodation.
- Free initial assessment
- One experienced point of contact
- Clear commercial proposal
- No obligation to proceed
Speak to Ekko about
its council lettings potential.
Whether you own one vacant property or an entire portfolio, we'll assess it, explain the commercial structure and identify any work or documentation required before you make a decision.
- Phone0208 553 2529
- Emailtheteam@ekkolondon.co.uk
- WhatsAppMessage us on WhatsApp
- Office32-34 Station Road, Manor Park, London, E12 5BT