Furnished Tenancies | Berneslai Homes

Article: Furnished Tenancies

Furnished tenancies are tenancies where we have provided for an extra weekly charge, carpeting, curtains, white goods (cooker and fridge) and a range of furniture.

The tenancy is taken on the understanding that the property will remain a furnished property for the duration of the tenancy. This means that the tenant is required to pay the extra furnished tenancy service charge for all the furniture items included in the package from the start of the tenancy until the tenancy ends.

We have only a small number of furnished tenancies.

Who can apply?

We are not currently offering new furnished tenancies however some existing furnished tenancies occasionally become vacant. These furnished properties are advertised alongside all the other vacant properties in the Barnsley Chronicle, Barnsley Connects Offices and online. The advertisement will indicate whether a property is furnished.

Anyone can apply who is on the current housing register and is high enough on the housing register to be offered a property.

In addition, you should not have your own white goods or furniture or the means to buy furniture. The scheme excludes applicants who owe money (former arrears or recharges) to Berneslai Homes or the council or who have a history of anti-social behaviour or drug misuse.

To decide if you are eligible you must have an interview with the Furnished Tenancy Scheme Officer.

We offer the furnished tenancy option to applicants who are:

• on the housing register and are offered a property;  
• who are eligible for a furnished tenancy; and  
• where there is funding available for a furnished tenancy.

The Furnished Tenancy Scheme Officer, will determine if you are eligible for the scheme.

Note: We can only offer a furnished tenancy if we have funds at the time of the request.

Who do I contact?

For further information please contact the Furnished Tenancy Scheme Officer on 01226 775580.

How much will this cost?

A weekly service charge is added to the rent.

Charges vary between approximately £10.51 for a basic package in a one bedroom property to £31.65 for a full package in a 3 bedroom house.

This charge may be covered by housing benefit.

Contact the Furnished Tenancy Officer for details of the full list of charges for the various furnished tenancy packages offered.

How you can pay?

The service charge is covered by housing benefit if you qualify. Applicants who are in receipt of full housing benefit will have the service charge covered by this benefit.

Applicants not in receipt of housing benefit will have to pay the extra service charge.

You pay the charge in with your rent. For futher detials visit the Rents section of our website.     

What you need to do?

If you want to see the Furnished Tenancy Scheme Officer please call them direct on 01226 775580 or an appointment can be arranged through your local Barnsley Connects Office.

Next steps

If you apply for a furnished tenancy we will advise you if you are eligible within 10 working days of your request.
We can only offer a furnished tenancy through the Housing Register . For information on the Housing Register please visit What is the Housing Register?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all tenancies furnished?

No. Only a small number of properties are furnished and these only become available when the existing tenants terminate their tenancies. We will only offer a furnished tenancy to someone who meets our furnished tenancy eligibility rules.

How will I find out about the furnished tenancies that are available?

Berneslai Homes advertise all available homes in The Barnsley Chronicle, Barnsley Connects Offices and online.
We advertise Furnished tenancies in the same way as we advertise all vacancies. The advertisement will indicate whether the property is furnished.