Passport to Housing

Would you like more money in your pocket? Do you need help with the cost of moving home?

Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through Bath & North East Somerset's Homesearch and South Gloucestershire's Homechoice schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.

We can help you...

• Claim benefits
• Save money
• Reduce your energy bills
• Manage your money effectively
• Support you through the Homesearch and Homechoice bidding process
• Apply for grants

We're here for you!

Our Customer Advisors will discuss your finances with you and help you figure out how to put more money in your pocket. They can meet you in your home or at another suitable location to discuss your moving plans and explain what we can do to help you.

Call us on 01225 366000 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk if you think Passport to Housing might work for you.

Credit checks

Passport to Housing will carry out a credit check before we consider offering you a tenancy. We need to check the following: 

• Your identity
• Your past borrowing record
• Your current commitments

This will help us support you to identify and manage any financial barriers to getting a tenancy at an early stage, to save you unnecessary delays as at the point of getting an offer from Curo.

You may consider that you have no debt, or that you're managing small debts well enough for them not to get in the way of affording a tenancy. Very often people have debts from the past that they've forgotten about, or current arrangements that need to be addressed to make them more affordable.

No debt situation is ever irreversible if you work together with Curo. We can tailor solutions to suit your needs, supporting you to get your finances back on track.

Case study: “I’m now living my best life”

How Passport to Housing helped a customer find their Home for Good.

A Curo customer found the strength to overcome difficult mental health issues with the support of Curo’s Passport to Housing service.

Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through Bath & North East Somerset's Homesearch and South Gloucestershire's Homechoice schemes. It supports customers to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.

Sam* was living in privately rented accommodation on their own. Their health was poor and this prevented them from being able to work. Sam fell into arrears with their rent and the stress began to affect their mental health. They turned to alcohol and gambling to cope.

Sam knew something needed to change and asked their local authority for help with housing. Unfortunately, Universal Credit did not cover the full cost of their rent – they were only entitled to Local Housing Allowance, which meant there was a shortfall for them to pay. Due to the debt they had built up because of their health issues, they were unable to cover this cost.

“The clock was now ticking as the property I was living in was put on the market for sale,” says Sam. “Then I met Debbie from Curo’s Customer Accounts Team. She quickly reassured me that, if I worked with her, she could change my situation for the better. She was so kind and caring.”

At the appointments, Debbie looked at Sam’s finances, checking if they were entitled to any benefits. She gave Sam a list of tasks they needed to complete. “When I had done these, it made me feel in control and empowered,” says Sam. “I was on the right track.

“Sadly, I was medically retired from work. From this I was entitled to a pay-out from my employer. I used this to clear my remaining debt so I could have a fresh start.”

Debbie also helped Sam to claim Limited Capability to Work benefit alongside Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

Sam says, “My Passport to Housing journey was almost complete, and I was able to bid on available properties. After a short time, I was successful. I viewed the property and loved it!”

Debbie supported Sam further, helping them to get white goods for their new home.

Sam says: “I’m now living without gambling and drink. I have my own lifetime home with Curo, increased income and a better quality of life. I cannot thank Curo enough. I’m living my best life with my family and friends close by. Thank you, Passport to Housing!”

*Names have been changed