RICHMOND Council is making an appeal to private landlords to provide safe and secure homes for refugees resettling in London and is offering significant financial incentives, it has been announced.

Properties must meet the following criteria:

- Within the borough of Richmond upon Thames

- A self-contained home

- Have at least two bedrooms (ideally three/four)

- Fully furnished

- Available for private letting and as a landlord you will accept rent at local housing allowance rates

- Can be let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy for at least 24 months

The council say these requirements are designed to ensure families have the security and space they need. The following incentive packages are also available:

1 bedroom = £2,000 +6 weeks rent in advance

2 bedroom = £2,500 + 6 weeks rent in advance

3 bedroom = £3000 +6 weeks rent in advance

4 bedroom = £3,500 +6 weeks rent in advance A spokesperson said: "Richmond Council does everything it can to welcome refugees to Richmond upon Thames, support their settlement in the UK and enable their integration into local communities. "Settlement of refugees in appropriate communities with appropriate support is complex and is rightly being coordinated at a national level. "We have formally committed to supporting the government's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme. "At the moment we are working to identify accommodation to offer to refugees and ensure everything is in place to welcome and support to them." If you think you can help contact the council's temporary accommodation team, which administers the scheme by telephone 020 8871 7333 or email [email protected].