Help with furniture

There are two ways we can help you furnish your home.

Foundations Furniture Scheme

We work with local charity Foundations Furniture Scheme, which offers low-cost second-hand furniture and electrical items to households in Gateshead who are experiencing hardship. 

Foundations also have a range of new beds and mattresses, working with NEFIRST Credit Union to offer affordable weekly payment options.

Furniture Leasing Scheme

Council tenants may be able to access the Furniture Leasing Scheme subject to eligibility.

Referrals can be completed when signing up to a tenancy, or existing tenants can contact the Furnished Tenancy Team to discuss whether they are eligible.

The aim of the scheme is to help tenants access essential items (cooker, washing machine, fridge freezer/fridge and beds) required to sustain their tenancy.

Please note, we do not supply leased furniture packs when only one essential item is required.

There are five option sizes available. Each item of furniture is given a points value. The items you require will determine which option size is appropriate.

Items are not guaranteed to be new. Some items may be reconditioned.

Cost:

Prices are correct from 7 April 2025. 

The weekly leasing charge can be covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, depending on your circumstances. 

Points values of items

Kitchen furniture:

• Electric cooker - 16 points
• Fridge freezer - 18 points or under bench fridge with freezer box - 10 points
• Washing machine - 15 points
• Condenser dryer - 15 points
• Microwave - 5 points
• Kitchen pack (includes kettle, 16-piece cutlery and crockery sets, seven-piece utensil set, five-piece pan set and three tea towels) - 10 points

Living furniture:

• Two-seater brown leatherette sofa - 22 points
• Easy chair in brown leatherette - 14 points
• Two-seater brown fabric sofa - 20 points
• Easy chair in brown fabric - 14 points
• Rug (182cm x 265cm) - 9 points
• Dining table - 6 points
• Dining chair (each) - 2 points
• Coffee table - 4 points

Bedroom furniture:

• Wardrobe - 12 points
• Chest of drawers - 9 points
• Single divan bed - 14 points
• Single headboard - 4 points
• Single bedding set - 9 points
• Double divan bed - 18 points
• Double headboard - 5 points
• Double bedding set - 12 points
• Bunk beds including mattresses - 28 points
• Travel cot, including mattress and bedding - 12 points

Garden pack:

• Lawnmower, strimmer, hand shears, spade, fork, RCD and extension cable - 18 points

Other:

• Vacuum cleaner - 7 points
• Steam iron and ironing board - 6 points
• Three-piece towel set - 2 points

How to apply

The Furniture Leasing Scheme can be discussed when you sign up to your tenancy. Referrals are sent to the Furnished Tenancy Team, who will confirm whether you are eligible for the scheme and the option size that will be suitable. We will consider the size of your property and the number of people in your household. We will also consider whether you owe Gateshead Council any housing-related debt.

If you are already a tenant, contact us to apply, using the details at the bottom of the page.

Once we have agreed the most appropriate option size for you, a member of the Furnished Tenancy Team will be in contact to arrange delivery. You will also have to sign a leasing agreement (PDF, 28 KB).

Maintaining the furniture

Contact us for any of the following reasons:

• a leased item needs a repair
• you want to have an item collected
• you want to ask for additional items
• you are terminating your tenancy or transferring to another Gateshead Council property
• anything else relating to your leased furniture pack

You must not dispose of any leased items, regardless of their condition.

You will be charged for any missing items.