702 info leaflet 29/10/08 10:54 Page 1
Information
leaflet
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Registration
Wirralhomes is a Partnership of Registered Social
Landlords (RSLs) in the Wirral area who have agreed an
allocations policy for letting their housing stock in the
Borough.
The policy is based on advertising available vacancies each week and
people applying for suitable properties which they are interested in.
HOW CAN I RENT A PROPERTY THROUGH WIRRALHOMES?
Only people who are registered with Wirralhomes can apply for
vacancies.
HOW DO I REGISTER ON THE WIRRALHOMES DATABASE?
You can register at any Council One Stop Shop, Wirral Partnership
Homes Area Housing Offices or by telephoning Wirralhomes on 0151
691 8040. Alternatively, we can post an application form to you or you
may download an application form from the Wirralhomes website. You
will receive a Wirralhomes Reference Number and a registration date.
CAN ANYONE REGISTER ON THE DATABASE?
Most people over the age of 16 years can register with Wirralhomes.
However you may not qualify if you are subject to immigration control -
please contact the Wirralhomes team or a One Stop Shop advisor for
more information.
Applicants with a history of anti-social behaviour may be suspended from
registering with Wirralhomes or being offered a property.
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Wirralhomes Landlords
Applicants with rent arrears can register on the database but may not be
The Wirralhomes database is a register of applicants who wish
offered a property until they have made and kept to an arrangement to
to apply for social housing advertised in the Wirralhomes
pay off their arrears.
scheme.
The Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) who are partners in the
DO I NEED TO KEEP IN CONTACT WITH
scheme are:
THE WIRRALHOMES TEAM?
• Arena Housing Association
• Beechwood & Ballantyne Community Housing Association
It is important that you tell Wirralhomes of any
• Cosmopolitan Housing Association
changes in your circumstances. If you do not
• Leasowe Community Homes
we may cancel your application.
• LHT (Rodney Housing Division)
• Plus Dane Group
We will ask you to renew your registration each
• Regenda First (Maritime Housing Association)
year and send you a renewal letter and
• Riverside Housing
a reminder asking you to return a response slip.
• Venture Housing Association
If you do not respond, we will cancel your
• Wirral Methodist Housing Association
application and you will not be eligible to apply
• Wirral Partnership Homes
for vacancies.
WHO WILL YOU DISCUSS MY
APPLICATION WITH?
Your personal details will be used according to
the Data Protection Act 1998. When you
register with Wirralhomes you give permission
for the Wirralhomes partners to contact some organisations including the
Department of Works and Pensions and Housing Benefit.
You will need to give written permission if you want your representative,
for example a relative or advisor, to discuss your application on your
behalf.
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Urgent Need status
WHAT IF I NEED TO MOVE URGENTLY?
• Applicants who are living in a property owned by a partner RSL and
are ‘Underoccupying’ that property by 2 or more bedrooms which
Some applicants may need to move urgently. We will assess your
are not being used.
application and you may be awarded an ‘Urgent Need status’ which will
• Applicants living in a ‘Clearance’ area in the Wirral in a property
give priority over other applicants for many advertised vacancies.
owned by a RSL, privately owned or rented. Residents from clearance
Sometimes, applicants in very urgent need are awarded 2 Urgent Need
areas will be awarded a 'Clearance Priority' which is the equivalent of
statuses. This is known as Multiple Urgent Need status.
a single Urgent Need status for rehousing in the whole borough and
Multiple Urgent Need status for rehousing within approximately 2
The categories of urgent need are listed below:
miles of where they are currently living.
• Applicants who are living in a property which is statutorily
‘Overcrowded’. This takes into account the number and age of
HOW MANY APPLICANTS HAVE URGENT NEED
permanent household members and the number and size of rooms
STATUS?
in the property.
• Applicants who are living in a property which is considered to be
We only award an Urgent Need status after serious
‘Unfit’ for occupation by the Council's Environmental Health
consideration and carrying out checks. Normally
Department.
about 6% of Wirralhomes applicants have an
• Applicants with severe ‘Medical’ problems or ‘Disability’ need where
Urgent Need status.
their current housing is adversely affecting their health and where a
move to a more suitable property would substantially alleviate the
medical problems or disability needs. Those with mobility problems
HOW LONG IS AN URGENT NEED STATUS
who require adapted accommodation will be registered on the
AWARDED FOR?
Disabled Persons’ Housing Register.
If an Urgent Need status is awarded, this is for a period of 6
• Applicants who are suffering from ‘Violence or Harassment’, which
months. During the 6 months it is the responsibility of the applicant
has been investigated and supported by their landlord, the Council’s
to take reasonable steps to seek rehousing by expressing interest in
Anti-social Behaviour Team, the Police or other appropriate agency.
at least one property per month if suitable properties are available. The
Applicants who are tenants of a property owned by a partner RSL
Urgent Need status will be extended for a further 6 months provided the
(Registered Social Landlord) should report the incidents to their
applicant has been applying for suitable vacancies. Urgent Need statuses
own landlord who will investigate according to their own harassment
will end if two reasonable offers are made and refused.
policy.
• Applicants who need to move for special hardship or ‘Welfare’
reasons as agreed by the Wirralhomes team.
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Advertised vacancies
DOES AN URGENT NEED STATUS GIVE ME PRIORITY FOR A
WHERE WILL THE WIRRALHOMES PROPERTIES BE
PARTICULAR AREA?
ADVERTISED?
Not normally. Most applicants with Urgent Need status must be prepared
You will be able to see the Wirralhomes advert each week in the
to consider a wide range of areas as there are a very limited number of
following places:
vacancies.
• Participating Registered Social Landlord offices
• Council One Stop Shops
Similarly, you need to consider a choice of
• Internet (www.wirralhomes.net)
property types, for example if you are awarded
• All Wirral libraries
an Urgent Need status on medical grounds for
• Citizens Advice Bureau Offices
a move to level accommodation, this would
• Other community facilities for example Millennium Centre, Leasowe.
include ground floor flats, flats with a lift or a
bungalow.
WHAT INFORMATION ABOUT THE VACANCIES IS PROVIDED?
There are very few available vacancies and, if
you restrict the area and type of property that
The advert includes a photograph of the property (or similar property), a
you are willing to consider, we may not be able
description of the type and size of the property and the key features, for
to help you. You must also fit the lettings
example double glazing or central heating. It will also specify the lettings
criteria for the vacancy.
criteria for the property including family size and/or age group.
WILL MY URGENT NEED STATUS BE
HOW DO I APPLY FOR VACANCIES?
AFFECTED IF I MOVE OR MY
CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE?
You can apply for the vacancies in the following ways:
• Call in to any Council One Stop Shop or
Yes. Your Urgent Need status will end if you
Wirral Partnership Homes Area Housing Office
move to another property or your circumstances change. You may apply
• Phone the Wirralhomes hotline or answerphone on 0151 691 8040
again for an Urgent Need status which will be considered taking into
• Send an email to [email address]
account your new situation. For example, if you have an Urgent Need
status due to overcrowding and move to a larger property or a member of
Please read the property details carefully and check that you fit the
the household leaves, your Urgent Need status will end.
lettings criteria before you apply.
Your circumstances will be checked before an offer of accommodation is
made so it is important that you tell us about any changes.
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WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED TO PROVIDE?
ARE ALL VACANCIES ADVERTISED?
You need to provide:
Not all. Partner RSLs may allocate some vacancies to tenants who need an
• Wirralhomes reference number
urgent management move, for example due to serious repairs, fire or flood,
• Name and address
or for homeless applicants who have been accepted by Wirral Council and
• Contact telephone number
owed a duty under the current Homelessness legislation.
CAN I APPLY FOR ANY VACANCY?
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF RECEIVING AN OFFER?
The properties are advertised in 2 groups:
There are only a limited number of properties available, and
• Group 1: Any applicant may apply but applicants with Urgent Need
therefore you should be flexible and realistic in your
status are given priority.
expectations when applying for vacancies. Normally, there
• Group 2: Any applicant may apply but applicants are considered in
are between 12,000 and 18,000 applicants registered
order of date of registration and any Urgent Need status is not taken
on the Wirralhomes database some of whom have
into account. Some vacancies may give preference to a landlord’s
been registered for over 15 years. On average,
existing tenants who have a good tenancy history.
only 25 vacancies are advertised each week
and there is considerable demand for all
Two thirds of all properties are advertised in Group 1. One third are
properties, particularly family accommodation. Most
advertised in Group 2.
applicants will have a considerable wait before
receiving an offer and unfortunately we will not be able to
Before you apply for a property, please read the advert carefully to make
help everybody. You should also consider other options, for
sure the property and area are suitable and your household fits the
example renting privately.
lettings criteria in the advert.
More information is included in the Wirralhomes ‘Availability of
You may apply for a maximum of 2 properties each week, not including
accommodation’ leaflet which can be obtained from any Council One
‘Readily Available’ properties.
Stop Shop or by contacting the Wirralhomes Team on 0151 691 8040 or
[email address].
Please note that the closing date for receiving expressions of interest is
normally Tuesday at 2pm each week.
The information is also displayed on the Wirralhomes website at
www.wirralhomes.net.
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Offers of a property
WHAT ARE ‘READILY AVAILABLE’ PROPERTIES?
WHO WILL BE OFFERED A PARTICULAR PROPERTY?
There are normally some vacancies, mainly flats which are not in high
This will depend on which group was specified in the advertisement:
demand. These are included on the Wirralhomes website and displayed
• Group 1: Any applicants with Multiple Urgent Need status or Urgent
at the Council One Stop Shops and partner RSL offices. These properties
Need status will be considered first. If there are no applicants with
are let on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and interested applicants
Urgent Need status the property will normally be offered to the
should contact the landlord direct.
applicant who has been registered on the Wirralhomes database for
the longest period of time.
• Group 2: The property will normally be offered to the applicant who
WHAT IF I NEED HELP TO APPLY FOR
has been registered on the Wirralhomes database for the longest
PROPERTIES?
period of time.
The Wirralhomes team and the One Stop Shop
Before an offer is made, the landlord will check your application.
advisors are here to help you. An advisor from
the Wirralhomes Team will apply for vacancies
on your behalf if you have difficulty in accessing
WHAT KIND OF CHECKS WILL BE MADE?
the advert, for example if you have a disability,
learning difficulties or you are in hospital.
This could include references from a current or a previous landlord,
confirmation of who you are, who lives with you and who wants to move
Please phone or email the Wirralhomes Team or
home with you. Any previous or current rent arrears, property damage or
call in at any One Stop Shop if you need more
anti-social behaviour will also be taken into consideration. You may also
advice about the Wirralhomes scheme or help
be asked by the landlord to give your permission for checks to be made
to express interest in advertised properties.
with the Police or other relevant organisations. If you have been awarded
an Urgent Need status, checks will be made to ensure that your
circumstances have not changed.
WILL I BE CONTACTED IF I HAVE APPLIED FOR A VACANCY?
The landlord advertising the property will contact you only if you have
been successful and are being considered for a vacancy. Therefore it will
help greatly if you can supply a contact phone number.
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Suspension or limited application
IF I AM OFFERED THE VACANCY, WILL I BE ABLE TO VIEW IT
An applicant who has a history of serious anti-social behaviour and/or
BEFORE MAKING UP MY MIND?
breaches of tenancy may be suspended from registering with
Wirralhomes. This will suspend their access to accommodation owned by
Yes, you will be given an opportunity to view the property and if you like
the RSLs who are partners within the Wirralhomes scheme.
it, you will need to sign the tenancy agreement and a date will then be
set for you to start the tenancy. If you accept the offer, your registration
The decision to suspend an applicant from registering with Wirralhomes
on the Wirralhomes database will be cancelled. You will need to reapply if
is taken by the Wirralhomes team and is based on the individual
you wish to move again.
circumstances of an applicant. The following issues will be taken
into account:
• Anti-social behaviour or immoral or illegal activities
WHAT IF I REFUSE AN OFFER?
• Assault or threatening behaviour
• Damage to property owned by any RSL or Council
If you view the property and decide it is not for you, don’t worry. You will
• Rent arrears
be able to express interest in other properties in the future. However,
• Discriminatory behaviour
please let the landlord know as soon as possible if you are refusing a
property. If we note a number of refusals, we will review your application
In less serious cases an applicant may register
and may ask you about the refusals you have made.
with Wirralhomes but their application may be
limited by withholding an Urgent Need status or
restricting the registration date.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF A PROPERTY HAS BEEN LET?
For more information please contact the Wirralhomes team
Details of vacancies from previous weeks are contained on the
or download an information sheet from the website.
Wirralhomes website and are displayed at the Council One Stop Shops
and partner RSL offices. The information includes the registration date of
the successful applicant and whether they had an Urgent Need status.
You should use this information to help you decide which vacancies to
apply for. For example you can see the number of people interested in
properties in a certain area, or you can compare your date of registration
with those of successful applicants.
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Reviews and appeals
Special circumstances
Applicants have the right to request a review of how their application has
WHAT IF I AM HOMELESS?
been dealt with. Reviews usually look at 2 main areas of the application
process, which are:
You can register with Wirralhomes and apply for Wirralhomes properties
• Registration with Wirralhomes
if you are homeless. However, the Council has legal responsibilities
• The selection process for a particular property
towards certain groups of people who have nowhere to live or whose
current accommodation poses an immediate threat. If you need advice
about homelessness please telephone the Council’s Housing Advice and
HOW DO I REQUEST A REVIEW OF A
Homelessness Section on 0151 666 5511 or call into the Conway Centre,
WIRRALHOMES DECISION?
Conway Street, Birkenhead.
A request for a review must be made in writing
WHAT IF I NEED HELP APPLYING FOR PROPERTIES?
and will be considered in stages according to
the Wirralhomes policy. For more information
The Wirralhomes Team are here to help you. Phone the Wirralhomes
please contact the Wirralhomes Team or
Hotline on 0151 691 8040 and the staff will be happy to assist you.
download an information sheet from the
We can also arrange an interpreter if your first language is not English.
website.
Information can be provided in large print for those with sight difficulties
or you may simply need a few questions answering.
HOW DO I REQUEST A REVIEW OF A
SELECTION PROCESS DECISION?
WHAT IF I HAVE A DISABILITY AND NEED AN ADAPTED
PROPERTY?
All requests for a review which relate to any
issue about the selection process for a
You should ask for an assessment of Urgent Need status due to medical
particular property will be dealt with by the
grounds or disability. If an Urgent Need status is awarded and it has been
respective RSL. You should contact the
confirmed that you need to move to an adapted property, you will be
appropriate RSL directly and ask for your
registered on the Disabled Persons’ Housing Register. Normally, your
case to be considered through the RSL’s
occupational therapist and other support workers will be contacted.
complaints procedure.
You will be given advice and help to apply for adapted vacancies which
are included in the Wirralhomes advert. The aim of the Disabled Persons’
Housing Register is to make best use of the few adapted vacancies
which become available.
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Other languages/formats
Arabic
WHAT IF I LIVE OUTSIDE THE WIRRAL AREA?
Applicants living outside of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral may
Bengali
register with Wirralhomes and apply for advertised vacancies.
However, award of Urgent Need status will depend upon their personal
circumstances and local connections, for example the availability of
support in the Wirral area.
Chinese
WHAT OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Hindi
There are a limited number of vacancies in social housing and you
should also consider other options, for example private tenancy, hostel
accommodation, shared ownership schemes, or home ownership.
More information on these options is available in the local press or
Polish
from the Housing Advice Team at the Conway Centre.
Punjabi
Somali
Urdu
If you would like to receive this document in large text, braille,
or on tape, please contact Wirralhomes on 0151 691 8040.
660JUL07SK
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Wirralhomes
Department of Regeneration
Wallasey Town Hall
Brighton Street
Wallasey CH44 8ED
Telephone 0151 691 8040
Email: [email address]
702OCT08JC
Website: www.wirralhomes.net
