SCHEmE - Home Option · homeoption user guide • Page 3 Albanian Gaelic Italian Mandarin...

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Version 1001/06/12

Information and guidance on accessing and using the HomeOption Scheme

in Brentwood, Broxbourne, Chelmsford, East Herts, Epping Forest and Uttlesford.

SCHEmEUSER GUIdE

www.homeoption.org

• homeoption user guide

Welcome to homeoption

HomeOption gives more choice about where you want to live. In the past the Council or Housing Association would make an offer of accommodation when your turn had been reached in an area of your choice. Now you will have the chance to express an interest in a property which is suitable for your needs when it becomes available.

Most Homeseekers will not get the opportunity to rent accommodation with a Council or Housing Association. There are many more people looking for homes than there are vacancies. Therefore, you may need to consider alternative solutions to your housing difficulties. Here are some alternative housing options you may wish to consider.

Existing Council and Housing Association tenants who have registered to transfer to another home can use HomeOption to find one. Homeseekers can also use HomeOption to find a home. Every fortnight HomeOption produces a property list, which advertises the available Council and Housing Association homes within the six local authority areas.

Some housing providers are changing the tenancies they offer (the new tenancies are called ‘Affordable Rent Tenancies’). Homeseekers should check the adverts and the details of each property they are interested in carefully as some of the ‘terms and conditions’ (such as amount of rent and length of tenancy) could vary significantly between different properties and different providers.

You can look at the adverts and make an expression of interest for any properties you would like to be considered for. A summary of who can express an interest, and how to express an interest can be found in this Guide.

Councils and Housing Associations in the HomeOption scheme will generally only allocate empty properties to people who have made an expression of interest through HomeOption. HomeOption gives you more choice about where you want to live. It also gives you a better idea of what is available in your area. In each edition you can see how homes in the previous editions were let by turning to the feedback page. You can also see what level of priority the successful applicant had and how long they waited for a new home.

If you would like to find out more about how to use HomeOption to express an interest for a home you should contact your Council Housing Department. Contact details for Councils are available in this Guide, the HomeOption freesheet and also at www.homeoption.org

ContentsPAGE 2 Welcome to HomeOption

PAGE 3 Translations

PAGE 4 Landlords/Local Authorities

PAGES 5-7 How the HomeOption Scheme Works

PAGE 8-9 Distribution Points

PAGE 10 Understanding the Adverts

PAGE 11 Making your choice on the Internet

PAGE 12 Making your choice by Post

PAGE 13 Making your choice by Text Message

PAGES 14-15 Making your choice by Telephone

PAGE 16-17 Understanding the Feedback

PAGES 18-19 Alternative Housing Options

PAGE 20 HomeOption General Information

SCHEmEUSER GUIdE

homeoption user guide •

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HomeOption is committed to helping all those registered to access the scheme. If you would like assistance or have any specific requirements, please contact your Council Housing Department to

discuss this. Some of the measures available are:

Large Print • Braille • Translation into other languages • Audio translations • One-to-one help from staff


0300 555 0500Repairs Freephone: 0800 953 1447Minicom: 01245 613188Fax: 01245 613001

01279 655261

Housing DirectorateCivic Offices323 High Street, Epping Essex CM16 4BZ

01992 564107

Housing Options ServiceWallfields, Pegs Lane, Herts SG13 8EQEmail: [email protected]

Atholl House, 65a Duke StreetChelmsford, Essex CM1 1LWEmail: [email protected]

Borough of Broxbourne, Borough Offices,Bishops’ College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN8 9XSEmail: [email protected]

01992 785505

Town HallIngrave Road, Brentwood Essex CM15 8AYEmail: [email protected]

Landlords / Local Authorities Brentwood Borough Council

Broxbourne Borough Council

Customer Services Chelmsford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JEEmail: [email protected]

01245 606400

Council OfficesLondon RoadSaffron Walden, Essex CB11 4EREmail: [email protected]

01799 510510 Uttlesford District Council

Chelmsford Borough Council

East Herts Council

CHP

Epping Forest District Council

01277 312552 01277 312567


How the scheme worksUnder the HomeOption scheme, homeseekers must express an interest in a property in order to join a short-list by using the HomeOption website or other methods listed in this guide.

There are five steps for you to follow:

You are automatically a member of HomeOption if you are on the participating Council’s Housing Register as a homeseeker, or are an existing tenant of any of the participating Council’s and have registered for a transfer.

Step 1 – Membership

Step 2 – Registration

Once your Council has accepted you onto their housing register, HomeOption will write to you to give you a HomeOption Identification Number (HOIN) and will tell you your date of application, priority band, or how many points you have been awarded.

You must keep your Housing Department informed of any changes to your household, medical condition, housing situation or circumstances. This is very important as it could result in changing your priority or eligibility.

HomeOption is a scheme which currently includes six Local Authority areas as follows: Brentwood, Broxbourne, Chelmsford, East Herts, Epping Forest and Uttlesford.

Each of the Local Authority Areas have their own Housing Allocation Scheme which includes prioritising applicants by way of either a banding or points based scheme. Although each scheme must meet with certain rules, they do vary in some ways. Please refer to the individual Local Authority for their scheme (see Council addresses, telephone numbers and web address on page 4).


Step 3 – Choosing

Available properties are advertised on the website; go to www.homeoption.org You can also pick up a fortnightly property list advertising the properties available in your Council area from the distribution points listed on pages 8-9

The properties are usually advertised every other Friday, in Chelmsford it is weekly. Your expressions of interest must reach us by 1pm the following Wednesday.

Before you express an interest in a property: Please read the information on the property advert very carefully to ensure you are making the right choice. Expressing an interest inappropriately creates a longer waiting time for others.

Age restriction on the property Some properties have a minimum age requirement, for example, in some cases only people over 60 years of age can apply. Any restriction will be indicated by the icon in the property advert.

Retirement housing with support will usually only be available for applicants over 60 years of age. However there may be certain circumstances where younger applicants with support needs or mobility needs can be considered. If you are interested in retirement housing with support you will be visited by a Scheme Manager who will undertake an assessment of your needs.

Mobility sign: This is intended to provide a guide to people who have various levels of mobility needs. This does not restrict anyone else from expressing an interest for these properties but the advert will often say that priority will be given to applicants with mobility needs

Choice of area: You can only express an interest in areas where you have a live application on the district or borough register. If you wish to express an interest in a property in another district or borough you must be registered with them. You can join as many registers as you wish although your priority may vary.

Expression of Interest: You will be able to express an interest for a maximum of 3 properties in each cycle. You can make an expression of interest in the following four ways:

• On the web Go to www.homeoption.org and logon with your HOIN number and date of birth. (See page 11 for instructions on making your expressions of interest by internet).

• By postal coupon We send blank coupons direct to you with your registration pack. Each coupon will have your name and HOIN number printed on it. This is your individual number so do not give your coupons to anyone else. (See page12 for instructions on how to complete your coupon). You can request more coupons by going to the HomeOption website.

• By telephone Call 08707 270460 and follow the instructions. (See pages 14-15 for instructions on making your expressions of interest by telephone).

• By text Text 07781 472 726 (see page 13 for instructions on making your expressions of interest by text).

If you have questions about how the scheme applies to you or about expressing an interest for properties, there are fully trained housing staff available to support you in your Housing Department (see Council addresses and telephone numbers on page 4).


Step 4 – Offer

Step 5 – Feedback

HomeOption puts the expressions of interest received, for each property advertised, in priority order to produce a list of eligible applicants for each property.

The property is offered to the homeseeker who is top of the short-list by the landlord after making further eligibility checks. Following these checks if your name is still at the top of the ‘short list’, you will normally be invited to view the property. If you refuse this property, the next person on the priority list will be invited to view the property.

Some Councils will automatically penalise you for refusing properties you have chosen. Your Council/landlord will advise you if any action will be taken because you have refused a property.

Many landlords invite more than one applicant to view their properties at the same time, although the property is always offered first to the applicant with the highest priority who attends the viewing.

You may not be invited to view or be considered for a property if:

• You have any rent arrears or other debts to the Council, Housing Association or other landlord for current or former rent arrears, a recharge for damage to a property or an outstanding private rented deposit loan.

• You have a current Notice of Seeking Possession or Notice to Quit from your Council or Housing Association landlord.

• Your Council or Housing Association landlord is not satisfied with the conduct of your current tenancy such as management issues, anti-social behaviour or your property has not passed a home inspection.

• You are ineligible for an allocation via the Council’s allocation policy because you have sufficient financial resources to access housing to meet your needs.

• You have not supplied information requested by the Council to verify your application

If you are at the top of more than one list, the council will decide which property to offer you and the other properties will be offered elsewhere.

If you are offered a home you will not be short-listed for other properties until you make a decision whether to accept or refuse the offer.

If you receive an offer to view but you do not wish to or are unable to attend you must contact the landlord.

You do not need to contact your Council or Housing Association to find out if you have been successful. If you have come to the top of a shortlist, they will usually contact you within a week of the closing date. However, a lot of properties are advertised some time before they are ready for occupation. If a person who was top of the list refuses, the next person who was on the list may be invited to view some weeks after the closing date. These shortlists will show as “under offer” on the website.

Once properties have been let they are listed on the “Feedback” page on the website (see page 16-17 for an example of the feedback).

The feedback tells you how many people expressed an interest for each property, as well as the band/points and registration date of the successful applicant. This helps you to see how long the successful applicants had been waiting.

It is not possible to notify you individually when your expressions of interest have been unsuccessful.


Brentwood Borough Council

• Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood Essex CM15 8AY

Brentwood Library

• New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4BP

Broxbourne does not have any distribution points.

Copies of the Property List will be available from the following places

Chelmsford Borough Council• Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre, Duke

Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DH

Chelmer Housing Group• Atholl House, 65a Duke Street, Chelmsford,

Essex CM1 1LW

Community Information Centre• 34 Baron Road, South Woodham Ferrers,

Essex CM3 5XQ

Brentwood

Broxbourne

Chelmsford

Distribution Points

East Herts Council • Charringtons House, The Causeway,

Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EN

• Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ

Riversmead Housing Association• Riversmead House, 36 Ware Road,

Hertford, SG13 7HH

Bishop’s Stortford Library• 6 The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ

Buntingford Library• 77 High Street, Buntingford, SG9 9AE

Hertford Library• Dolphin Yard, Maidenhead Street

Hertford, SG14 1DR

Sawbridgeworth Library• The Forebury, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9BD

Ware Library• 87 High Street, Ware, SG12 9AD

Watton at Stone Post Office• 119F High Street, Watton at Stone,

Herts. SG14 3SB

East Herts


Epping Forest


• Information Desk, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ

• Area Housing Office (South) 63 The Broadway, Loughton, Essex IG10 3SP

• Limes Farm Housing Office, 661a Copperfield, Chigwell, Essex IG7 5LA

• Loughton Information Desk, Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton, Essex IG10 1HD

Town and Parish Council Offices

• Loughton Town Council 1 Buckingham Court, Rectory Lane, Loughton, Essex IG10 2QZ

• Waltham Abbey Town Council, Waltham Abbey Town Hall, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1DE

• Buckhurst Hill Parish Council Parish Offices, 62-64 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill Essex IG9 5BY

• North Weald Parish Council Queens Hall Community Centre, School Green Lane, North Weald, Essex CM16 6EJ

Uttlesford District Council

• Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER

• Tourist Information Centre, 1 Market Square, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1HR

• Dunmow Library, 47 White Hart Way, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1FS

• Community Information Centre, 7 Town Street, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 2LD

Post Offices

• High Street, Newport, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3QX

• PO Stores, The Heath, Hatfield Heath, Bishops Stortford, Herts. CM22 7EB

• M&M Supermarket, Stortford Road, Clavering, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4PE

• School Street, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1NN

• Lodges Garage, The Street, High Easter, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4QT

• 5 Crown Hill, Ashdon, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 2HA

• 1 Ambrose Corner, Robin Hood Road, Elsenham, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 6EH

• Dunmow Road, Takeley, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 6SH

Shops

• The Country Shop, Dunmow Road, Leaden Roding, Dunmow CM6 1QB

• Hatfield Broad Oak Stores, I High Street, Hatfield Broad Oak, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LS

Petrol Stations

• Total Stansted, 1 Cambridge Road, Stansted, Essex CM24 8BX

Uttlesford


The AdvertsKey to advert symbols

Available for homeseekers only

Available for transferring tenants only

Available for homeseekers and transferring tenants

This shows the property has a lift

This shows the property has no lift

Number of bedrooms and property type

Sheltered housing (Defined by white background), you must have been assessed for sheltered housing

Property designed for people this age or above

Minimum and maximum number of people who can live in property

Floor level of property, if flat or maisonette

Number of bedrooms in the property

Mobility Group 1 - Suitable for wheelchair user indoors and outdoors (defined by symbol and white bar)

Mobility Group 2 - Suitable for people who cannot manage steps or stairs and may use a wheelchair some of the day (defined by symbol and white bar)

Mobility Group 3 - Suitable for people only able to manage 1 or 2 steps or stairs (defined by symbol and white bar)

Expressions of InterestMaking your choice on the Internet

Our websitewww.homeoption.org

The quickest and easiest way to express an interest is through our website www.homeoption.org

Instructions are given on screen but you will need to know your unique HomeOption Identification Number (HOIN) and date of birth in order to log on.

On the website there is an online copy of the property list and as soon as you identify a property you can place an expression of interest. If you have made an expression of interest but then change your mind you can remove it (as long as the property cycle is still open). You can also view your choice history once you have logged on.



• Your coupon has your name and your HomeOption Identification Number (HOIN) printed on it - please check that these details are correct.

• You can express an interest for up to three properties in each edition of the property list.

• Each property will have a 3 digit reference number, shown in the property advert in the property list.

• For example if you want to apply for the properties which have the reference number 456, 444, and 491, you should mark the coupon as shown in the example copy. You should put an X in the first column against the relevant first digit of the reference number.

• You should put an X in the second column against the relevant second digit of the reference number.

• You should put an X in the third column against the relevant third digit of the reference number.

• Your coupon will only be processed if returned by post directly to HomeOption. The address is already on the coupon, but you will need to put a stamp on it. Remember to post in time for the deadline.

• If you need more coupons sent to you, please tick the ‘more coupons box’.

Making your choice by Post

Making your choice by Text Message

Action Example

To begin making your choice:

1 Open a new text message

2 Enter in your HomeOption Identification Number BBC12345 (HOIN) via the keys:

3 Then followed immediately by a hash mark: BBC12345#

4 You should now enter the advert reference number of your 1st choice followed immediately by a hash mark: BBC12345#456#

If you have finished choosing then send. If not keep following the instructions below.

5 You should now enter the advert reference number of your 2nd choice followed immediately by a hash mark: BBC12345#456#491#

If you have finished choosing then send. If not keep following the instructions below.

6 You should now enter the advert reference number of your 3rd choice followed immediately by a hash mark: BBC12345#456#491#444#

7 When you have entered all of your choices 07781 472726 send your Text message to:

• Most mobile phone companies charge SMS text messages at around 10p per text.

• You can enter your expressions of interest in both upper and lower case.

• Check your HOIN and advert reference numbers are correct before sending.

• Please note that you will not receive a text message to confirm the choices you have made.



Making your choice by Telephone

1 To begin making your choices please dial: 08707 270460

2 You will hear: “Welcome to the HomeOption Property Line. If you are registered with:

3 You will then hear: “Thank you. You are now through to Brentwood/ Broxbourne/Chelmsford/East Herts/Epping Forest (or) Uttlesford. Please enter the number section of your HomeOption Identification Number.”

4 You should now enter the numerical “Thank you. Please enter the day number of part of your HomeOption Identification your birth date.” e.g. For 16/04/60 enter 16 or Number only (HOIN) Eg. If your for 08/01/58 enter 08 (you must put a 0 before a HOIN is BBC54321 you only need single number) to type in ‘54321’. Once you have entered the correct number you will hear:

5 You should now enter the day number “Thank you. Please enter the property reference of your Date of Birth. Once you have number for your first bid.” entered the correct number you will hear:

6 Once you have entered the 3 digit Advert “Thank you. If you would like to add an additional Reference number correctly you bid press 1, or press the star key to complete will hear: your bidding.”

7 If you have pressed one you will hear: Please enter the property reference number for your second bid, or press the star key to complete your bidding.”

8 Once you have entered the second Advert “Thank you. If you would like to add an additional Reference number correctly you will hear: bid press 1, or press the star key to complete your bidding.”

Brentwood Borough Council Press 1Uttlesford District Council Press 2Epping Forest District Council Press 3East Herts Council Press 4 Chelmsford Borough Council Press 5Broxbourne Borough Council Press 6CHP Press 7

Making your choice by Telephone Cont.

9 If you have pressed one you will hear: Please enter the property reference number for your third bid, or press the star key to complete your bidding.”

10 When you have finished entering choices “Thank you for calling the HomeOption property line.” you will hear:

If you have made errors you will hear instructions as follows:

11 If you have made an error with your “I am sorry, the HomeOption Identification Number HomeOption Identification Number you have entered is not found. Please try again.” (HOIN) you will hear:

12 If you have made a further error with “I am sorry, the HomeOption Identification Number your HomeOption Identification you have entered is not found. Please check with Number (HOIN) you will hear: your Council.”

13 If you have made an error with the day “I am sorry the day of birth you have entered does number of your date of birth, not match the day of birth specified for your you will hear: reference number. Please re-enter using your telephone now.”

14 If you have made a further error with “I am sorry, the day of birth you have entered the day number of your date of birth, is still not correct please check with your Council.” you will hear:

15 If you have placed an ineligible bid “I am sorry you are not eligible to bid on that you will hear: property. Please re-enter another property or press the star key to complete your bidding.”



Understanding the Feedback Reports

FeedbackIn each edition of the property list there will be a Feedback page.

The feedback contains information on lettings that have taken place since the previous edition. The feedback is colour-coded in the same way as the adverts appearing in the freesheet.

Property list Issue Date This is the publication date of the property list that the advert appeared in.

Advert Reference Combined with the property list issue date, this gives a unique identity to any advert appearing in the property list and is used for making expressions of interest.

Size and Property Type This is simply a description of the property advertised.

Location This gives an indication of where the property is situated.

Expressions of Interest This is the total number of expressions of interest that were made against the adverts at the close of the cycle.

Letting Information This is the status of the successful applicant who accepted the property.

Example of HomeOption FeedbackProperty listIssue Date

AdvertReference

Size PropertyType

Location Expressionsof Interest Points/

BandsBand in Date

List(Applicant)

Letting Information

Brentwood Council

30 Dec 2011 216 2 bed flat Tower Court, Tower Hill 67 320 13 Apr 2011 Homeseeker

16 Dec 2011 134 1 bed flat Broad Meadow, Kelvedon Hatch 57 135 05 Mar 2008 Homeseeker

16 Dec 2011 140 1 bed flat Whittington Road, Hutton 50 145 08 Aug 2008 Homeseeker

16 Dec 2011 142 2 bed house Fielding Way, Hutton 15 90 01 May 2007 Transfer

16 Dec 2011 141 2 bed maisonette Elizabeth House, Albany Road 62 195 18 Aug 2011 Homeseeker

CHP

27 Jan 2012 420 2 bed Flat Rutland Road, Woodhall, CM1 4BH 150 B3 18 May 2010 Transfer

27 Jan 2012 421 2 bed House The Green, North West Chelmsford, CM1 2BQ 284 B2 08 Nov 2011 Transfer

02 Dec 2011 116 2 bed Bungalow Israels Bungalows, Grest Waltham, CM3 1EQ 170 B3 19 Aug 2010 Transfer

18 Nov 2011 29 3 bed House Springfield Park Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6EE 143 B3 20 May 2009 Transfer

04 Nov 2011 941 2 bed Flat St Michaels Drive, Roxwell, CM1 4NX 195 B4 25 nOV 2009 Transfer

Broxbourne Council

01-Mar-08 001 3 bed House Rowan Drive, The Springs 110 559 17/02/06 Transfer

01-Mar-08 002 1 bed Flat Marquis Court, Hoddesdon Rye Park 120 546 21/03/05 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 003 2 bed Maisonette Fishers Close, Holdbrook 99 649 22/09/06 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 004 1 bed Flat Valence Drive, Cheshunt 70 532 29/11/06 Transfer

Chelmsford Borough Council

24 Feb 2012 616 3 bed house West Avenue, North West Chelmsford, CM1 2DE 24 B2 23 Nov 2011 Homeseeker

27 Jan 2012 374 1 bed flat The Withywindle, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 7BB 145 B2 26 Oct 2011 Homeseeker

13 Jan 2012 329 1 bed flat Pembroke Place, Woodhall, CM1 4AT 180 B2 19 Jul 2010 Homeseeker

27 Jan 2012 424 1 bed bungalow Brook Hill, Little Waltham, CM3 3LL 49 B1 09 Dec 2011 Homeseeker

East Herts Council

01-Mar-08 001 1 bed Flat Dixon Place, Buntingford 22 23 18/05/07 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 002 2 bed House Benhooks Place, Bishop’s Stortford 145 120 04/01/07 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 003 4 bed House Longwood Road, Hertford 15 109 01/05/05 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 004 2 bed House Wheatsheaf Road, Hunsdon 97 125 15/08/07 Homeseeker

Uttlesford District Council

16 Dec 2011 300 2 bed house Felstead Crescent, Stansted 48 B 28 Dec 2010 Homeseeker

27 Jan 2012 301 2 bed flat Waldgrooms, Great Dunmow 15 B 04 Nov 2011 Homeseeker

10 Feb 2012 302 1 bed flat Holloway Crescent, Leaden Roding 18 C 25 Jan 2011 Homeseeker

10 Feb 2012 304 2 bed bungalow Weaverhead Close, Thaxted 19 A 22 Dec 2011 Transfer


01-Mar-08 007 2 bed Flat Roger Stone Court, Coombe Rd, Loughton 283 1 25-May-07 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 008 2 bed Flat Copland Road, Wembley, Essex 222 1 20-Jun-07 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 009 2 bed Flat Harlesden Gardens, Essex 64 1 17-Jul-02 Transfer

01-Mar-08 010 1 bed Flat Albert Road, Essex 307 2 06-Sep-06 Homeseeker

01-Mar-08 011 1 bed Flat Landau House, Chatsworth Road, Essex 250 2 19-Jul-06 Homeseeker



Alternative Ho using OptionsHomeOption is a different way of allocating homes owned by the Council and Housing Associations. It will not provide more homes but it will allow you to see the vacancies that arise in the six partner authority areas.

Most Homeseekers will not get the opportunity to rent accommodation with a Council or Housing Association. There are many more people looking for homes than there are vacancies. Therefore, you may need to consider alternative solutions to your housing difficulties. Here are some alternative housing options you may wish to consider.

Private Rented Accommodation

Private rented accommodation can include lodgings, renting your own flat or house or shared accommodation. Your landlord will be a private individual or company. Living in private rented accommodation you will either be a tenant or a licensee.

Private renting offers you the freedom to find the type of accommodation you require in the area you wish to live. You may be eligible for help with the rent payments through Housing Benefit, contact your Local Authority for more details.

If you decide to go ahead, you will need to get money together for a deposit and usually one month’s rent in advance.

Contact your own Local Authority for further advice and to see if they operate either a Rent Deposit or Rental Loan Scheme.

Mutual Exchange

Tenants of Councils and Housing Associations may be able to swap their home if they are secure or assured tenants. This is called a mutual exchange. In mutual exchange, two or more tenants exchange their homes and take on the terms of each other’s tenancy.

If you are a tenant of a Council or Housing Association please contact your landlord for further details.

New Build HomeBuyNew Build HomeBuy is a part-buy/part-rent scheme offering you the opportunity to buy what you can afford now.

Homes are sold as leasehold properties on shared ownership terms. They can be flats or houses; newly built or occasionally newly refurbished.

You can purchase as little as 25% and up to a usual maximum of 75%. You will need to be able raise a mortgage for the share you want to purchase, and you will pay a subsidised rent on the share you don’t own. You can buy additional shares at a later date. This is known as ‘staircasing’.

When you want to sell the property you can sell the share you own through your housing association allowing further households to benefit from low-cost home ownership. The property is resold at market value and you will benefit from any equity which has built up on the share that you own.

Rent To HomeBuyThis option offers new build homes to rent for a pre-defined period of time with the expectation that you will buy a share of the property at the end of the rental period.

Homes are available through a range of housing associations on assured shorthold tenancies with an affordable rent of 80% (or less) of market rents. The rent is payable for a pre-defined and limited period, after which time there is an expectation that you will purchase the property on the terms of New Build HomeBuy. The rental period provides you with the opportunity to save for a deposit towards buying a share in the home, enabling you to access mortgage availability.

Some housing associations offer variations of Rent to HomeBuy. Some of these schemes are marketed with different names, for example “Try Before You Buy” or “Rent Save Buy”, etc.

HomeBuy Direct This option offers equity loans towards the purchase of a new build home on selected developments.

You buy a minimum of 70% of the market value of a property. An equity loan of up to 30% is provided to assist your purchase. There are no payments on the loan for the first five years. After five years there is a fee of 1.75%, which increases annually in line with inflation. You will need to raise a mortgage to purchase through this scheme. You can also use any savings you may have to contribute as a deposit towards your share.

You can buy additional shares at a later date until you own 100%. This is calculated on the current market value at the time that you purchase the additional shares.

If you wish to sell your property, the equity loan is repaid as a percentage.

Other Options:HOLDHOLD is a specially tailored option to assist people with long-term disabilities to purchase a share in a property. It is offered by a small number of housing associations, with limited availability.

New Build Discounted RentAlso known as intermediate rent, this option offers new build homes to rent at 80% (or less) of typical market rents.

Homes are available through a range of housing associations on an assured shorthold tenancy, usually for an initial period of six months. This is reviewed regularly.

Many housing associations that let properties through this scheme also offer an option to buy a share in the property on a New Build HomeBuy basis at a later date. Some housing associations may ask you to agree to purchase the property after a pre-defined rental period. This is called Rent to HomeBuy.


Alternative Ho using OptionsShared OwnershipHomeBuy is a government backed affordable shared ownership scheme.HomeBuy Products include:

Information

Deadline for Expressions of InterestAll expressions of interest placed by any method must reach the HomeOption office by 1.00pm on the closing date shown on the front of each HomeOption property list. Expressions of interest received after this time will not be eligible.

Methods of Expressing an Interest Include:

Internet - www.homeoption.org

You can express an interest in a property on the HomeOption website at the above address as shown in this scheme user guide. Please ensure you enter your registration number correctly.

By Telephone - 08707 270460

To make your expressions of interest by telephone, use the above number and follow the instructions given on the tape recorded message or as shown in this Scheme User Guide.

By Text - 07781 472726

To make your expressions of interest by text (SMS), follow the instructions shown in this Scheme User Guide.

By Postal Coupon

You can complete and post coupons to the address set out in this Scheme User Guide.

Do You Need Help Expressing an Interest in a Property?

Please contact the landlord or local authority with whom you are registered who will be able to help and advise you on how you can express an interest in a property.

Subscriptions

If you are unable to access the property list on the internet or by picking it up at one of the distribution points for your Local Authority, you may be able to have it sent to you directly on payment of a small fee. Please contact the Local Authority with whom you are registered to get details of whether this is possible and what charge they will make.

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