The way we let our
homes is changing
Frequently
Asked
Questions
your choice,
your move!
www.newcharter.co.uk
facebook.com/newcharterhomes
@newchartergroup
Our new policy
Our new system for both general applicants (if you
aren’t already on our waiting list or a New Charter
tenant) and current New Charter tenants wanting to
transfer, will be a three stage process:
1
First check you are eligible to join our
allocations scheme
2
Complete our application form and we will
assess the right size home and place you in
an Application Band according to your
housing needs
3
Start bidding once you receive your New
Charter reference number and we will offer
a suitable home based on your waiting time
in that Band
Applicants will be placed in Bands according to their
circumstances. Priority within Bands will be based on
the date people entered that Band.
For some of our available homes we will also offer
additional preference to people who can
demonstrate a “Community Contribution”. These
will be clearly marked on our property adverts.
We will give people information on other housing
options if they aren’t eligible to join our waiting list.
Here is a summary of Bands for general
applicants:
Band
Housing Need
Gold
Overcrowded by 2 or more bedrooms
Former armed services personnel
Silver
Fitness and mental health need
Overcrowded by 1 bedroom
Private tenants or residents in unsuitable or
insecure accommodation (includes
residents in temporary / supported
housing)
Lodging with family, friends or private
arrangements
Bronze Tenants of another Registered Provider
(RP) needing to move for caring
arrangements (in receipt of carers
allowance)
People in tied accommodation
Under occupying tenant of social housing
belonging to another R P.
The main change for New Charter tenants is that the
new allocations scheme will provide a separate
priority list to general applicants and a simpler
application process if you need to move home within
New Charter. You can find out more about the
criteria for each band on our website.
Here is a summary of Bands for current tenants
who want to transfer:
Band Housing Need
1
2
3
Tenants affected by the bedroom tax and
those releasing substantially adapted homes
Overcrowding/ under-occupation by 2 beds
Fitness and mental health need
Overcrowding/ under-occupation by 1 bed
Children under 11 in high rise flats
Need to move for employment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Community Contribution”?
We know that the way we let our homes has the
potential to influence our neighbourhoods and we are
keen to support those who work, formally volunteer
etc. We will award additional preference for some of
our available homes to applicants who are eligible for
our Community Contribution criteria. Applicants in
receipt of carers’ allowance, foster carers, those in
work based training and some current and former
members of H.M. Forces may also qualify for
Community Contribution.
How can I check if I am eligible to join
New Charter’s waiting list?
If you are already registered with us as a general
applicant or a transferring tenant and are actively
taking part in our CBL system we will write to you
letting you know if you are eligible to remain on our
waiting list. We may need some further information
to help us decide which Band you will be placed in.
If you are registered with us but haven’t placed any
bids for 12 months or more, we will assume you
don’t need a home at this time and so won’t transfer
your application to our new list. You are welcome to
re-apply at a future date if you are eligible to do so.
I’m not already registered with New
Charter so how do I apply?
You can find out if you are eligible to apply to New
Charter by checking our website, calling into one of
our Hubs or telephoning our Connect Team on
0161 331 2000. You will need to answer a few simple
questions to get an immediate answer on whether
you are eligible or not. If you aren’t eligible we will
give you alternative options for housing which you
might like to consider.
If you are eligible you will be asked to complete the
application form on our website.
What do I do if I don’t have a computer
or can’t access the website?
You are welcome to call into one of our Hubs (please
see the back of this leaflet for the addresses) where
staff will be able to help you check if you are eligible
to join our waiting list. They can also help you
complete an application.
Why can’t I have a paper application
form?
Paper application forms are very expensive to
produce and a lot are wasted when changes are
made. All applicants can visit one of our Hubs where
staff will help to complete applications on our
website, if you don’t have access to the internet
elsewhere.
If you or someone you know is unable to visit our
Hubs, we can check if you are eligible over the
telephone and arrange a home visit to complete an
application form with you.
Please call 0161 331 2000 to make an eligibility check
and book a home visit.
What can I do if I want a bigger home
than you say I need?
If you feel you would like a bigger home than we
assess you need, then you may be able to look for a
suitable private rented home that suits you, or
another Registered Provider may allow you to apply
and under-occupy. We will only provide larger homes
in exceptional circumstances, such as a need to adapt
a property that requires extra space.
How do the Bands work and which Band
will I be put in?
We have made our system easier to understand by
having 3 clear Bands for our general applicants,
named Gold, Silver and Bronze.
We have a separate Band system for our New
Charter tenants named One, Two and Three.
You will be placed in a Band depending on the
information you provide to us on your
application form.
Do I still have to bid?
We are not changing the way our CBL system works.
The only difference you will see is that properties will
show a preference to different groups e.g. General
Scheme bids with preference to Community
Contribution or Bids for Sheltered or 55+
properties.
You can bid by calling our Connect Team on 0161 331
2000 or on our website.
What happens if I don’t bid?
If you are registered with us but don’t bid in a 12
month period we won’t automatically renew your
application and you will have to re-apply at a time
when you will be wanting to bid.
What happens if I bid on a property and
then change my mind?
Please think carefully before you place a bid. If you
have placed a bid, but then decide that the property
is not suitable, you may withdraw your bid whilst the
advert is still active. After the advert has closed, you
may contact us and ask that your bid is overlooked
for this property. It is important that you do let us
know, as refusing a reasonable offer will result in
penalties being applied to your application.
You can find out more about this below.
What happens if I refuse an offer?
Due to the growing number of customers refusing
properties they have bid on, please make sure that
the property meets your needs before placing your
bid. We have had to take the decision to suspend
applicants from their 1st unreasonable refusal.
The following will apply:
•1st refusal, suspended for 3 months
•2nd refusal, suspended for 6 months
•3rd refusal, application cancelled. No new
application for a minimum of 12 months
Please see our handy postcard ‘Bidding on
New Charter Properties’, available on our website,
for our rules and some helpful advice.
Will people who don’t fit the new rules
be able to stay on the list?
No. Customers will only be considered if they meet
our criteria and have a realistic chance of being
offered a tenancy.
People who are actively taking part in the current
scheme will be contacted and advised whether they
are eligible to join the new scheme. If not eligible,
they will be given other housing options they may
want to consider.
I’m already registered and have been for
some time. What will happen?
If your application qualifies to be included in the new
scheme, we will be in touch with you to gather more
information to make sure your needs are assessed
correctly.
The new scheme is based on the date you are placed
in a Band. For applications transferring from the
previous scheme, this will be their original registration
date. However, if you move Bands, the date that you
enter the new Band will be used.
What about my medical points?
We will no longer be operating a medical points
scheme. The Band you are placed in with reflect any
points you already have.
I don’t want to move at the moment, can
I stay registered “just in case”?
No. The new scheme is just for people who are
actively seeking a New Charter home.
You are welcome to re-apply when you are ready
to move.
When do I need to provide evidence/
supporting documents?
What if I don’t have a Community
Contribution, can I still be offered a New
Charter home?
Yes, as Community Contribution preference will only
be offered on some of our homes.
However we would like you to consider looking at
what you can do to be eligible for Community
Contribution as it will mean you will get extra priority
on homes advertised with this preference.
Where can I get more information?
More details will be available in our Hubs, on our
Looking Local pages (available through Sky Channel
539 and Virgin Channel 233), through our
Facebook and Twitter pages, on our website
www.newcharter.co.uk and also in the
Tameside Reporter.
www.newcharter.co.uk
facebook.com/newcharterhomes
@newchartergroup
As soon as possible after you apply.
New Charter Hubs
We will not make any offers of homes, even if you are
top of the list, whilst there is outstanding information
that you have been asked to provide. It is your
responsibility to provide this.
Ashton: 2, Henrietta Street, Ashton, OL6 6EF
How do I prove I have Community
Contribution?
Stalybridge: 63/65, Grosvenor Street,
Stalybridge, SK15 2JN
Denton: 9, Albert Street, Denton, M34 6ZA
Hyde: 12/14, Clarendon Street, Hyde, SK14 2EL
You will need to provide one or more of the
following:
•Proof of volunteering 25 hours+ per month
•Proof of working 16 hours+ per week
•In receipt of carer’s allowance
•Proof of work based training
•Proof of fostering
•H.M.Forces discharge paperwork
Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111