Help in Finding a Home to Rent or Buy
with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
How Does Key Choices Work?
Keychoices Letting Scheme enables you to move to an area of
your choice. The scheme offers a range of housing options to
rent or buy from a variety of housing providers.
Rotherham MBC, Housing Associations
and Private Landlords who are part of the
Rotherham Quality Landlord Scheme all
advertise properties that are available for
letting, every Wednesday from 10.30am
until the following Tuesday at 4pm.
You can view advertisements at various
locations:
l
On the internet at www.keychoices.co.uk
l
At any 2010 Rotherham Limited
Neighbourhood office
l
At
l
In
the Keychoices Property Shop 20-21 Old Town Hall, situated 200 metres
from Rotherham Bus Station
the Rotherham Advertiser published every
Friday
At the end of the advertising period on Tuesday at 4.00pm, all property
requests will be put in date order. If there is more than one request in the
same group, the applicant with the earliest dated application will be selected.
If your request is successful, a 2010 Neighbourhood Champion will contact
you to check the details on your application before making a formal offer.
Who Can Apply?
Rotherham MBC is committed to providing all
members of the community equal access to all of
its services.
We will accept applications from anyone aged
16 years or over. However, by law, some people
subject to immigration control do not qualify for
public sector housing.
How do I Apply?
All customers seeking accommodation through the Keychoices Letting
Scheme MUST register an application.
There are several ways to obtain a Housing Register application form:
At any 2010 Rotherham Limited Neighbourhood office or RMBC Customer
Service Centre
At the Keychoices Property Shop
By post to your home address
By using the electronic registration form at www.keychoices.co.uk
Once your details have been entered onto our computer system we will
notify you by letter or email of your application number, registration date
and category of application
Registration Date
The length of time your application is registered is very important. If more
than one person requests an advertised home from the same category, the
property will be offered to the person who has the earliest
dated application.
Your application date will be the date your application is received or the
date you are awarded Priority or General Plus status.
(This date replaces your previous general date)
How Do I Request a Property?
You can make a maximum of three requests for properties in any
one week but you should only make a request if you meet the
requirements of the property advert. You cannot make a request for
any properties if you do not have an application registered with Rotherham
MBC.
If you see a property you like and
you meet the specific requirements
for that property, you may make a
request.
Each time you make a request you
will need your housing application
reference number. You can register
requests in several ways:
By telephone to Rotherham Connect on 01709 336005 or to
The Housing Options Team on 01709 336565 or at any
Neighbourhood Office.
l
In
l
By
l
Via an on-line request form at www.keychoices.co.uk
l
By
l
By
l
person at the the Keychoices Property Shop or at any
Neighbourhood Office.
text message. Text the word APP followed by your application
number then the word REF followed by the property reference number
to: 07781 485110. Text messages will be charged at your normal
operators tariff. For example; APP 12345 REF 406700
email to keychoices@rotherham.gov.uk
post to Keychoices Property Shop 20-21 Old Town Hall,
Howard Street, Rotherham, S60 1QX
How will properties be offered?
To ensure we help customers with the greatest housing need, the Allocation
Policy includes four categories:
l
l
Priority Plus
Priority
l
l
General Plus
General
As a general guide, the following quota for advertising will be used: 50% to
the Priority Group, 40% to the General Plus Group and 10% to the General
Group.
The Priority Plus group will contain applicants who need to move in
exceptional or urgent circumstances. ALL vacant properties will initially be
offered to this group, ahead of the other three groups. If there is no one
in the Priority Plus Group, or they do not request a property, this will not
apply.
Assessment for Medical Priority
The Housing Assessment Team assess customers who require urgent
re-housing due to health considerations.
l Y
ou
will need to be registered and complete a self-assessment form
before you can be considered for an assessment
l T
he
assessment will be carried out in your
own home wherever possible
l A
ll
relevant supporting information will be
used to complete the assessment and make
recommendations about which housing will
best meet your need
l I f
your are awarded a medical priority you will be encouraged to register
expressions of interest in properties that suit your needs.
l I f
you live out of the Rotherham Borough and wish to move into the
Rotherham area to receive support, your case will be assessed for Medical
Priority. However, this assessment will be subject to the provision of all
appropriate information which must be supplied by you.
Medical Assessment (Continued)
Example of key information:
Occupational Therapy reports
Social Care assessment
G.P./Consultant support letters
Risk Assessments
l
ot everyone who applies for Medical Priority will receive a home
N
assessment. Where comprehensive information is available to make a
recommendation then home visits will not be carried out. In some cases,
assessments could be carried out at your carers/family home in the
Rotherham area
l
If you are moving into the Borough you should ensure that your care
needs will be met by Adult Social Services before you accept a tenancy
Adapted Properties
Where a property has adaptations the advert will state that the property
will be offered to the household who has been assessed as needing the
adaptation to maintain independent living. The following are defined as an
adaptation:
l
A Level Access (Walk-In) Shower
l
A thermostatic shower over the bath – (showers without this facility
are not classed as an adaptation)
l
Stair or through Floor Lift
l
A property that has been previously adapted including extensions,
or a designated “disabled persons unit” (DPU).
The following households are included in
the Priority Plus Group:
Consideration for Priority Plus status will be dealt with by
Housing Assessment Panel. Applicants in this group are
entitled to one successful offer.
l Currently
in hospital, ready for discharge but unable to return to
their home
l Have
undergone a Multi Agency Risk assessment
l Having
to leave their home due to an emergency such as a flood
or fire.
l A
pplicants
with 2 priorities such as individuals who are homeless and
have a health problem.
l Individual
cases considered by the Housing Assessment or Risk
Management panel where there are issues regarding Safeguarding Adults
or Children that require immediate re-housing, this would include urgent
moves associated with anti-social behaviour.
l
l
People living in regeneration areas where there is less than 25% of the
housing remaining occupied.
Households that have
been actively bidding
and have been
assessed as statutory
homeless or who are
living in temporary
accomodation for
more than six months.
The following households are included in
the Priority Group:
l H
ouseholds
who have been assessed as statutory homeless by the
Housing Solution team.
l H
ouseholds
whose homes are subject to demolition or Prohibition
orders. This includes those households whose property has been
approved for demolition/clearance and where major works are required
to make a property habitable - where this requires an immediate
response this would have to go to Priority Plus.
l H
ouseholds
who have been assessed as having a medical need and who
need to move because their home is unsuitable.
l V
ictims
of domestic violence who are supported by the Rotherham
Women’s refuge or the Police.
l H
ouseholds
that have been assessed as statutory overcrowded by
Environmental Health.
l H
ouseholds
who are ready to live independently who are currently living
in temporary supported accommodation.
l I ndividuals
over the age of 55 years who have been assessed as requiring
Sheltered or Extra Care Housing.
l I ndividuals
engaging and receiving a drug treatment programme and who
have been assessed by the Drug Strategy team and RMBC as having
urgent housing need. Verification checks will take place to ensure that
individuals are still engaging with drug or alcohol services before an offer
of accommodation is made.
l I ndividuals
who are referred by the Local Offender Management Panel
(LOMP) and who are engaging with support agencies on their release
and prior to an offer being made.
l Those
occupying a family house (i.e. a 2, 3 or 4 bedroom house) who
wish to “downsize” and move to a ground floor flat or bungalow.
The following households are included in
the General Plus Group:
l H
ouseholds
who have approached the Housing Solutions team and have
been assessed as homeless but who are not in priority need.
l H
ouseholds
who have approached the Housing Solutions team and in
order to prevent their homelessness have found a property in the private
rented sector.
l P
rivate
tenants with a lack of amenities, such as no running water or
inside toilet.
l F
amilies
who cannot live together because the property is not
large enough.
l
People living in mobile caravans or
boats on a permanent site with no
static amenities – this doesn’t include
illegal encampments.
l H
ouseholds
that are classed as locally
overcrowded, as defined by the
Allocation Policy.
l H
ouseholds
renting unsuitable Council
accommodation for children. This
includes an upper floor flat or bedsit at
all floor levels.
l H
ouseholds
who have been assessed
by the Assessment Team as having a
non urgent medical need or having an
urgent medical need but with no local
connection to Rotherham.
The following households are included in the
General Group:
l A
pplicants
who are living with family or friends on a permanent basis. This
includes siblings wanting to apply as safeguard for future re-housing.
l A
pplicants
living outside of the Borough, unless they have an assessed
medical need, a local connection and can evidence that care and support
will be provided – these applicants will be in the Priority group.
l A
pplicants
whose relationship has broken down.
l C
ouncil
tenants who are adequately housed but who wish to transfer.
l O
wner
occupiers or households living in static caravans with all services.
l H
ouseholds
l H
ouseholds
renting from a private landlord.
tied to a tenancy within their employment and individuals in
HM Armed Forces. However, on discharge or termination of employment,
Housing Assessment panel will consider their application for one of the
preference groups.
10
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, you need to inform us as soon as possible as
some changes may effect which group you are in. You can tell us about any
changes by filling in an on line Change of Circumstances form at
www.keychoices.co.uk. You can also pick up a form from any 2010
Rotherham Limited Neighbourhood office. Alternatively, call in or telephone
the Keychoices Property Shop and after answering a series of security
questions, your details will be updated immediately.
Depending on how or why your circumstances change, you may be placed
in a different group. For example, if you have been awarded a priority on
medical grounds and subsequently become homeless, you will be placed in
the Priority Plus Group.
If you are in the General group and your circumstances change, you may be
placed in the General Plus Group or vice versa.
All applicants will initially be assessed on the information provided on their
application form. These details will be verified prior to any offer of Council or
Housing Association accommodation being made.
If an offer of Council or Housing Association accommodation is accepted,
your application WILL be cancelled. This does not apply to an offer being
accepted from a private landlord.
11
Local Lettings Policy
Some properties in certain areas may be subject to ‘Local Letting Policies’
where restrictions may apply. The ‘Local letting policies’ are published on the
Keychoices web site, and are also available at 2010 Neighbourhood Offices
and Keychoices Property Shop.
Certain streets or blocks of flats may have experienced management
problems in the past. Where there is a published local lettings policy, or
where the previous tenant caused severe neighbourhood nuisance - applicants
will be excluded if they have:
l A
ny
convictions of anti-social behaviour in the last twelve
Every
months.
week
Application
Checked
2008
Tues?4pm
l
4 a police record
about
Have
of anti-social behaviour,
recent
lettings was in the last twelve months.
where the offence
information
l H
ave
been prosecuted in the last twelve months for
an offence where illegal drug use played a part in the
conviction.
2008
Tues?4pm
Application
Checked
4
Every
l H
ave
week
a drug/alchohol dependancy and are not in a
treatment program.
information
about
recent
lettings
l H
ave
signed an Anti-social Behaviour Contract (ABC)
in the last twelve months
Application
Checked
4
12
Every
week
information
about
recent
lettings
Some properties where the former tenant was an older
person and the neighbouring residents are older people, will
be advertised with age restrictions. In this instance preferance
will be given to persons on a decreasing age range ie. over 60
then over 50 etc.
Lettings Results
If you have not been contacted within 10 days of the close of the
advertising period you should assume that on this occasion your
request has been unsuccessful.
We will publish letting results on
a weekly basis in each area office,
Keychoices Property Shop and
on our web site www.keychoices.
co.uk. The results will show how
many requests were made for a
particular property and the date of
the successful application.
These results are published to help
you make a more informed choice
of where your requests are likely
to be successful.
Direct Homes
If a property is advertised and does not receive any requests in that week,
or a short list of applicants is exhausted it will be re-advertised each day as a
‘Direct Home’. Properties advertised in this way will be allocated daily.
13
What are my other housing options?
Mutual Exchange
Keychoices Mutual Exchange Scheme allows Social Housing Tenants to
exchange properties with each including Housing Association tenants. This
system is available to tenants nationwide and not just to those living within
Rotherham Borough. To advertise your interest to move to an alternative
property you must register your details.
By registering, you will also be giving permission for other
tenants to contact you if they are interested in your
property. Only the contact details you specify will be
visible and accessible to other registered users. If you are
interested in a property advertised on Keychoices Mutual
Exchange Scheme, you should contact the occupier for
further details, and to establish whether you can arrange
to view each
others property.
If a move is mutually agreed, both parties involved must
contact their local housing office and notify them of your
intention to exchange.
Permission to exchange is made at the discretion of your local Housing Office.
The actual physical exchange of the property can only take place once the
Neighbourhood Office have confirmed, verified their approval
to proceed.
If you are a Housing Association or Council Tenant living outside the
Rotherham Borough, you can still make an exchange but you will need to
contact your own local housing office or Housing Association for permission.
14
Housing Associations
Housing Associations provide homes for rent in a similar way to
the Council.
Generally, people housed by Housing Associations are those defined as being
“in housing need”.
All Housing Associations must have written policies on the type of housing
services they provide, who can apply for housing and how applications will be
considered.
Housing Associations take a percentage of their new tenants from local
authority housing registers so we would suggest that you also register with
Key Choices.
Housing Associations provide housing for many different sectors of the
community. This includes people who don’t qualify for Council properties.
Others may specialise in providing housing for younger single people, older
people or for those who need special support.
Some Associations build homes
for low cost home ownership. In
these schemes, the buyer owns a
proportion of the home, and rents the
remaining share from the Association.
Local low cost ownership schemes
will be advertised by Key Choices.
See page 20 for a list of contact
details of Housing Associations with
homes for rent in Rotherham.
15
To Rent or to Buy?
Would you like to own your own home but think you can’t afford
to? Well have you thought about Shared Ownership?
Shared Ownership helps people who cannot afford to buy on the open
market. You buy a share of the property, and pay rent on the portion of the
share you don’t own.
The price will be based on the open market (normal) value of the property.
The amount or share you buy varies with the propertyand your circumstances.
It can be as low as 25%, but usually it is 40% or 50%.
Some mortgage lenders are more used to lending on shared ownership than
others, so we can help you to find out who may be willing to assist.
Rent - You pay rent monthly and the amount depends on the share you
own. This is a subsidised rent and the money goes toward the cost of the
loan that paid for the share bought by the Housing Association.
Eligibility - You must be in housing need and not able to buy a suitable
home on the open market. You must be able to raise the purchase price of
the share on offer and be able to afford all the monthly payments.
Demand - There is a huge demand for these homes so applicants are
prioritised. You also need to be registered on the Council’s Housing Register.
To Find out more please
tick the ‘I am interested
in Shared Ownership’ box
on the Housing Register
Application Form
or ring 01709 336566
(www.keychoices.co.uk)
16
Who to apply to - These homes are generally provided by Housing
Associations.
Need to sell? - Circumstances change and if you decide to sell your home
the Housing Association will try to find a buyer for your share from the
Housing Register.
Extra shares - After you have been in the property for a length of time
(usually 12 months). You can buy more shares by a process called ‘staircasing’. Sometimes you can buy more shares right up to the point of owning
the property outright. Sometimes though, you can only stair-case up to 80%
of the total value. This is to ensure the property is always affordable for
anyone else buying it later.
Rights and responsibilities - When you buy your share you enter into a
Lease Agreement. Your solicitor will explain all the important aspects of this.
You have all the same rights and responsibilities of any homeowner and are
responsible for all the repairs to your home.
Solicitors - You will need to appoint a solicitor to handle the legal side of
buying a property. It is recommended you use one who is experienced in
shared ownership.
Homes for sale - Just like any other homes, there are old and new
properties from flats to houses. You will also be able to see computer
generated images of homes that are still being built.
Improvements - You are entitled to carry these out but you should always
consult with your Housing Association first. You need to ensure that the work
is safe and you have the necessary planning permission.
Purchase costs - Just like any other home buyer, you’ll need to cover the
costs of legal fees, surveys and stamp duty.
17
Rotherham Quality Landlord Scheme
The Rotherham Quality Landlord Scheme
has been set up to improve the standard of
accommodation in the private rented sector
and how it is managed. The Council is aware
of the differing property conditions and is keen
to bring all properties up to a decent standard.
Private rented accommodation is now offered
through the Key Choices Property Shop as one
of several Housing Options.
What are the criteria?
Rotherham Quality Landlord Scheme requests all landlord members to
bring their properties up to our ‘Quality Standard’ before they are awarded
membership. This is verified by a qualified inspector from our team.
We also request all landlords manage their tenancies in line with our
‘Quality Management Code’ and all legislation set by Government and case
law. This will be monitored by our Quality Landlord Team, tenants and
our Environmental Health Officers. We also offer a fully managed service
whereby The Quality Landlord Scheme acts as a Letting Agent.
Benefits offered to tenants
By accepting a Rotherham Quality Landlord property you will have access to
the following benefits:
18
l
Free advice regarding your tenancy rights and responsibilities
l
Housing benefits applications processed within 14 days
l
Local Housing Allowance accepted on most properties.
l
Receive General Plus status if you have accepted a private rented
property to prevent homelessness.
l
Use of our Pest Control Service including the out of hours service
l
l
Free fire prevention advice and resources from South Yorkshire Fire
and Rescue Service
Free advice on grants and resources to save energy within your property
from our Energy Efficiency Team.
All properties advertised through the scheme will have an Energy
Performance Certificate (EPC)
l
Assistance with Rent In Advance and deposit Bond (criteria applies)
l
Applying for our properties
You can find out what properties are available each week by visiting the Key
Choices Property Shop, any Local Neighbourhood Office, the Rotherham
Advertiser every Friday or on the Internet at www.keychoices.co.uk
Once you have found a suitable property you can place an interest either
over the phone or at the Key Choices Property Shop.
Contact us
Telephone: 01709 336563
Fax: 01709 336560
Email: qualitylandlordscheme@
rotherham.gov.uk
19
20
0845 3000008
01904 754400
Salvation Army
33/35 Chorley
Housing Association New Road
Bolton BL1 4QR
6 Innovation Close
Heslington,York,
YO10 5ZF
The Triangle
Baring Road
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2NA
Yorkshire
Housing
Limited
Housing 21
0870 1924000
0845 155 9005
English Churches 3 Bede Island Road
Housing Group
Leicester LE2 7EA
Limited
Telephone
0845 6062608
01274 853160
Address
Habinteg
Beech House
Housing
Woodland Park
Association Limited Bradford Road
Chainbar
Bradford
BD19 6BW
Housing
Association
Housing Associations
L0055
LH3929
15210
LH0724
LH0459
Housing
Corporation
registered
number
119
(for the elderly)
152
8 (for the elderly)
12
(for the elderly)
62
Properties in
Rotherham
www.housing21.
co.uk
www.
yorkshirehousing.
co.uk
www.saha.org.uk
www.echg.org.uk
www.habinteg.org.
uk
Website
21
L1229
L1231
‘Johnnie’ Johnson Astra House
0845 6041095
Housing Trust
Spinners Lane
Limited
Poynton
Chesire SK12 1GA
Armitt House
Monmouth Road
Cheadle Hulme ,
Stockport Chesire
SK 7EF
LO659
L0407
FREEFONE
0800 733 233
0845 605 9000
L0247
Equity Housing
Group Limited
Bower House
1 Stable Street
Hollinwood
Oldham OL9 7LH
Northern
Counties
Housing
Association
Limited
FREEFONE
0800 7810401
Housing
Corporation
registered
number
0114 252 5900
Head Office
Unit 15
Killingbeck Drive
Leeds LS14 6UF
Sanctuary
Housing
Association
North Ltd
Telephone
Places for People The Old County
Homes Limited
Court House
Bank Street
Sheffield S1 2DS
Address
Housing
Association
260
111
286
475
347
Properties in
Rotherham
www.jjhousing.
co.uk
www.equityhousing.
co.uk
www.
placesforpeople.
co.uk
www.ncha.co.uk
www.sanctuaryhousing.co.uk
Website
22
Trafford House
11 Halifax Road
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD3 3AN
2nd Floor
08457 758 595
25 Bedford Street
London WC2E 9ES
Sadeh Lok
Housing
Group Limited
Anchor Trust
0800 0272057
FREEFONE
Acis
Group Limited
Acis House
Bridge Street
Gainsborough
Lincolnshire
DN21 1GG
0845 270 1088
Chevin Housing
Harrison Street
Association Limited Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF1 1PS
01484 435715
01937 588497
Knight House
2 Sandbeck Court
Wetherby
LS22 7BA
Home Group
Limited
Telephone
Address
Housing
Association
Housing Associations
L4229
L4160
LH4095
L3807
L3076
Housing
Corporation
registered
number
53
271
323
(For the elderly)
16
11
Properties in
Rotherham
www.acisgroup.
co.uk
www.chevinha.co.uk
www.
anchorhousing.org.
uk
www.sadehlok.
co.uk
www.homegroup.
org.uk
Website
2010 Rotherham Limited Neighbourhood Offices
Greasbrough Neighbourhood Office
Munsbrough Rise, Greasbrough, Rotherham, S61 4PU
& 01709 336914
Email: 2010GreasbroughNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Kimberworth Park Neighbourhood Office
Saint Johns’ Green, Kimberworth Park, S61 3JL
& 01709 336923
Email: 2010KimberworthParkNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Wath Neighbourhood Office
Wath Town Hall, Church Street, Wath Upon Dearne, S63 7RE
& 01709 873678
Email: 2010WathNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Rawmarsh Neighbourhood Office
Rawmarsh Hill, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6DT
& 01709 522456
Email: 2010RawmarshNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Customer Service Centres
Dinnington Customer Service Centre
New Street, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 2EX
& 01909 564171 (ask for the Dinnington office)
Email: 2010DinningtonNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Swinton Customer Service Centre
Station Street, Swinton, S64 8LY
Email: 2010SwintonNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Walk in service only, telephone enquiries can be made via the Wath
Neighbourhood Office.
Maltby Customer Service Centre
High Street, Maltby, S66 8LE
& 01709 812637
Email: 2010MaltbyNeighbourhoodOffice@rotherham.gov.uk
Town Centre Customer Service Centre
Civic Building, Walker Place, Rotherham, S65 1UF
23
Councillor Akhtar
Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
Key Choices
Independent Living, Neighbourhoods and Adult Services,
Keychoices Property Shop, Howard Street, Rotherham, S60 1QX.