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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

My neighbour is not looking after their garden and it is badly overgrown, can you help?

In the first instance you should try to talk to your neighbour about the problem. If talking to them makes no difference or you do not feel comfortable talking to them and they are a tenant or leaseholder of Worthing Homes then contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or Sales and Leasehold Adviser.  We will either write to them or visit them to ask them to deal with the problem and ensure that there garden is maintained to a good standard.  We will also remind them to keep to their tenancy conditions or lease.

If your neighbour is not a tenant of Worthing Homes contact your local Council who may be able to help

People are leaving rubbish in the communal area and not using the bins provided, what can be done?

Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer with the details of the residents that may be responsible for doing this. The Neighbourhood Housing Officer will contact the perpetrator and deal with any breaches of tenancy.

I need some repairs carried out, who do I speak to?

Please call the repairs phone number - 01903 703 101 to report your repair, or report a repair on-line.

I want to end my tenancy, what do I do?

If you are going to move out of your home, you must:

• give us four weeks notice in writing by completing a tenancy termination form
• tell us the address you are moving to before you move out
• tell us the date you are moving
• make sure your rent is paid up to date you move out
• remove all you belongings and leave your home clean, tidy and in good decorative order
• return the keys to us at the end of the four weeks

 

For more information see our Moving home leaflet. 

 

Can I take in a lodger?

If you want to charge rent to someone for living in your home, you are permitted to do so, as long as you are not sub-letting. A lodger usually lives with you as a member of your family, sharing the facilities of your home, such as the bathroom and kitchen.

If you receive Housing Benefit you must notify the Revenues and Benefits Department of your local Council of any changes in your circumstances as your entitlement to Housing Benefit may change.

You must not grant an assured sub-tenancy or sub-let the whole of your premises.

How do I claim Housing Benefit?

Claim forms are available from Worthing Homes or from your local Council.
If you need help filling in your claim form please ask your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or Scheme Manager who can help you.

When you claim Housing Benefit you must do so as quickly as possible as Housing Benefit is not usually backdated. You can help speed up the process by:

• providing all the information the Housing Benefit department ask for
• checking the progress of your claim
• telling us that you are claiming Housing Benefit and when you will start receiving it

 

It is important that you give your Council all the information they ask for.  If you cannot do this straight away you need to give them as much information as you can, then provide the other information as quickly as possible. 

The amount of benefit you will receive depends on:

• who lives with you
• the amount of money you have coming in
• any other benefits you receive and any savings you have

 

Contact your local Council with any queries.  Ask to speak to the Revenues and Benefit Office.

You must inform the Revenues and Benefits Department of any changes in your circumstances which occur after you have sent in the claim form and which could affect your claim for benefit. These could be:

• when a child reaches 18 years old and is no longer dependant
• moving to a different address
• a change in the income or benefit of anyone living in your household
• you have had a baby
• a person leaving or moving into your home
• an increase or decrease in your savings
• if your claim for Income Support stops (even for a short time)
• if your Income Support is replaced by another type of benefit such as Job Seeker’s Allowance or retirement pension

If you do not your benefit could be stopped.  If you are paid too much Housing Benefit because your circumstances change, this will be deducted from future Housing Benefit payments.  Or the overpayment may be claimed back from Worthing Homes. We will invoice you for this overpayment.  This could lead you to getting into debt or building up rent arrears.

I would like a rent statement - how do I go about it?

You can request an up-to-date copy of your rent statement at any time by ringing your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or calling Housing Services on 01903 703 102.

I have seen an empty property in my road, can I apply for it?

As soon as notice of a tenancy ending is given, the property is allocated to somebody, either through a nomination from Worthing Borough Council or from our own transfer register or housing register. The property is likely to be empty for a short period whilst repair works are carried out before it is let.

I can't afford my rent, what should I do?

If you are having difficulties making payments please call your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or call Housing Services on 01903 703 102. We will treat you with respect and give you advice in confidence.

We will work with you to sort out a repayment plan at a rate you can afford.  We can also give you advice about debt counselling such as the 24 hour National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or Citizens Advice Bureau.

I am about to be made homeless can Worthing Homes help me?

As soon as you know that you are going to be made homeless, you should contact your local Council’s Re-housing Department. Worthing Homes has a small housing register that is only opened about once a year.