Once we have received your completed application form, we will carry out some initial checks to ensure that you are keeping to your tenancy agreement.  We will also arrange to visit you to see if your home needs any repairs or decoration.  We may not consider you for a transfer until you have done the work. 

We will not usually accept an application onto the transfer register if you have broken any conditions of tenancy, this could be because:

• you owe rent
• you or a member of your family or visitors have been involved in anti-social behaviour
• you have been served with a Notice of Seeking Possession, or we are taking legal action against you
• you are under a court order

If we feel there is an exceptional reason why you need to move, we may reconsider your case.

Banding System

Once we have completed our initial checks, we will assess your housing need along with any medical needs and other factors affecting you or your family/ household. You will be placed in one of the following bands:

Band A -  Emergency, urgent priority if you have:

• an emergency (transfer applications only);
• urgent medical problems;
• experienced physical violence, serious harassment, racial harassment;
• a trauma or serious social reasons;
• to move on from supported housing.

Band B – for applicants that:

• have serious medical problems;
• are at  serious risk of violence or harassment;
• are successors or under-occupying;
• have social needs;
• are lacking 2 or more separate bedrooms/ overcrowding.

Band C – for applicants that:

• are lacking 1 separate bedroom/ overcrowding;
• have other medical cases;
• have support needs;
• have lack of security.

Band D

• discretionary award.

If you disagree with the priority band that you have been placed in, you can ask us to review the decision.  To do this, please explain your reasons for reviewing by completing a complaints form.(pdf file)

Medical conditions

If your health is affected by your present housing, ask for a medical details form. This will allow you to tell us why.

Once you have completed and returned the form, an assessment will be made.  There is no need to get a letter from your doctor or a consultant before returning the form, but if you already have recent correspondence then these can be provided with the application to help with the decision.  We will assess the application based on:

• how much your health or health prospects are adversely affected by your current housing circumstances
• how those problems could be improved by rehousing.

You will be placed in one of the priority bands described above.

If you disagree with the priority band that you been placed in, you can ask us to review the decision.  To do this, please explain your reasons for reviewing by completing a complaints form.

Properties for people with physical disabilities

We have a limited number of wheelchair standard, specially adapted or purpose-built housing suitable for people with physical disabilities. 

Worthing Homes recognises the demand for this type of accommodation, and are continuing to develop these types of properties.

Adaptations can be made to an existing property if it is suitable.

Sheltered housing

We have range of specially designed housing for vulnerable adults who require extra services and support. These allow you to live as independently as possible, with the added security of having someone to call on in emergencies.  For more information contact the Supported Living Co-ordinator on 01903 703 151 or see our Sheltered Housing leaflet.

How we allocate properties

When allocating a property to either a Transfer or Housing Register applicant, priority will be given to those in the highest band. Priority will also be given to the applicant with earliest registration date.

We aim to make the best use of our housing stock and when allocating will look at the areas that you wish to live in and suitability of the property to your needs.

Property size guidelines

The size of the property you can expect is based on your household size.

Single adult                                                                studio flat or 1bed flat
Childless households                                               1 bed flat
Households with 1 child                                            2 bed property
Households with 2 children of the same
sex under 8 years                                                      2 or 3 bed property
Households with 3 children                                      3 bed property
Households with 4 children                                      3 or 4 bed property
Households with 5 or more children                        4 bed property or larger

Incentive scheme

If you have one or more spare bedrooms in your home you may wish to apply for a transfer on the grounds of under-occupation.

You may qualify for help towards the cost of removals and reconnection services.  Payments are subject to funds being available and housing demand. 

How we offer properties

Offers of housing are made in writing.  We will let you know the size of the property, the rent, how to make arrangements to view the property and the date by which you will need to confirm your interest.

Accepting an offer

Once you have accepted an offer of housing, the Lettings Adviser will:

• provide you with an information pack
• explain and confirm the details of the tenancy agreement
• ask you to sign the tenancy agreement and complete a CORE form (a COntinuous REcording of lettings)
• explain and confirm what you need to do before you leave your present home
• give you a housing benefit form and advice on making an housing benefit claim
• explain rent payment methods, and issue rent advice leaflet
• issue you with a Residents handbook
• ask you to complete a satisfaction feedback form

 

How we will deal with a refusal

If a reasonable offer of housing is refused we will consider removing your application from the transfer register for a period of six months.  Offers are considered ‘reasonable’ if we have taken into account your circumstances, the size and type of the property and your area of choice.

Change in circumstances

If your circumstances change, please let us know as this may affect your housing application.  Changes in circumstances may include:

• a serious change in medical condition
• changes to the size of your family/ household

 

Reviewing your application

We will review your application every year.  Our Lettings Adviser will send you a review form each year for you to complete and return to us, or may contact you by telephone.

Customer feedback and complaints

If you are not happy with the way your application has been handled you can make a complaint.  We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 2 days. A named manager will investigate your complaint and a written reply will be sent to you within 21 days of the date of the acknowledgement letter.  If a full response cannot be made within 21 days the manager will write to let you know why and advise you when you will receive a full reply.

 

Appeal

If you are not happy with the response to your complaint you can ask for it to be considered by ‘Appeal Panel’.  Requests should be made in writing within 28 days of being notified of the decision.   For more details see the customer feedback and complaints leaflet.

Confidentiality and data protection

All information given to us will be treated in confidence and will only be disclosed to a third party (for example, your doctor) if it assists in your application and where you have given us consent.