If you have made a bid for a new property under Choice Based Lettings
(for an explanation of Choice Based Lettings please go to homeseekers)
you will be contacted if you have been short listed for a particular property. You will not be rehoused if you do not have a clear rent account. We will have checked that the property is an appropriate size for you. We will also try and check that any other needs you have can be met by the property such as mobility or medical issues.
Contacting you for your viewing
We will normally contact you within 4 working days after the close of the bidding for the particular property if you have been short listed. If we cannot get hold of you within 48 hours of this we will move to the next successful bidder. We will contact the top three bidders for viewing purposes but we will clearly explain to you what position you are in the shortlist. The most highly pointed person short listed has first priority from our short list of bidders. If they do not wish to sign up for the property then the next highest bidder has priority.
If you have successfully bid for more than one property we will try to arrange your viewings as close together in time as possible so you can make a quick and informed decision.
Viewing the property
We will be as flexible as possible with the viewing time to try and meet your needs. We will give you a clear appointment for the accompanied viewing and we will meet you at the property at that time. We are unable to transport any applicants to an accompanied viewing. The Lettings Officer is unable to wait any longer than 20 minutes at any appointment made. If an appointment is broken without prior contact we will not arrange a second viewing unless a valid reason has been given.
The Lettings Officer will accompany you around the empty home explaining the features of the property. This will include:
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The repairs to be carried out
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Details of any known future programmes of improvements such as new kitchen programmes etc.
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Rubbish arrangements
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Rent and service charge levels
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Caretaking arrangements (if appropriate)
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The local facilities
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Local Resident Associations (if appropriate)
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Location of stopcocks etc.
You will be provided with a copy of the repairs standard for empty homes.
You can also find out more information about the neighbourhood in which you are going to move into by looking at our Estate Profile Information.
Accepting the property
If you accept the property we will ask you to sign the tenancy agreement at the property. This is the contract for your new home and is legally binding. You must be sure that you want the property before signing for it. We will arrange an appointment for you to collect the keys and a copy of the tenancy agreement. We will give you:
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A copy of our welcome pack
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A housing benefit form
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An authority to clear form if you already live in one of our homes
We will also:
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Ask for 2 weeks rent in advance
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Ensure you know how and when to pay the rent
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Ensure you know how to access our services
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Ask for 2 weeks rent in advance
If we feel that the property should be decorated we will issue you with vouchers that can be exchanged for decoration materials so you can decorate it to your own taste. We will tell you the value of the vouchers you are entitled to according to the number of rooms to be decorated. We will also tell you at which shops vouchers may be accepted. No change is given for decoration vouchers.
If a property is in particularly poor condition we will decorate this for you before you move in.
We will explain to you your responsibilities under the tenancy agreement and our responsibilities as the landlord. We will take you through the important parts of the welcome pack.