Arcon Housing Association Limited

Affordable Rent—A Guide

Introduction

We provide homes for people who are inadequately housed or are without a home of their own but whose needs cannot be met at rents they can afford elsewhere in the housing market. We will consider applications from individuals seeking housing and operate a waiting list.

We work closely with local authorities in the areas in which we operate and consult and co-operate with other agencies to make sure that local housing needs continue to be met.

We do not provide temporary or emergency accommodation and so if you are homeless you should contact your local Housing Department.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to make sure, both in access to its housing and deciding to whom properties are allocated, that no-one will be treated less favourably than anyone else because of race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation or age. We operate an Equal Opportunities Policy (you need Adobe Reader to view this document). Copies are also available from our office at 12 Lloyd Street, Manchester M2 5ND. We can arrange to forward a copy of a translation of this document if required.

Who can apply?

We will consider applications from all people except:

A copy of our Exclusion Policy can be obtained by contacting our office. We will inform in writing all applicants who are excluded and they have a right to appeal against this decision through the complaints procedure.

Applying For A Home

You can apply directly to Arcon or by nomination from your local authority or other housing associations. In all cases you will be asked to complete an application form which can be obtained from our office (telephone number 0161 214 4120 or request online). When you complete this form please indicate clearly the schemes that you prefer and ensure that you have enclosed the required documentation.

Applications For Manchester Schemes

As we are part of the Manchester Housing Register, many of our Manchester properties are let through the Housing Register. Please refer to the Manchester Housing Register list for details of these properties. If you require rehousing in the Manchester area you will be asked to complete an application form for the Manchester Housing Register which will not only enable you to be considered for rehousing by Arcon but also by the partner Registered Social Landlords and Manchester Housing. If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant you should do this by contacting your own landlord.

Which properties can I apply for?

We have an open waiting list and you can register for rehousing at up to 3 different schemes. Please note that some schemes are designated for those aged over 55 only and we cannot accept applicants onto the waiting list unless you are aged over 50 and offers of accommodation will not be made until the applicant is 55.

If you wish to apply for properties let through the Manchester Housing Register as well as properties let through Arcon’s waiting list you must complete both forms.

How will my application be assessed?

Your application will be assessed and placed in date order in a priority group dependant on your housing need. When your application has been assessed you will be notified in writing of your Priority Group and your position on the waiting list for your chosen schemes.

Priority 1 (time limited for 3 months)

If you are placed in this group you will be considered to be in urgent housing need. If a reasonable offer is refused or we are unable to make you an offer at a stated scheme within 3 months, you will be moved to Priority 2. Your position in Priority 2 will be from the date that the original application was made.

Priority 2

Priority 3

Applications for transfers and those originating through HOMES are assessed using the same criteria as all other applications.

Do I need to provide references?

We are committed to maintaining stable communities and you must provide two references. If your application is joint we require two for each applicant. If you are a tenant or have been within the last 3 years, one reference must be from your landlord and one other from the following list. If you have not held a tenancy within the last 3 years you must provide two references from the list below.

Referees must have known applicant for at least 1 year

We do not accept references from family or friends

You can download extra copies of the reference forms. You need Adobe Reader to view them.

Do I need to show documents / evidence to support my application?

We require you to provide proof of your reasons for needing rehousing. This is to prevent fraudulent applications and to ensure a fairer system. You will be required to provide one document from each of the categories below. In the case of a joint application we require one for each applicant. We will accept photocopied documents and may make checks to ensure the validity of these. Please do not send original passports or birth certificates in the post.

Proof of Identity

Copy of birth certificate or passport or driving license or IND/BIA card

Proof of National Insurance number

Copy of National Insurance card or copy of benefit order book or benefits agency letter or wage slip or P45/60

Proof of current address

Copy of current tenancy agreement or water bill or gas bill or electric bill or bank statement or driving license

Supporting documentation

If your application relies on any of the following circumstances you must provide evidence to support this. Below are examples of accepted documentation:

Will I receive a home visit?

It is our policy to visit an applicant prior to any offer of accommodation being made. The purpose of this visit is to confirm the details of your application and the identity of the applicant. If the application is joint, both applicants must be present. An offer of accommodation cannot be made without an applicant being visited.

How long will I be waiting for an offer of accommodation?

Your length of time on the waiting list will depend on the frequency of vacancies at the schemes for which you have chosen. You can select a maximum of 3 schemes. You should note the number of vacancies in the last year as stated in the “Arcon List of Schemes” when deciding which schemes to apply for. If you choose schemes which have a higher number of vacancies we will be able to offer you accommodation much earlier than if you select schemes where vacancies are rare. Please note that acceptance onto the waiting list does not guarantee that we will make you an offer of accommodation.

If you decide at a later date to change or add a scheme to your application, your position on the new list will be dependent on the date that you applied for that scheme (not on the original date of application).

Is the waiting list regularly reviewed?

We review each waiting list every 6 months. During such reviews you will be asked to confirm whether you wish to remain on the waiting list. We will provide you with information regarding your position on the waiting list for the scheme(s) of your preference and the number of vacancies in the previous year. This information is intended to assist you in assessing your chances of rehousing. If, due to this information you decide to go onto the waiting list for a different scheme, your position on that list will be dependant on the date that you register the change and not your original application date.

What if my circumstances change?

You are strongly urged to notify Arcon of any change to your circumstances which may be relevant to your application. Such changes should be notified as soon as possible. If, due to your change in circumstances, your application is moved to a higher Priority Group, your date on the waiting list within this group will be the date that you provided evidence of your change in circumstances and not your original application date.

Offers Of Accommodation

When a vacancy occurs, it will be offered firstly to applicants in Priority Group 1 in order of their date of application. If the property is not accepted it will be then offered to applicants in Priority Group 2 by order of their date of application and finally to applicants in Group 3 in the same order. If you are selected to receive an offer of a property, you will be notified in writing. An appointment will then be made with you to view the property with the Housing Officer.

If you refuse two reasonable offers for the schemes of their choice, you may, at the discretion of the Housing Director, be removed from the waiting list.

Can I have access to information provided in support of my application?

You are entitled, in law, to inspect personal information which you have provided in connection with your application and also to inspect any information held on our computer system about yourself. If you require access to inspect such information please contact the Housing Director to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

Information on your application form will not be divulged to a third party without your permission.

Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances of rehousing?

We recommend that you also apply to the local authority and other housing associations for rehousing. We normally allocate 50% of vacancies to local authority nominees.

The cost of running a home

If you already have a place of your own you will know how much it costs to run a home, on top of the rent and council tax. If this is going to be your first home, you may be surprised at all the costs involved. You can download our “Cost of Running a Home booklet” to give you an idea of what you will have to budget for. You must make sure that you can afford these costs before you accept any offer of a home from Arcon.

You can also download “A Home From Arcon booklet”, which contains the information on this page. You need Adobe Reader to view these documents.

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