Affordable Rent—A Guide
Introduction
Arcon provides accommodation 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. Arcon will consider applications from individuals seeking housing and operates a waiting list.
The Association works closely with local authorities in the areas in which it operates and consults and co-operates 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
Arcon is committed to ensuring, 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. The Association operates an Equal Opportunities Policy (you need Adobe Reader to view this document). Copies are also available from the 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?
Arcon will consider applications from all people except:
- Applicants under 18
- Applicants, who due to their current immigration status are not eligible to hold an “assured periodic tenancy”
- Applicants who cannot provide two satisfactory references and the necessary documentation to support their application
- Former Arcon, Council and other Housing Association tenants who have:
- Left a property with a housing related debt (rent arrears, court costs, rechargeable repairs, service charge arrears) and made no agreement to pay these arrears.
- Been evicted from a former tenancy
- Abandoned a property.
- Been subject to legal action for issues other than rent arrears (ie anti-social behaviour)
- Have threatened or been violent towards an Arcon staff member or the staff of a previous landlord.
- Applicants with an unspent conviction for a community offence or who are the subject of a civil restraining order.
- Anyone who is intending to live with somebody who falls into the above categories.
A copy of Arcon’s Exclusion Policy can be obtained by contacting our office. All applicants excluded by the Association will be informed in writing and have a right to appeal against this decision through the complaints procedure.
Applying For A Home
Applications may originate through direct contact with Arcon or by nominations from local authorities 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) together with details of our housing schemes. 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 Arcon is a partner in the Manchester Housing Register, many of our Manchester properties are let through the Housing Register. Please refer to the Arcon list of schemes 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?
Arcon has 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)
- Homeless as defined by the Housing Act 1996, Part VII and there is written confirmation from the local authority of being accepted in priority need.
- Harassment that can be confirmed by police or another agency.
- Serious medical condition which makes current accommodation unsuitable or unusable to be returned to it without major adaptation.
- Arcon tenants residing in properties where urgent major repairs are required.
Applicants placed in this group 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
- Other medical problems affected by housing circumstances
- Overcrowding
- Harassment / neighbour problems
- Property unfit or in need of major repairs
- Sharing amenities
- Non priority homeless
- Potentially homeless
- Relationship breakdown
- Children / elderly living in upper floor flats without a lift
- Support / care needs
- Need to relocate for work
- Need to relocate for medical reasons
- Family living apart
- Where applicants can demonstrate a useful contribution to the community such as involvement in local voluntary work or community based activities, creating employment or providing a useful service to the community.
Priority 3
- Lodging with friends / family
- Need to move closer to friends, family, amenities.
- Property is too large or expensive to maintain
- Non urgent medical needs
- Need for independent accommodation
- I want to get married and live with my partner
Applications for transfers and those originating through HOMES are assessed using the same criteria as all other applications.
Do I need to provide references?
Arcon is 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.
- Current employer
- Former employer (within last 2 years)
- Social Worker Teacher / lecturer
- Probation Officer
- Doctor
- Solicitor
- Priest
- Health Visitor
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:
- Pregnancy—Certificate of Confinement, Maternity Card
- House Sale / Repossession—Letter from Estate Agent / Lender
- Homelessness—Letter of acceptance of homeless status from Local Authority
- Medical problems—Letter from Doctor, Consultant, Care Worker or CPN
- Harassment—Police Reports, Crime numbers
- Access / Custody—Child Benefit book, Court Documents, letter from ex partner
- Discharge from prison / forces—supporting letter
- Property Condition—Environmental Health Reports, photographs
- End of tenancy—Notice to Quit, letter from landlord
Will I receive a home visit?
It is Arcon’s 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?
It is standard practice for Arcon to 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. Arcon 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 an applicant refuses two reasonable offers for the schemes of their choice, they can 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. Arcon normally allocates 50% of vacancies to local authority nominees.
You can download “A Home From Arcon booklet”, which contains the information on this page. You need Adobe Reader to view it.
