Registered Social Landlords / Housing Associations

What are they? - Housing Associations are non-profit making organisations whose main concern is to provide homes for rent to people with housing need.  They are partly financed by Government grants, which are used to build new homes or modernise older homes. Rents may be marginally higher than the rents of properties managed by Ashfield Homes but tenants may apply for Housing Benefit.

When you put your name down on the Ashfield Homes’ Register, let us know if you would be interested in being housed by a Housing Association by ticking the box in your housing application.  Or, if you wish, you can apply directly to a Housing Association.

Housing associations in Ashfield

Try these links for Housing Association websites in Ashfield:  

	Anchor Trust
	Derwent Housing
	East Midlands Housing Association
	Housing21
	Leicester Housing Association
	Metropolitan Housing Trust
	Places for People
	Nottingham Community Housing Association
	Raglan Housing Association
	NACRO Second Base Housing
	Sanctuary Housing Association
	English Churches Housing Association

Private-Rented Sector

There are a number of local Estate Agents with private rent information.  Local newspapers also have information on properties to rent.  

Move UK

Homeswap and The Homes Mobility Scheme which were managed by Move UK discontinued service on 20th January 2007. However, the organisation is offering a replacement service called HomeSwapper. We have not evaluated the site however, customers may wish to take a look. It is called homeswapper.co.uk and claims to automatically compare every new property against your requirements and will alert you by email or text message to your mobile phone. The full HomeSwapper service launched in early February. Please note that HomeSwapper is not run by Ashfield Homes and we make no claims about its effectiveness. 

www.homeswapper.co.uk

Bond Guarantee Scheme

Finding private rented accommodation can be difficult if you have a low income.  Most private landlords require a month’s rent in advance as well as a deposit, which is usually equal to a month’s rent.  The Housing Options & Advice section at Ashfield District Council can help you if you are unable to pay for this yourself because you are on a low income.  If you are eligible to take part in the scheme, we can help you by guaranteeing your deposit to the landlord for you.  This means that, if at the end of your tenancy there is any damage to the property or any rent arrears, the Council guarantees to pay the landlord up to the value of the bond on receipt of a claim by the landlord.   In some circumstances, we may also be able to provide your first month’s rent in advance, although this must be repaid to the Homeless Team when your Housing Benefit claim has been assessed and awarded. 

To be eligible for the Bond Guarantee Scheme you must be:

• Homeless or threatened with homelessness.
• On a low income and have insufficient savings to pay for the bond yourself.
• Eligible for Housing Benefit.
• In receipt of Income Support or another State Benefit.
• Have a connection with the Ashfield District Council.
• Capable of living independently.
• Willing to be repay any sum paid by the Council under the guarantee.  

For more information on our Bond Guarantee Scheme, please contact the Housing Options & Advice section at Ashfield District Council on 01623 457000.

Private Renting  

Personal contacts: ask friends and family or work colleagues.

Local papers: Most have daily or weekly rent sections, check them as soon as you can, private rented properties can go quickly.  Libraries have local papers.  

Estate Agents: Go to your high street shops and look in the window to see what is available. Make yourself known to them. Register with them so that they can inform you if a suitable property becomes available.

Shop windows/notice boards:  Try notice boards in supermarkets and smaller shops, community centres, libraries, hospitals and Post Offices.

Lettings agencies: You can get details of local agencies from advice centres and Yellow Pages.  Be aware that Lettings Agencies may charge you to register for their service and may make charges for their services. Ask before you register.

Internet: Use the internet; some people advertise their properties on websites, as do Estate Agencies and local papers.  If you don’t have access yourself, your local library may be able to help.

Advertise yourself:  You can also put your own advertisement in a shop window or paper.  Say what you are looking for and how much you can afford to pay.

General Advice

• Put all communications with your landlord in writing and keep a copy.
• Get the landlord to complete an inventory of the house, checking the condition of the property, furniture, fixtures and fittings. Sign each page of the inventory.  This will reduce the risk of any problems or disputes when you leave.

 If you decide to go ahead:

• The landlord will offer you a tenancy, this should generally be written.
• The landlord will generally ask you for a deposit and or rent in advance.
• If you are unsure of anything check before you sign.
• Always get a signed and dated receipt for any money that you hand over. 
• It is a criminal offence for a landlord to harass a tenant. 
• It is a criminal offence for a landlord to evict him/her without a Court Order.
• If a landlord needs access to the property he/she must give you 24 hours notice and arrange a mutually suitable time.
• Your landlord must not enter the property without your permission or when you are absent.

Buying a Home  

Owning your own home gives you more security and stronger rights than rented accommodation but it is a big financial commitment.  Consider it very carefully.  If you fall behind on your mortgage re-payments, you may lose your home.

There are many types of mortgages and it will benefit you to get independent advice.

Find out How Much Mortgage Can You Afford

You can save yourself a lot of time by figuring out what size mortgage you can afford. Generally, a lender will want your monthly mortgage payment to total no more than 29% of your monthly gross income (that’s your monthly income before taxes and other pay check deductions are taken out.) You also need to consider current loan interest rates.

Focus on the features you want in a home,

• 2 bedrooms or 3
• 1 bathroom or 2
• Garage or no garage

Knowing what you’re looking for will help you focus your search.

Shared Ownership Schemes

 If you would like to own your own home, but cannot afford to buy on the open market, Shared Ownership could be for you. (You will have sole occupancy rights - you do not have to share your home with anyone else).

Shared Ownership is a part buy / part rent Scheme where you buy a share in a home, normally by raising a mortgage, and pay rent for the share you have not purchased. The Scheme is suitable for people who can’t quite afford to buy outright or who have savings to meet the cost of the share to be purchased.  You may have the option to buy extra shares of the property until you own it fully.  These Schemes are mostly run by Housing Associations.