Housing Register Frequently Asked Questions
General Housing Register questions
What are the bands?
- The Council operates a banding system to prioritise
applications. These bands are; A (urgent priority), B (high
priority), C (moderate priority), D (low priority) E (no priority).
Further details about the bands can be found in H2 Housing
Allocations Scheme
How are applications prioritised within a
Band?
- Applications in each band are prioritised in date order from
then they are agreed. In this way, the person who waits the longest
will be top of each band.
Can anyone bid for a property?
- No, when a property becomes available, Officers will check the
register and identify the highest placed applicants (who need the
particular home) from Band A. They will be contacted and asked if
they want the property (unless someone is homeless when they will
automatically be selected). Once four applicants have said yes they
will be nominated to a Housing Association for consideration. If
suitable applicants can not be identified from Band A Officers will
check band B, then C, D and lastly E.
Can I view available properties on a
website?
- No, properties will not be advertised on the web.
Where could I choose to live?
- People can choose to live in the following areas; Ashingdon,
Barling Magna, Canewdon, Great Wakering, Hawkwell, Hockley,
Hullbridge, Paglesham, Rawreth, Rayleigh, Rochford, Stambridge
Sheltered Housing Schemes are located in Great Wakering, Hockley,
Hullbridge, Rayleigh and Rochford
How long will I have to wait to be housed (not sheltered
accommodation)?
- Band A, applicants could wait for approximately 1 year
- Band B, applicants could wait for at least 2 years
- Band C, applicants will have to wait many years
- Band D/E applicants are unlikely to ever be housed
How long will I have to wait for sheltered
accommodation?
- Band A or B, applicants may have to wait 6 – 12 months
- Band C applicants may have to wait 2 years
- Band D/E, applicants may have to wait at least 2 years
Should I consider sheltered accommodation?
- There are numerous sheltered housing units in the District that
provide good quality accommodation to residents.
- All properties have their own front door and many benefit of
communal facilities including lounge and gardens.
- The waiting list for Sheltered Housing is much shorter than the
general housing register. If you are approaching 55 years of age,
this may be a worthwhile consideration.
Do Sheltered Housing Schemes accept pets?
- Generally speaking, they do not. However, if you have a
specific need exceptions may be made by the Housing Association
e.g. if you need a guide dog
Where am I on the Register?
- Once your application has been assessed, you will be told what
band you are in and your position within it.
- Your position in the band may change as people join the
register and other people are accommodated
- Unless your circumstances change you are unlikely to change
bands.
Does the Council have access to 3 bed Key Worker rented
accommodation?
Can I hand deliver completed Housing Register
applications/supporting evidence to the Council?
Applications and/or supporting documents can be hand delivered
to the Rochford or Rayleigh Offices during opening hours, you can
hand deliver applications to:
- Council Offices, South Street, Rochford, Essex SS4 1BW
- Civic Suite and Information Centre, 2 Hockley Road, Rayleigh,
Essex SS6 8EB
- The office opening hours are; Monday to Thursday 8:30am –
5:30pm and Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Can anyone join the register?
- Anyone is entitled to join the register unless they are
excluded by law because of their immigration status or because of
their unacceptable behaviour e.g. violence towards their partner or
family
- An age qualification applies in certain circumstances for
particular properties e.g. for general needs properties you must
normally be 18 years of age or over and sheltered
housing/pensioner-designated dwellings you must be 60 years or over
(however, some schemes require you to be over 55)
I have seen an empty Housing Association property, can I
have it?
- A Housing Association may keep a property empty whilst it
carries out repairs or refurbishment works to it. Once the property
is ready, it will contact the Council. We will then identify
suitable applicants, ask them to bid and then nominate people as
soon as possible.
What should I do if my circumstances
change?
You should contact the Council as soon as possible, you can
contact by:
- Letter/visit: Strategic Housing, Rochford District Council,
Council Offices, South Street, Rochford, Essex SS4 1BW
- Telephone: 01702 318066 or 318027 or 318030
- Email: HousingAllocations@Rochford.gov.uk