Before you bid for properties you need to ensure you are ready to take on a tenancy and have considered the costs and responsibilities that this involves. You also need to be aware of the process involved before a property is officially offered to you:
Verification Visits
As part of the verification process, applicants who are successful will be visited prior to any allocation being made. You will not be given notice of a visit and the Association will need to see evidence in the house of where everyone sleeps and see recent written proof for everyone in the household. This is necessary because your points award is based on the number of people living in the house and the type of house you live in. Before an offer is made the Association needs to be satisfied that you have been awarded the correct amount of points.
Offer of Housing
If an offer is being made, you will be shown the property by a member of staff and will be expected to accept to sign a written acceptance at this stage. If you refuse 2 offers of let your application within a 6 month period, your application will be suspended from the ICHR for a one year period. These 2 offers could be across landlords, ie if you refuse an offer from Oak Tree and then refuse another offer from Cloch you will be suspended from the list. An appointment will then be made for you to "sign up" for your tenancy. The tenancy agreement signing takes about an hour.
Rent
The rent charge for your property starts on the day you sign for your new house or flat. Rent is also due one month in advance so you will be expected to bring one full month’s rent payment with you when you sign for your property. If you believe that you are entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you will still be expected to pay one month’s full rent in advance. This is due to Inverclyde Council paying Housing Benefit and Universal Credit in arrears instead of in advance.
You will be given assistance to complete a Housing Benefit application and to assist with this application you should bring with you the following information:
Proof of identity
Proof of earnings
Proof of other income and/or savings
Proof of benefit entitlement
Council Tax
You are responsible for paying the Council Tax for your property and you will need to advise Inverclyde Council accordingly and make arrangements to pay. If you complete an application for Housing Benefit this covers your Council Tax Benefit claim too. It is your responsibility to ensure you complete this application.
Moving In
The costs of moving into your new home can easily mount up and it is a good idea to be prepared in advance. Oak Tree, Cloch and Larkfield properties are not furnished and generally do not have flooring or blinds provided. There are no white goods provided either.
