February 2014

Are you ready to be a tenant?

There are lots of things you’ll need tohave ready if we offer you a home.

If that offer comes, you’ll need to actquickly or we’ll have to cancel the offer.

This is what you need to do to make sureyou’re ready. You’ll need to do most of

these before you start bidding:

1. Rent - You need to pay one week’s orone month’s rent when you sign for the tenancyso make sure you’ve got this saved up.

2. ID - Make sure you’ve got all your ID documents ready, that includes for everyonemoving with you. That means birth certificates,passports, driving licenses and proof of youraddress. If your bid is successful - you’ll needto show us these within two days of youroffer. If you can’t show us these bits of IDwe’ll have to withdraw the offer.

3. Past addresses - We’ll also need detailsof everywhere you’ve lived for the past tenyears. We’ll need to take references from yourpast landlords or housing associations tocheck that your rent was paid up to date andthat you didn't break any tenancy conditions.

4. Bank details - When you sign for thetenancy, you’ll need to tell us how you will be paying the rent. We prefer it if you pay by Direct Debit so you’ll need a bank or credit union account.

5. Cash flow - You’ll need to fill in an income and expenditure form, this will helpyou to see if you can afford the ongoing rent.Visit www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/corahOnce you’ve done 1-5, you’re all set to bidand once you’ve got an offer you’ll need to dothe rest:

6. Money management - You’ll need to go to a group workshop session with the CAB, they’ll provide you with support to help you manage your money and make sure you can pay your rent.

Get Ready... join the Credit Union now

It’s easy to join – and then you’ll be able to:

Visit Wolverhampton Credit Union in Worcester Street or download the forms from www.wccul.co.uk

•Take out a low cost loan.•Get special deals on ovens, washing machines and fridges with Co-op Electrical•Pay your rent from your account - if you’re getting housing benefit

•Start saving a little each month and watch your savings grow• Plus get discounts at SJ Dixon & Son, Dulux Decorator Centres and Community Transport.

Shared tenanciesDid you know that you can take a tenancy with a brother or sister, a cousin or a friend?

It can be a great way to share the costs of running a home. You’ll need to registeron Homes in the City together and then start bidding for a flat or maisonette.

Lina and her brother live in a two bedroom flat in Wednesfield. They wanted to move out of a house that they shared with other people so it made sense to get a place together. Now they share the rent and thecosts of running their home and they’re very happy.

Bid dingdo it online

We’ve got lots of ways for you to bid for yournew home but did you know you can bid online on our computer kiosks in our shops?You can search by area or property type andread all the details about each home beforemaking your bids.

Bid now forThree bed housesIt’s a good time for families who need a 3 bed house. We’re getting less bids forthree bed houses at the moment so if you’re eligible for a 3 bed – get bidding.

Who is eligible for a 3 bed house? Families:• with three or more children• with one boy and one girl – if one is over the age of 10• with two boys or two girls with one aged over 16.

There are 1,238 people who could bid for thesehomes. Don't forget you need to bid to keep yourhousing priority - if you don't bid your applicationmay be reassessed and your priority changed.

Lina and her brother share a flat

HOMES IN THE CITY FEBRUARY 2014

Emma Dacre bids on our kiosks

COMING SOON… a new online application.We’re so pleased with it that we’re going to stop

the paper form.

Let’s

SwapWant a transfer to somewhere smaller, bigger or a different area?

FAQ’sHow long do I need to livein Wolverhampton before I can register?You can register at any time but you'll beplaced in band 4 until you've lived in the areafor one year unless you have an emergencyor urgent medical or social need. After oneyear your application will be reassessed andyou may be given extra priority dependingon your housing situation. The Governmenthas recommended changing this to twoyears, the council policy hasn't changed yetso we'll let you know if it does.

How long will it take before I am offered a property?We can’t tell you how long it will be beforeyou make a successful bid. It will depend on:

• The type and size of the home you need. Some types of home are in very short supply, for example 4, 5 and 6 bed houses.

• Whether or not that type of home is available in the area you want and how often they become available.

• The number of other applicants bidding.

• The band you are in, the number of reasons you have to be in that band and the length of time you have been in that band.

Why can't I bid on Tuesdays?Bidding ends at 1pm on a Monday and the new adverts don't appear until Tuesday at 6pm. You can bid online from6pm or come and bid on our computerkiosks in our shops from Wednesday.

Join Let’s Swap and exchange instead.

Let’s Swap is the new West Midlands mutual exchange website.

It’s free and easy to use. Join today at www.lets-swap.org, No internet?Contact Claire Sands on 01902 556789.

HOMES IN THE CITY FEBRUARY 2014

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Call us on 01902 556789or visit www.homesinthecity.org.ukContact us WolvesHomes

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Check the stats Did you know?• The number of people on the looking for housing is 12,283.• Since April 4,957 people have applied for housing.• Between April and November we re-let 1,332 homes and most of those were relet within 25 days.• Over 85% of offers were accepted 1st time.• Since April, 218 tenants have moved through a mutual exchange (check

www.lets-swap.org if you’d like an exchange)• Over 36% of tenants moved to smaller homes (we can help you move to a smaller home - visit www.wolverhamptonhomes. org.uk/home-too-big)Only a small number of applicants on theHousing Register are successful in being re-housed. This is because there are notenough homes for everyone. Please consider other housing options available.