Letting our HomesHow we let our homes.

LET

At Bournville Village Trust our mission is to ‘create and sustain flourishing communities, where people choose to live’. Here, we explain how our Letting Homes Policy and Procedure works.

Our aim is to provide permanent housing and improve the housing conditions of those in housing need, regardless of race, colour, religion or politics.

We do not compete with the local authority, but strive to provide accommodation for those who have difficulty obtaining a Council or private rented property, or in owning their own home.

Those in Housing NeedWe aim to let our homes efficiently, minimising the length of time properties are vacant and, in doing so, recognise we have a key role in the provision of accommodation to those in housing need.

We will work with other local housing providers – local authorities, Birmingham City Council and Telford & Wrekin Council – to maximise choice and access to opportunities for

housing, through the best use of our available housing stock.

We will let our properties as efficiently and effectively as we can, in ways that contribute towards building and sustaining communities and minimising social exclusion.

Non-DiscriminatoryOur lettings process is fair, open and non-discriminatory and our policy applies to all applicants – in Birmingham and Shropshire – with the exception of properties allocated on a sub-market or market tenancy.

The objectives of applying this policy are to:

• be fair, and be seen to be fair

• be easily understood

• let our properties according to the housing need of the applicant

• make best use of our housing stock.

Who Can ApplyWe consider applications for housing from any person suffering from various problems where the provision of better housing conditions will alleviate, or overcome, those problems. We have defined these in associated policies and procedures relating to the letting of properties.

Merit AssessmentWe do not operate blanket bans, no applicant is excluded automatically, and we assess each application on its merits.

There will be instances where an applicant is considered ineligible for assistance; these are outlined in associated policies and procedures relating to the letting of properties.

We will not usually consider applications from former tenants with arrears owed to the Trust, another housing association or local authority – unless an agreement to pay off outstanding arrears is in place, and has been regularly maintained. Similarly, any serious breach of tenancy, with either landlord described, may also be taken into consideration.

We also have procedures for dealing with applications from owner occupiers and applicants with high incomes and savings; including any property value. For more information, please consult our lettings staff.

We provide permanent housing for rent for a wide range of groups, including elderly or single people, couples, families, and those with disabilities.

We also use agents in order to offer some accommodation for market renting. These properties will be in areas where a need to provide short-term housing has been identified, for example;

• in areas of re-development, where the alternative would be large scale vacancies and rent loss

• on new developments, where the final outcome will be affordable housing for sale, and where a local lettings plan is not practical.

Transfer ConditionsTenants will not be considered for a transfer if they have been in their current tenancy for less than a year, are in rent arrears, or breach of their tenancy conditions or obligations.

We will take into consideration the age and gender of all children to be re-housed with applicants. Currently, there is no law in place stating that children cannot share a bedroom, therefore we consider:

• children under the age of ten years can share a bedroom

• children over the age of ten years, of opposite gender, would require a bedroom each, and

• each child over 18 years of age would also require their own bedroom.

Applying for Accommodation

Applications are received from a variety of sources:

In Birmingham:Direct applications to the Trust: When our lists are open, anyone previously described, who is in housing need, over 18 years of age and NOT a Birmingham City Council tenant, can apply for an application form.

Applicants under 18 should contact our lettings staff before completing the form.

Once we have received your application, our lettings staff will assess your request for accommodation.

Nominations: From Birmingham City Council (including Statutory Organisation e.g. Probation Services/Social Services). Existing Council Tenants will only be considered if Birmingham City Council specifically nominates them to the Trust via Birmingham Home Choice bidding system.

Referrals From Housing Associations, Local Voluntary Organisations, Local Advice Centres and other Housing Organisations: We will accept referrals from local advice agencies, community groups, Social Workers etc., who will act as a referral agent. For market rented properties referral from our managing agent.

Transfer applications made directly to the Trust from existing Trust tenants: Tenants in housing need previously described may apply for a Transfer. All tenants who wish to transfer will be considered according to their housing need, in the same way as new applicants. They must also have maintained their tenancy in a satisfactory manner.

Applications from Bournville Village Trust staff or family members: Will be assessed, as above, but will also be sent for approval by our Board of Trustees.

In Shropshire:New applicants: We work in partnership with other local housing providers and allocate our homes using the choice-based lettings scheme called Homes Direct. Customers must register with Homes Direct in order to be able to choose to be considered for one of our homes.

You can apply online at www.homesdirect.org.uk or by collecting a form from our office at Cherry Tree House.

Transfers: Shropshire tenants wishing to transfer to another home in the area must register on Homes Direct. This will also give them the opportunity to consider the homes of other housing providers, in addition to those vacant within the Trust.

In the same way as new applicants, all tenants wishing to transfer will be considered according to their housing need.

Mutual Exchanges: Tenants who wish to exchange their tenancy with another Trust, Local Authority or housing association tenant can legally do so with our consent.

We will not withhold consent without reasonable grounds. These are identified in our procedure (mutual exchanges). In order to assist our tenants in this process, the Trust is a member of HomeSwapper, the national mutual exchange register. Our tenants are not charged for this service. We also work with other Social Landlords using the mutual exchange scheme called Let’s Swap.

If you are accepted onto our waiting list (Direct/Transfer)When we make an offer of accommodation, three applicants are offered the same property, in order of priority. If you are the main applicant, you have first refusal, and so on for the 2nd and 3rd applicants.

Multiple viewings enable a quicker void period turnaround, and alleviate any potential rent losses.

3000+ Properties

We have around 3000 properties in Birmingham – mostly in Bournville, Selly Oak and Northfield – and others in Nechells and Bordesley.

Our properties comprise of bedsits, one, two and three-bedroom flats, two and three-bedroom houses and a few four and five-bedroom houses. Our one and two-bedroom bungalows are aimed at applicants 60 years of age and over, as are our sheltered schemes.

We also have around 750 properties in Telford, where we are part of the choice-based lettings scheme Homes Direct.

If you are interested in properties in Telford, please contact our Telford Office, on 01952 293777 or write to Cherry Tree House, 1 Lightmoor Way, Lightmoor Village, Telford TF4 3TX.

Local Lettings PlansWe work in partnership with the local authority, and our customers, to create a local lettings plan to balance the competing needs of sustainable communities.

Our local lettings plans are monitored annually during their lifecycle and we include our customers in the monitoring of performance.

Being a TenantAs a Trust tenant you will have a tenancy agreement, which is a legal contract, detailing a number of important rights and responsibilities which you have as a tenant, and we have as your landlord.

Our tenants are required to fulfil their responsibilities and failure to do so will result in our taking appropriate action to address any shortcomings.

Regrettably, on occasions, where a tenant has fallen well short of their responsibilities, we do apply to the courts for possession of a property.

Equality & DiversityWe are committed to equal opportunities and all our customers have a right to receive fair and equitable treatment when accessing this policy and its related procedures.

We will ensure the promotion of our equality and diversity principles by publishing information and documentation in different formats and languages, as required.

We will make appropriate arrangements for communicating with our customers who have special needs – such as people with sight, hearing and learning difficulties.

Also, we will not treat you less favourably than anyone else because of your:

• sex or marital status: this includes family status, responsibility for dependents, and gender

(including gender reassignments whether proposed, commenced or complete)

• sexual orientation

• colour or race: this includes ethnic or national origin or nationality

• disability

• religious, philosophical or political beliefs or trade union affiliation; or any other unjustifiable factors, for example language difficulties or age.

This policy has been made subject to an Equality Impact Assessment, the results of which are available on request from our Business Improvement Unit.

Data ProtectionRegistered under the Data Protection Act 1998, under the terms of our Data Protection statement we will keep any personal data collected safe and secure and will not share it with organisations without your consent, unless we are required by law to do so.

350 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1QY.

email: enquiries@bvt.org.uk

How to contact usFor general advice and further information contact:

BVT BIRMINGHAM TELEPHONE

0300 333 6540BVT SHROPSHIRE TELEPHONE

01952 293 777

On request, this leaflet can be supplied as a large-print copy or CD.

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