Applicant FAQs
What is a Housing Association?
A Housing Association, or Registered Social Landlord, is a not-for-profit organisation whose main business is providing affordable homes to rent.
Where are your Properties?
Cheviot have properties in Sunderland (including South Tyneside), North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Gateshead More information about this is available in the ‘Finding a Cheviot Home’section.
What types of property do you provide?
We provide a wide range of property types including reitrement accommodation and bungalows for elderly people, family housing and accommodation for single people. We have also participated in many low-cost home ownership schemes.
Can I get Housing Benefit on a Housing Association rent?
Yes; tenants are strongly advised to apply for housing benefit. By not applying you may be losing money. You can ask for a housing benefit assessment before you move into a Cheviot Home to check whether you would be entitled to benefit, and how much you would receive. Your would do this by contacting the Local Authority in the area that you would be moving to. You can request that your Housing Benefit is paid direct to Cheviot.
I want to live in a Cheviot Property, how long will I have to wait?
It is difficult to give you a time scale, because it depends upon a suitable property becoming available. Some schemes have a more frequent turnover than others, so it entirely depends on which schemes you have selected as to whether a vacancy will arise. Once we receive notification that a vacancy is coming in, the Housing Officer will usually contact and visit at least 5 applicants and allocate the property in accordance with the allocations policy.
You can reduce the likely waiting time by widening your choice of area as much as you can and applying to a number of landlords.
What criteria do you select on?
An applicants housing need is assessed individually and points are awarded which reflects the severity of need, which are:
- Living in Unsatisfactory Conditions, i.e. lack of amenities
- Redevelopment/Decant, i.e. where your property is due to be demolished
- Disrepair and Dampness
- Overcrowding
- Under occupation
- Living apart, i.e. where families are living apart
- Threatened with homelessness, including relationship breakdown, living in and asked to leave, Notice to Quit issued
- Compulsory purchase, i.e. accommodation which is subject to a confirmed compulsory purchase order or closure
- Homeless (actual)
- Living in board/lodgings or with friends/family
- Re-housing on Medical or Welfare grounds
- Harassment
- Domestic Violence
- To enable mobility
- Economic reasons, i.e. unable to afford the upkeep of present accommodation
Will I qualify for Housing?
Anyone can apply to be registered onto the waiting list. In some areas restrictions apply for example with accommodation for older people there is an age criteria, for special needs accommodation the applicant must need the nature of property available. We also have a number of properties that are subject to a Localised Lettings Procedure, which means that the applicants have to have a specific connection to the area.
What is my position on the waiting list?
Someone who has applied to us for housing today may be in more need than someone who has been on our waiting list for several months. Therefore a person who has been registered a relatively short time could be offered a property before someone being on the list longer, if there needs are considered greater. Unfortunately we are not able to give you a position on the waiting list as applications are considered when a vacancy arises.