Bath and North East Somerset

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Homesearch Register?

The Homesearch Register is the waiting list for social housing in Bath and North East Somerset.  It is commonly referred to as the "Housing Register".

How do I get onto the Homesearch Register?

You can complete a online Homesearch Application form or telephone 01225 396118 to request a paper Homesearch Application form or collect one from our offices. 

• Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath
• Council Connect, Midsomer Norton 
• Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham.

If you need assistance with completing the form please ring us on 01225 396118.

Can anybody go on to the Homesearch Register?

Most people aged 16 or over are eligible to join the Homesearch Register.  However, if you do not have a right to remain in the UK, do not have access to public funds or have not been living in the Common Travel Areas for the last 5 years further information may be needed in order to establish eligibility.

Common Travel Area includes the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

How long will my application take to be assessed?

The Homesearch Team will endevour to make complete applications active within 10 working days of receipt. In some cases where further information is required, or where there is a question of eligibility this make take longer. Incomplete application forms will be destroyed after a period of one month.

How will my application be assessed?

Applicants will be placed in one of four groups according to housing need. Within each Group, applicants will be sorted according to how long they have been waiting within their Group.

How will I know which Group I am in?

When your Homesearch Application has been entered onto our computer system we will send you a registration letter confirming your Group and Registration Date. 

When will I be housed?

We have a large volume of applicants on the Homesearch Register and a limited amount of properties that become available for re-letting. Lettings results are published each week on the Homesearch website and in Council offices. These results should give you some idea of the amount of time applicants can expect to wait for rehousing within each Group.

Where will properties be advertised?

Properties will be advertised each week between Thursday and Tuesday. They will be advertised on the Homesearch website, Bath Chronicle, Somerset Standard & Guardian and in the council offices above.

How long will I have to register an interest?

Properties will be advertised from midnight on a Wednesday and you will be able to register your interest in properties up until midnight the following Tuesday

What information will the property adverts contain?

The adverts will tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property. Where available a photograph of the property or a similar house type will be provided and you will be able to access information about the local area and facilities. The advert will also tell you if there are any special requirements that the applicant must meet, such as age requirements, which groups may bid for the property and which will be given priority for the property. It also tells you the number of bedrooms that applicants applying for the property need to be entitled to. If your bedroom entitlement is different to this you will not be able to bid for that property.

Are carpets and appliances provided?

You will normally have to provide your own carpets and appliances.

How can I register an interest in a property?
You can register your interest or bid, as it is also known, in the following ways:

• Online through our website, www.homesearchbathnes.org.uk
• Through our 24hr automated telephone service on 0845 270 1239
• By texting  07781 484692 

If you need assistance with reigistering an interest please ring us on 01225 396118.

How many properties can I express an interest in?

You will be able to register in a maximum of three properties per weekly advertising cycle. However, you will only be able to register an interest in properties that are suitable for your family.

Why can’t I register an interest in a property?

You can register an interest in any property that you are eligible for. If you are unable to place a bid, check if a ineligibility message appears. It may be that the property is being advertised to a different Group or that you have a different bedroom entitlement

Will I know how many other people are interested in the same property?

Yes, when you register an interest in a property you will be told where you are in the queue. This is likely to change frequently due to other people registering their interest in the same property. Using this information you may decide to withdraw your registration of interest for one property and register for a different property for which you are higher placed in the queue. You can do this at any time before the closing date.

How do you decide who is offered a property?

Once the closing date for registrations of interest has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the advert details for that property. The applicant at the top of the list will normally be offered the property.

If I am top of a shortlist for a property can the landlord refuse to offer it to me?

In some circumstances, the Registered Social Landlord may refuse to offer you the property. Examples include:

• The person or a member of their household has anti-social behaviour that is likely to create management problems for the landlord or unreasonably affect neighbouring tenants.  
• The person has unmanaged arrears relating to a current or former tenancy. (Applicants with arrears totalling more than £500 should have been complying with a repayment program for at least 6 months). 
• The person was previously evicted for breach of tenancy conditions
• The person has displayed threatening, violent or otherwise unreasonable behaviour towards a member of staff
• A Local Lettings Plan is in place and the person’s support needs are such that they would be unsuitable for that property.
• Unable to contact the applicant, all efforts will be made to contact the applicant
• If the assessment of an applicant or household needs has not been fully completed, and an incomplete assessment might substantially misjudge the applicant’s housing and support needs
• If the nomination assessment indicates a need for further investigation, or re-investigation of circumstances (e.g. a change to the medical circumstances), the applicant will not be considered for nomination until the investigations are completed
• If information regarding a household’s application appears to be false or misleading and further investigation is required
• If the applicant does not attend a nomination assessment interview
• If the applicant does not co-operate with the nomination assessment procedure
• If an applicant has already been nominated for another property
• If a nomination assessment interview with the applicant is not possible to arrange within the agreed timescales.

If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind?

Yes. You will be given an opportunity to view the property and decide whether you would like to accept it.

Can I refuse a property once I have been nominated and still remain on the register?

Households are allowed two reasonable offers.  If you refuse 2 properties and they are considered by us to be reasonable offers you will be suspended from the Homesearch Register for 12 months.  This is subject to appeal.

Do Bath and North East Somerset Council receive all Housing Association properties that become available?

We are not asked to nominate to all properties that become vacant.

Bath and North East Somerset receive around 75% of empty properties. The Housing Associations retain 25% of their properties for internal transfers (tenants that are already housed with them but need to move to a more suitable property).

How can I advertise details of my properties on the mutual exchange register? 

You must already be a Housing Association tenant in Bath and North East Somerset and be registered on the Homesearch register. Log in to your account on the Homesearch website and select the option to add the details of your property to the mutual exchange register.  Next enter your property details.  It is important to enter your contact details as interested parties will contact you directly.  Please note that your contact details will be published on the Homesearch website and in the Homesearch newsletter.  We recommend that you exclude your name and enter your telephone number or an email address which does not contain your name. Adverts without contact details will not be published. It is also helpful if you include information about the accommodation you would like i.e bedroom size/areas considered. Please bear in mind that should you agree to exchange you will need to seek permission from both of your registered social landlords. If you have rent arrears or your property is in a bad condition you may not get permission from your registered social landlord to exchange.  Please exercise caution when arranging to visit other people's properties. The Council's role in mutual exchange is advertising only. Please contact the current occupier using the contact details shown for further information.  The Homesearch Team cannot verify the existence, property details, suitability or condition of mutual exchange properties being advertised nor can they accept any liability for any damage, accident, or injury which may occur due to your direct or indirect use of the advertising service.

If you are interested in a mutual exchange property you DO NOT need to bid. You should contact the person advertising their property directly.

If you would like to consider exchanging your property with someone in a different part of the UK you can register your details on Homeswapper

I would like to rent privately. How do I go about this?

Firstly ask the people you know who rent privately already, they may know of someone who has accommodation to let.  Also look on shop notice boards but the main source is through landlords or accommodation agents advertising in the local paper.  Some landlords will require a deposit and rent in advance. If you require assistance with the deposit, talk to SWAN Advice Network on 01761 432445 who will be able to tell you if you qualify for the deposit bond scheme that they operate.

I would like to be considered for low cost home ownership. How do I apply?

If you are considering buying a home but cannot afford to do so outright this could be an option for you either because you cannot afford the full mortgage payments or the deposit, or both.  Some schemes may offer you a purchase share in a property with an opportunity of buying more shares at a later date.  Other schemes will provide you with a loan to enable you to purchase a property of your own choosing.  Anyone who is interested in low cost home ownership needs to contact New Futures the Homebuy Agent for the North Zone of the South West. 

New Futures operates and maintains the Low Cost Home Ownership Register.  Housing Associations with low cost home ownership homes for sale obtain a list of potential purchasers from New Futures by matching details of applicants on the register to the properties available.

To obtain an application form and guidance notes from New Futures either telephone 0800 073 1315 or by website New Futures

I have changed my address. How do I inform you?

Please go to the Home page and download a Change of Address form

My circumstances have changed. How do I inform you?

Please go to the Home page and download a Change of Circumstances form.

My baby has just been born.  Do I need to notify you?

Yes. It is very important that you notify us in writing when your child is born as this could affect your bedroom entitlement.  

We require a photocopy of the letter which gives details of the child benefit.

We will then be able to add your child to your Homesearch application

I am about to be evicted for rent arrears. What should I do?

You need to get immediate advice from either a solicitor or a Housing Advice Agency to try and prevent this from happening.  You can also contact the Housing Options & Advice Team at Bath & North East Somerest on 01225 396296.

• SWAN Advice Network (01761 432445)
• Citizen Advice Bureau (01225 463333) 
• Shelter (0117 9248367)

I am about to become homeless. What should I do?

To discuss your housing options you can make an appointment to see a Housing Adviser at Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath or at Council Connect in Midsomer Norton.  We can also tell you your current housing rights and if required carry out a homelessness assessment to establish what duties the Authority has under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness law).  You can also contact SWAN Advice Network to discuss your housing options including looking for private rented accommodation and accessing the deposit bond scheme.

I am a rough sleeper. Why have I have not been placed in Group A (priority Group)

Not all applicants who are homeless are placed in Group A. Government legislation dictates the criteria which determine whether or not you are found to be statutorily homeless.  Housing Advisors must follow this legislation when they are assessing a person presenting as homeless.

I have a medical condition. Will this be taken into account?

If your housing is adversely affecting your health or could be greatly improved by moving you can ask for a Medical Form.  When we receive your fully completed and signed form an assessment will be carried out.  You will be advised of the outcome of the assessment in due course this however may take up to 8 weeks.  

Why does my registration letter state that I am only entitled to a 1-bedroom property when I have non-resident children who visit me regularly?

Generally you will not be considered for a larger property unless your child/ren are living with you for most of the time and you are in receipt of Child Benefit.

We have been assessed as having a 4 bedroom need. However, we know that there is a lack of 4 bedroom accommodation.  Will we be considered for 3 bedroom properties as well?

Due to the shortage of larger accommodation, families who need four or more bedrooms will be considered for large three bedroom properties.  The decision on whether the size of the accommodation is suitable for the family will ultimately be made by the Registered Social Landlord.

How do I increase the text size on the website?

To increase the text size please select View on the toolbar, then text size.

Is Homesearch literature available in a range of languages and formats?

Where possible we will provide Homesearch information in a range of languages, large print, Braille, on tape, electronic and accessible formats. We may also be able to recommend an agency who can assist you. For more information please contact the Homesearch Team on 01225 396118 or minicom 01225 477815. You can also email us using the Contact Form on the Homesearch website. Alternatively, please visit our main office in Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath.