Housing Services

Allocations and Transfers

The Association has an open waiting list and anyone over the age of 16 can apply for rehousing. Our allocation policy gives priority to applicants who demonstrate an element of housing need as determined by our points system, such as overcrowding, underoccupation, medical need etc. We also have an agreement with South Lanarkshire Council to accept a quota of applicants from the Councils waiting list within a nomination arrangement and these applicants must also be in housing need to qualify for a house.

Applying for a House

Application forms are available on request from the office, either by post, or by calling in person. You can also download an application form from our website. Documentary evidence to confirm your current address is required with the completed form - This could be a copy bank statement, benefit book or something similar.

Your completed housing application will be assessed, pointed, and you will be contacted within approximately 14 days of receipt. If we have all the information we require, you will be advised in writing of your points total and placed on the waiting list until a suitable house becomes available. If you have zero points you will be placed on a deferred list, pending any change in your circumstances allowing access to the waiting list. If we do not have enough information to process your application we will write to you and advise what we require.

Internal Transfers

Tenants of the Association can apply for a transfer if they have carried out the tenancy to the Association?s satisfaction, held a clear rent account for a twelve month period prior to the allocation and have no rechargeable repair accounts outstanding. Once again, housing need will be used to decide the priority for rehousing, however, the Association also allow up to 5% of our annual turnover to tenants wishing to move based on their own choice, i.e. where no current housing need exists.

Choice Based Transfers

The Association will allow 5% of lets each year to existing tenants wishing to exercise their wish to move through choice. This is in acknowledgement of the fact that the majority of our stock is tenement properties, and it is reasonable that some tenants may wish to be considered for a move to a house despite having no obvious housing need. Tenants wishing to move to another property of the same size in other areas within the Association?s stock will also be considered in this category. The Association will occasionally advertise certain properties on our reception notice board to assist tenants within the area gain access to information about available choice based transfers, within the area.

Mutual Exchanges

You may wish to exchange your house with either another tenant of the Association or a tenant of an alternative landlord eg. South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Homes or another Housing Association. Permission must be granted by the Association and the other landlord in order for the exchange to take place. If the Association has reason to believe that the person you wish to exchange with may be a problem tenant, we reserve the right to refuse the exchange.

If you would like further information on any aspect of the Associations Allocations Policy, a copy of the policy or a leaflet, then these are available on request from the office. We can also provide you with details of the HOMES Mobility scheme, which can assist people needing to move to another area.

H.O.M.E.S Mobility Scheme

The Association participate in the HOMES Mobility scheme, which is a national scheme which gives access to available housing throughout the country. To qualify for a HOMES move there are certain conditions that need to apply, such as the applicant is moving to give or receive support, to be closer to a workplace, or is fleeing harassment. Confirmation of the particular situation is required before an allocation is made. An application form for HOMES is available at the Association's office.

Homeswap is a similar service to HOMES but it gives tenants an opportunity to exchange their property with another tenant anywhere in the country. Tenants can register for the scheme by contacting HOMES, PO Box 1175, London, SW1V 1ZG. Registration allows online checking of potential exchanges or this information can also be viewed via lists of potential exchanges contained at the Associations office.

Moving Out

When you want to end your tenancy you must give four week?s notice in writing to the Association. Your tenancy will be ended from the date on your tenancy termination form and your keys should be returned by mid day on that date. Failure to return keys on time may result in a further rental charge being incurred.

You must leave the property cleared of furniture, in a clean condition with no damage to fixtures or fittings and please remember to take final gas and electric meter readings. If you have any household items which you do not wish to keep you should contact the Cleansing Department who will uplift them free of charge, providing you follow the correct procedure for uplift(Cleansing Department Tel 01698 717777) . If the Association has to remove any items of furniture or carpets we will charge accordingly.