Allocations to new homes in Christow Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes are there? There are 14 affordable homes for rent 3 x 2 bedroom bungalows 4 x 2 bedroom houses 5 x 3 bedroom houses 2 x 4 bedroom houses
How much will the rent be? The rents are currently estimated as follows but it is too early for final valuations so they may be subject to change: 2 bedroom homes - £126.92 per week 3 bedroom homes - £137.98 per week 4 bedroom homes - £156.38 per week
How will the homes be allocated? They will be advertised for people in housing need on Devon Home Choice. To be considered for a home interested people should ensure they get registered on www.devonhomechoice.com. If anyone has difficulties applying they can contact Clare Beach on 01626 322783.
What does housing need mean? At least one member of the applicant household is registered with Devon Home Choice in Band A-D or is regarded as making a ‘community contribution’ or to be in ‘economic need’.
What is Community Contribution? Community contribution is defined as…. Applicants in paid or unpaid employment for more than 16 hours per week for a period of more than 12 months; Example roles include: o School Governor o Parish Councillor o Community Land Trust Board Director o Church Warden o Member of the PTFA o Acorn Volunteers o Recipients of the Christow Parish Award o Organisers of Sports / Social Clubs o Member of Teign Valley Community Hall Committee Any other “significant” contribution in respect of time and duration.
What does economic need mean? Economic need is defined as where income is insufficient to afford or to sustain to rent or to purchase a property suitable to your household’s needs in Christow.
I think I make a community contribution and/or I’m in economic need but I can’t register on Devon Home Choice – what do I do now? Contact Clare Beach at Teign Housing on 01626 322783.
I used to be on Devon Home Choice but my application got closed as I was in Band E, am I not eligible? You may still be eligible if you are in housing need, have a strong local connection to Christow and you can evidence that you make a community contribution to the village or if you are in economic need. If you meet these criteria you may be placed in Band D. Please contact Clare Beach on 01626 322783 if you have been unable to register or update your application.
I have been unable to register on Devon Home Choice; does that mean I’m not eligible? If you do not have a housing need, do not meet the local person criteria, do not meet the community contribution or economic need criteria then you are not eligible. There is an expectation that if you would like housing in Christow that you find this via the private sector.
Do I have to live in Christow to get a home? No, but priority is being given to people from Christow, followed by people from adjacent parishes.
How do I qualify as a local person? You must meet one of the following definitions (a) to (f).
(a) A person currently living in Christow, having done so for a continuous period of at least 5 years.
(b) A person who has lived in Christow for a continuous period of at least 5 years, but has moved away in the past 3 years.
(c) A person who has a strong local connection to Christow, for example: A person who is employed in Christow or whose work is primarily carried out within that parish, having done so for a continuous period of at least 2 years
A person with a family member who is living in Christow and has done so for a continuous period of at least 5 years.
A person whose upbringing or a significant part of their upbringing took place in Christow
A person currently living in Christow, having done so for a continuous period of at least 12 months These examples are not in any priority order.
(d) A person currently living in the parish of Ashton, Bridford, Doddiscombsleigh, Hennock or Trusham having done so for a continuous period of at least 5 years.
(e) A person who has lived in the parish of Ashton, Bridford, Doddiscombsleigh, Hennock or Trusham for a continuous period of at least 5 years, but has moved away in the past 3 years
(f) A person who has a strong local connection to the parish of Ashton, Bridford, Doddiscombsleigh, Hennock or Trusham for example:
A person who is employed in that parish or whose work is primarily carried out within that parish, having done so for a continuous period of at least 2 years
A person with a family member who is living in that parish and has done so for a continuous period of at least 5 years.
A person whose upbringing or a significant part of their upbringing took place in that parish
A person currently living in that parish, having done so for a continuous period of at least 12 months
These examples are not in any priority order.
What if there are more local people than available homes? Where two or more applicants meet these criteria preference is given to (a) first then in alphabetical order to (f). We will then apply the Devon Home Choice banding criteria which assess housing need. Are the bungalows for older people? Where more than one applicant meets the local person criteria (a) to (d), additional preference will be given to applicants who are aged 65 or over or those who are in need of a level access home, followed by bedroom need.
I am a single person/couple will I get a home? You will be able to bid on the 2 bedroom homes. If you meet the local person criteria (a) to (d) we may allow you to under-occupy a 2 bedroom home if the rent is affordable for you. We will require proof of income. If there are more people with a 2 bedroom need who meet the local person criteria (a) to (d) than we have homes available, preference will be given to those with a 2 bedroom need first.
I have a 2 bedroom need, can I also bid on a 3 bedroom home? Yes, you will be able to bid on 2 and 3 bedroom homes, under-occupation and preference will be applied as above.
I have a 3 bedroom need, can I also bid on a 4 bedroom home? Yes, you will be able to bid on 3 and 4 bedroom homes, under-occupation and preference will be applied as above.
When will the homes be advertised? Homes are currently being advertised through Devon Home Choice until 30th November 2015.
What do I need to do to register my interest? You will need to place a bid (this is registering interest not money) on the homes you are interested in. You can place bids on homes the right size and one larger than you are eligible for.
What happens after I place my bid? We will send a local person qualifying questionnaire to all applicants who placed a bid. These will need to be returned within a given timescale. Once that deadline is reached we will short-list the applicants and applicants being considered will be contacted to arrange for them to come in for a pre-tenancy interview.
What is a pre-tenancy interview? This is an informal meeting where we talk you about your housing history and take some more details about you, your household and your housing need. You will be asked to bring along ID, proof of income and evidence of your local person qualification.
What if it is difficult to evidence I am a local person? With your permission we will contact the Christow Community Land Trust and Parish Council to see if they can confirm you are a local person.
What happens next if I get offered a home? We will arrange for you to view it nearer to completion and you will be invited to sign a tenancy for your new home – we will talk to you more about that nearer the time.
What sort of tenancy will I be on? It will be an Affordable Rent Fixed Term tenancy for 5 years, this will have a probationary period of 12 months in addition to this if you are not currently living in social housing.
If I get a home will I have the right to buy it later? If you were an assured or secure tenant of Teignbridge District Council before 4th February 2004 you are likely to have the preserved right to buy your home. This means that if you move into a new home in Christow and decide that you would like to buy it later on, we will normally sell it to you, as long as certain criteria have been met. There may also be some additional criteria around selling on your home to local people.
If you became or become a tenant of Teign Housing after 4th February 2004 you will not have the right to acquire your home.
I’m interested in the homes for sale, how do I apply? There are 4 homes for sale:
2 x 2 bedroom bungalows 2 x 2 bedroom houses
There are being marketed through Help to Buy South West. You can apply at www.helptobuysw.org.uk
I have more questions, who can I contact? Jolene Hibble at Teign Housing Tel: 01626 322744 Email: [email protected]