The main way to find a home with us is through Wyre Forest Home Choice (this was previously known as Home Choice Plus).

Getting started with Wyre Forest Home Choice Plus (previously Home Choice Plus)

1. Register online at wyreforesthomechoice.org.uk.
2. Browse available properties on the website.
3. Bid for homes that match your needs.
4. Properties are offered to people in the highest housing need, who have been waiting the longest.

All housing advice and homelessness support is provided by Wyre Forest District Council. You can contact them:

• Phone: 01562 732928.
• Email: housingadviceteam@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.
• Visit: WFDC Kidderminster HUB, Green Street, Kidderminster DY10 1HA.
• Website: www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/housing-and-homes.

Property size guidelines

We match property sizes to household needs, following Wyre Forest Home Choice Allocation Policy criteria. While we usually stick to these guidelines, we may make exceptions for special circumstances like medical needs or specific social requirements. Our allocation process ensures fair distribution of homes while making the best use of available properties.

CURRENT COMMUNITY HOUSING TENANTS

Moving to a smaller home

If your home is too big for your needs, we can help you move to a more suitable property through our Assisted Transfer Scheme, which includes financial support. Register with wyreforesthomechoice.org.uk. to start the process.

Need more space?

If your home is overcrowded, we'll help you find a larger property through wyreforesthomechoice.org.uk. While you're waiting, we'll provide support and advice to help manage your current situation.

To be considered for a Community Housing tenancy, you must:

• Not have any rent arrears outstanding.
• Keep your application on Home Choice Plus updated with any changes in your circumstances.
• Respond promptly to information requests.
• Have a clear history regarding anti-social behaviour.
• Pay rent in advance when moving in (regardless of benefit entitlement).

Keys

We always change the locks when a new tenancy starts (unless you are doing a mutual exchange). When you sign your tenancy agreement, we give you two sets of keys for your new home. We do not retain a spare set, so you must look after them. If you lose them, you will be recharged for the full cost of replacing the locks. Spare keys/fobs to communal areas can be purchased from our Foley Grove office.

Lettable Standard

The Community Housing Lettable Standard describes the standard you can expect of your new home. Before you move in, your new home will be inspected so we can make sure that it is safe and secure, clean and free from the need for immediate maintenance.

To avoid causing any unnecessary delays, we may carry out some minor repairs after you move in. We will agree any post-let work and timescales with you before you sign your tenancy agreement. We will also let you know if there are any future planned repairs or improvement to your new home.

Decoration

When viewing your property, you will be told if any decorating vouchers will be provided. The amount offered is intended to be a contribution towards the cost of redecorating - it will not cover the whole cost of decorating your property. Vouchers will be issued after you've signed your tenancy agreement and must be spent on decorating materials and tools. It covers paint and some decorating equipment.

Property improvements

If you wish to make alterations or improvements to your property, you should put the request in writing to the Customer Service Centre providing as much detail as possible. You must not start any works until after permission is given.

Utility bills

You will be responsible for setting up utility accounts in your name for your new home.

Paying your rent is your responsibility

We understand that sometimes, it's tempting to leave your rent for a week or so because you want or need to spend the money on something else. But did you know that by doing this, you are breaking your tenancy agreement which you signed when you first moved into your home?

If you think you may have difficulty in paying your rent, you should contact us immediately to discuss the situation. You may be able to get help with your rent payments by claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

If we don't know about your situation, we can't help you. Our staff are specially trained to advise you. We may make an arrangement with you to pay off the arrears on a regular basis and will do our best to make sure this arrangement is fair and affordable.

What happens if you don't pay your rent?

If you simply don't pay your rent, or don't pay the agreed amount to reduce any rent arrears, we may contact you by:

• Letter.
• Telephone.
• Text Message.
• Email.
• In person at your home.

We do this to make you aware of the situation and so that you can take steps to pay off the arrears.

Please don't ignore letters or phone calls. The arrears will not go away, and we will work extremely hard to collect them. We use the income from rents to deliver services and provide new homes, so we owe it to all tenants and to you to ensure all rent and arrears are collected as quickly as possible.

Remember: You are at risk of losing your home if you do not pay your rent.

Ways to pay

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to pay your rent. Here are details of the different ways you can pay.

The Community Housing 'Lettable Standard' describes the standard you can expect of your new home. Before you move in, your new home will be inspected so we can make sure it is safe & secure, clean, and free from the need for immediate maintenance.

To avoid causing any unnecessary delays, we may carry out some minor repairs after you move in but we will agree on what the work will be and timescales with you before you sign your tenancy agreement.

We will also let you know if there are any future planned repairs or improvements to your new home.

Clean and clear

• Your home will be presentable; cleared of any items of rubbish and builders waste, this includes any loft space, sheds, garages or balconies.
• Gardens will be clear of rubbish, trees and hedges will be cut back to be left in a manageable condition.
• All kitchen cupboards, sinks, drainers, worktops and units will be cleaned and disinfected.
• All sanitary ware, baths, wash hand basins and toilets will be clean and disinfected.
• Any wall tiling, grout and sealant will all be clean and intact and not discoloured.
• Electric socket, light fittings and door handles to be clean.
• Floors will be swept and mopped.
• All woodwork, windowsills and radiator fins will be cleaned and wiped down.
• Any carpets will be vacuumed.
• Any vinyl or tiled floors will be clean and mopped.
• Windows will be cleaned internally.
• Any wrapping and packaging from any new fittings will be removed, and taken from site.

Safe and secure

Your home will be safe:

• We carry out a gas and electrical safety check and provide you with the certificates.
• We will check the age and condition of the heating system.
• Where required we will replace the heat source and/or system, to meet the decent homes standards and remove the old system.
• We will provide at least one smoke detector on each floor, which will be fully functional and in date.
• We will provide a carbon monoxide alarm where required which will have been tested and in date.
• Open and functioning chimneys are swept.
• Any polystyrene ceiling tiles will be removed.
• We check for the presence of asbestos and take action where necessary to make it safe or to remove it.
• Walls and floors to be sound and free from any damp or mould growth.

Your home will be secure:

• All external doors and windows will be safe & secure, will be wind and watertight, and open and close properly.
• External doors will be fitted with replacement locks, and you will be provided with a minimum of 2 sets of keys.
• If there is a door entry system, it will be checked and 2 entry key fobs will be provided.
• All opening windows will open freely; any locking windows will be provided with a minimum of 2 sets of keys.
• Window handles, catches and restrictors will all be checked for correct operation.
• All broken or failed glass will be replaced.

Kitchen and bathroom

• Your home will have a supply of hot and cold water to the kitchen and bathroom.
• All sinks, baths and toilets and associated plumbing and pipework will be in working order.
• All waste pipe work will be safe, secure and free from leaks.
• Any missing plugs and chains will be replaced.
• A means of natural or mechanical ventilation will be provided.
• A non-slip floor covering will be provided.

Kitchen

• There will be an adequate number of drawers and cupboards appropriate for the size of your property.
• Kitchen units, worktops, drawers, and sinks will be safe, clean and in good working order.
• There will be space for a cooker with one electric cooker point (and a gas supply if already installed).
• A fridge/fridge freezer space and where possible, a washing machine space with plumbing will be provided (unless laundry facilities available).

Bathroom

• The bathroom suite will be in good working order, all fittings will be clean, hygienic and free from stains or cracks.
• A clean toilet seat will be securely fitted, and where applicable, a new shower curtain will be provided.
• Bathroom and separate toilet doors will be lockable.
• Shower hose and head will be replaced with new.

Stairs, floors, doors and joinery

• In your home the stairs and floors will be safe and secure, ready for flooring to be laid.
• The staircase and handrail will be securely fixed.
• Missing, damaged or loose skirtings and floorboards will be repaired/replaced.
• Missing and or damaged doors will be replaced or repaired and will be left in good working order and free from trip hazards.

Walls and ceilings

• All nails, screws, picture hooks, etc, will be removed from walls and ceilings.
• Wall and ceiling plaster will be in satisfactory condition, with any holes or cracks filled.
• Removal of old thermostats and pullcord fittings.

Decoration

• All walls and ceilings will be free of graffiti, mould growth and or polystyrene tiles.
• All walls will be prepared and ready for decoration.
• For our Independent Living Scheme's, we will decorate as standard.

External

• Your roof will be inspected to ensure they are watertight and free from defect.
• Gutter and drainage systems will be free flowing and where appropriate fitted with suitable covers.
• Any outbuildings will be in a satisfactory state of repair, clear of any rubbish and keys provided for locks.
• Gardens will be clear of rubbish, Garden shrubs, grass and hedges will be cut back to be left in a manageable condition. This will include pruning of tree's that exceed 3m in height.
• Paths, steps and driveways are stable, even and firmly bedded free from hazard.
• All ponds or pools will be filled in or removed.
• Where there are walls and fences to external boundaries and privacy panels are they will be checked and left in good condition.
• Boundary fencing between neighbours is in place.
• We will be responsible for maintaining the area within 2m of the building for access in and around the home - this does not include the cutting of grass or basic cleaning of pathways.

What we will do

• Ensure your home meets this standard.
• Read the utility meters before you move in.
• Show you the location of the main stop tap and make sure it is in good working order.
• Provide you with an EPC certificate, gas certificate and electrical certificate.
• Inform you of any major works that are planned in the near future.
• Show you how to operate the heating and hot water systems.
• Explain Lifeline/alarm system when appropriate.
• Any fixtures and fittings left by the previous tenant that you want left for you, will become your responsibility to repair or replace in the future.
• We will visit you within 14 days of moving in to ensure things are to your satisfaction.

What we want you to do

• Take care of your new home and if you want to return it to us, we would appreciate it if you could return it to us in good condition, removing your belongings and any rubbish.
• Allow us reasonable access to your home so that we can complete any agreed work on moving in.
• Be respectful and polite to our staff, we will always do our best to help.

Moving to a smaller home

If your home is too big for your needs, we can help you move to a more suitable property through our Assisted Transfer Scheme, which includes financial support. Register with Wyre Forest Home Choice to start the process.

Need more space?

If your home is overcrowded, we'll help you find a larger property through Wyre Forest Home Choice. While you're waiting, we'll provide support and advice to help manage your current situation.

A mutual exchange lets you swap your home with another tenant. This can be a great way to find a more suitable home if you need to move to a different area or need a different size property.

You can swap homes with:

• Another Community Housing tenant.
• A tenant from another housing association.
• A local authority tenant.

Who can exchange?

You must be an assured lifetime tenant to qualify for a mutual exchange. If you're on a starter tenancy (assured shorthold), you'll need to wait until your starter period ends before you can exchange.

Finding an exchange partner

We provide free access to Homeswapper, a national exchange register. Through Homeswapper you can:

• Advertise your property to potential exchange partners.
• Search for properties across the country.
• Contact other tenants interested in exchanging.
• Get notifications about potential matches.

Important conditions for exchange

Before applying, make sure you meet these requirements:

• Your rent account must be clear with no arrears.
• Your home and garden need to be in good condition, ready for someone else to move in.
• You must have written permission for any alterations you've made to your property.
• There should be no history of anti-social behaviour from you or members of your household.

Safety checks and costs

From 30 September 2024, you'll need to pay for required safety checks:

• Electric check: £100.
• Gas test: £50 These must be paid for before the checks can take place.

How to apply

1. Find someone to exchange with through Homeswapper.
2. Download the application form or collect one from our office at Foley Grove.
3. Make sure all current residents complete the necessary paperwork.
4. Pay rent in advance for your new property (required for all new tenancies).
5. Wait for approval - we'll process your application once we have all required forms.

Remember: We can't start processing your exchange until we receive all necessary applications from everyone involved.

Application Form

Need help with mutual exchanges? Email us at information@communityhousing.co.uk for guidance.

We're committed to helping residents live independently in homes that meet their needs. We carefully manage our adapted properties and funding for new adaptations to help as many residents as possible.

Our priority properties for adaptations

We focus our adaptation resources on:

• Independent Living Schemes: Purpose-built accommodation with existing accessibility features.
• Bungalows: Single-level living that's easier to adapt.
• Ground Floor Flats: Naturally more accessible and suitable for adaptations.

Need to discuss property adaptations? Contact your Neighbourhood Coordinator for advice about your options.

Our lettings policy follows key legislation including:

• Housing Act 1996 (as amended).
• Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Localism Act 2011.
• Equality Act 2010.

Note: This is a summary of our lettings policy. For full details or specific queries, please contact us directly. Email us at information@communityhousing.co.uk.