Frequently asked questions

Category » Housing

There were 32 questions found in this category:

1. Online forms?
   please click here to be taken to our online Form Rack
2. Can I join the Housing Need Register if live out of the area?
   Yes, however we aim to give priority for homes to local people. If you do not have a local connection your application will be placed in Band 5. To have a local connection, you or your family must have been: Living in this area through choice for either 6 months during the last year, or 3 yea ...
3. Can I make an online payment?
   Online payments can be made at Online payment site
4. How can I pay my garage rent?
   PAYING RENT FOR YOUR GARAGE - CHANGES At the moment we collect the rent for your home and for your garage as a combined amount. In future we will need to collect the two amounts separately. We are making this change because we need to keep separate accounts for garage and home rents. We also ne ...
5. How do you decide who will be offered a home?
   When we have an empty home, we have to decide who will be offered it. We consider two factors; Who is in the highest position on the register, and Who is the property the most suitable for. We start off by considering applications which have been placed in Band 1, the highest band. If it is n ...
6. How is the rent for my home worked out?
   All council rents are calculated using a government formula. This gives a target rent figure that needs to be achieved by 2012. The formula takes into account property size, property value, national & county average earnings, national average rent and a prescribed rate of inflation. Actual rent ...
7. How to apply for a right to buy?
   Step 1 - Applying to buy Start by asking the Council's Housing Department for the Right to Buy claim form (Form RTB1). The Council must give you one for free if you ask. Fill in the form carefully. It is used to decide: - whether you have the Right to Buy; and how much discount you will get. (B ...
8. How will the Housing Act 2004 affect me?
   This information can be found on the ODPM Web Site Fact Sheet
9. I forgot to tell you something on my housing needs register
   Any change you now tell us about may affect your banding and position. We will make these changes effective from when you tell us – we will not backdate these changes. Any change that you may have needs to be put in writing to the Housing Options team
10. I have an issue with my tenancy agreement and landlord, who do I contact?
    The Canterbury Housing Advice Centre (CHAC) may be able to help you and give you some free advice contact 01227 762 605 for more information.
11. I haven’t been given any priority for my medical needs since the changes to the housing needs register?
    (i) Did you include the details on your review form? (ii) Your case may still need to be seen by the medical and welfare panel
12. I need to talk to someone regarding fair rents, who do I talk to?
    The Rent Officer Service may be able to help you with this information. You can contact them on 08450 26 46 96 or NSOhelpdesk@voa.gsi.gov.uk
13. I want to rent my property to the Council, can you help?
    We have a scheme which is run by Avenue Lettings which can allow you to do this. Please contact them on 0845 064 4000 for more information.
14. I was better off on the old system, why did you change the housing needs register?
    The policies we had before allowed us to look at different groups of people in different ways e.g. offering properties to tenants in order to maximise stock. The new changes mean that everybody is on a true waiting list based on their individual circumstances. We now have a more transparent p ...
15. What are Housing bands?
    Everyone who joins the Register will have their application placed in one of five bands. Applicants in Band 1 will have the highest housing need, those in Band 5 the lowest. We work out what band your application will be placed in by considering your housing needs. The factors, which we take in ...
16. What are the housing need factors?
    We work out what band your application will be placed in by considering your housing needs. The factors which we take into account are listed below, please click on the factor for a brief explanation.Band 1 Factors Special case accepted High medical or welfare need Single Agency Assessment ...
17. What is a Non-secure tenancy?
    A non-secure tenancy is a temporary tenancy and is not covered by this tenancy agreement.
18. What is a Secure tenant?
    By law, secure tenants have the right to stay in a property provided they keep to the tenancy conditions. We cannot remove a secure tenant from a property unless a court grants an 'order of possession'.
19. What is housing mutual exchange registration?
    Housing mutual exchange registration link
20. What is right to buy?
    Right to buy information link