Home-Options is a different way of allocating homes owned by the Council and Housing Associations. It will not provide more homes but it will allow you to see all the vacancies that arise in the Derbyshire Dales, High Peak and Amber Valley.
Most Homeseekers will not get the opportunity to rent accommodation with a Council or Housing Association as there are many more Homeseekers than vacancies. Therefore Homeseekers will need to consider alternative solutions to their housing difficulties.
Here are some alternative Housing Options you may wish to consider.
Private Rented Accommodation
Private rented accommodation can include lodgings, renting your own flat or house or shared accommodation. Your landlord will be a private individual or company. Living in private rented accommodation you will either be a tenant or a licensee.
Private renting offers you the freedom to find the type of accommodation you require in the area you wish to live.
If you decide to go ahead, you will need to get cash together for a deposit and usually one month's rent in advance. If you are on a low income or benefit and you need help with paying a deposit for rented accommodation, Home-Options operate a deposit guarantee schemes in some circumstances. Instead of paying a cash deposit a written guarantee will be provided for the landlord which covers rent arrears and any damage to the property. Contact your local Home-Options office for more details.
Amber Valley operates a Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme. To participate in this scheme an application has to be made and checks are made to sure that the property is in a good state of repair and affordable. The deposit amount paid is equal to 4 weeks rental amount and a cash payment is made directly to the landlord of the property that you have found.
Erewash Borough Council operates a Bond Guarantee Scheme. The scheme provides landlords with a written guarantee for a deposit up to the value of a months rent to a maximum of £500. To participate in this scheme an application has to be made and a financial assessment taken to establish whether the property is affordable. If the landlord makes a claim against the bond at the end of the tenancy you will be recharged.
You must not take up a tenancy and then apply for the deposit/bond guarantee to be paid after, we will not be able to do this in any circumstances. You should contact the Housing Choices Team for Amber Valley Housing Limited or Erewash Borough Council who will be able to help you with making the application and guide you through the process. Both of the above schemes are available for applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Mutual Exchange
Tenants of Housing Associations and Council houses may be able to swap their home if they are a secure or assured tenants. This is called a mutual exchange. In a mutual exchange, two or more tenants exchange their homes and take on the terms of each other's tenancy.
Both secure and assured tenants have the right to exchange homes. Assured shorthold tenants and some tenants occupying purpose-built units do NOT have the right to a mutual exchange, although we may allow it in appropriate circumstances.
If you are a tenant of a Council or Housing Association please contact your landlord for further details or visit www.home-options.org/MX.
Discounted Homes
These were properties sold on the open market that were built on Council owned land. Owners who decide to sell have to inform the Council that the property is to be advertised. HomeSeekers who register with the Council are informed of the sale prior to the property being advertised on the open market.
For more information contact your local Home-Options office.
Traditional Shared Ownership
Under this scheme, a housing association will sell you a newly built property on a part buy / part rent basis. This means that you buy a share of the property in the normal way by means of a mortgage and/or savings, and you pay a subsidised rent to the housing association on the remaining share. The amount of share initially purchased is normally between 25% and 75%. If you sell the property, the percentage of the proceeds you receive is equal to the percentage of the property you own. If you wish, you can buy further shares in the property as your financial circumstances improve. Eventually you may be able to own the property outright.
You will need to register with Home-Options to be considered for Shared Ownership properties. Available properties in this scheme will be advertised on this Home-Options website and in the fortnightly property list.
HomeBuy
HomeBuy is a government funded programme, of low cost affordable home ownership. It covers the following broad types of product:
Open Market HomeBuy
My Choice Homebuy with Metropolitan Home Ownership, offers equity loans between 15% - 50% to help social housing tenants, waiting list applicants, first time buyers and some key workers onto the property ladder. For further information call 0845 602 7184.
Own Home with Places for People, offers equity loans between 20% - 40% to help social housing tenants, waiting list applicants, first time buyers and some key workers onto the property ladder. For further information call 0845 607 0110.
New Build HomeBuy
New Build HomeBuy is designed to help people who cannot afford to purchase a property outright. It enables eligible people to usually buy either, 25%, 50% or 75% of a property by way of a mortgage or cash purchase and you will then simply pay a subsidised rent on the remainder.
Social HomeBuy
Social HomeBuy is designed to enable tenants to purchase a share in the property that they are currently renting. Not all Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are able to offer this scheme and it is limited to eligible tenants.
East Midlands Housing Association act as a 'One stop shop' offering information, advice and access to low cost home ownership schemes in the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. By talking to their 'EMIHomeBuy' team prospective purchasers can find out more about govrnment sponsored home ownership initiatives.
For further information check their website www.emhomebuy.org.uk or call 0844 892 0112.
Services That Help You Maintain Your Existing Home
There are services to help you maintain your existing home or your tenancy or to assist you to look for alternative accommodation.
More information on these can be provided through your local Home-Options office.