Housing Department
Applying for a Council Home: Frequently Asked Questions.
How can I join the Housing Register? back to top
If you are aged 18 or over, you may apply to join our Housing Register (waiting list) unless you are either:
- a person subject to Immigration control,
- or a person from abroad who is subject to immigration control within the meaning of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 (there are some exceptions - if in doubt please ask), or
- you or a member of your household has been guilty of unacceptable behaviour making that person unsuitable to be a tenant at the time the application is considered.
If you are eligible to join the list we will write and tell you your application has been accepted, what accommodation you will be considered for and how many points you have been allocated.
If we decide that you are not eligible to apply, we will notify you, in writing, of our decision and the reason for it. You also have the right to request a review of our decision by writing directly to the Principal Housing Officer.
Can I apply to join the Housing Register if I don't live in the Berwick Borough? back to top
People who live outside the Berwick Borough can also apply to join our Housing Register but you will not be given any points apart from move closer points if awarded, (please refer to the Allocation Policy).
What happens when I am registered? back to top
Once you are accepted onto our Housing Register you must advise us of any change in circumstances as soon as possible. For example you must let us know of:
- Any change of address
- Pregnancy
- Medical Conditions
- Financial circumstances
Do I need to keep in touch with you? back to top
You will need to let us know if your circumstances change. You need to ensure that your Application is kept up to date.
We will contact you at the address you have placed on your Housing Register application on the anniversary of your application date. For example if you registered with us on 10 January 2004 then we will write to you on 10 January 2005. We will give you one month to complete and return our Re-Registration form to us. If you have not sent this form back within one month we will cancel your Housing Register Application.
If we cancel your Housing Register Application you will need to re-apply to us at a later date.
Where can I get more information and an application form? back to top
You can request a Housing Application and Housing Application Handbook form to be sent to you by:
- Email at kaw@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk
- By telephone to Kerry Williams on 01289 301748
- By visiting our housing office at the end of Wallace Green near the ramparts. The full address is:
Housing Unit
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
Council Offices
Wallace Green
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1ED
How long will I have to wait on the register? back to top
There is no fixed waiting time for an offer to be made. How long you wait will depend on:
- The number of empty properties of the type you want in the area you have requested.
- How many people there are on the register in greater need, (who will have more points), who are looking for the same type of property in the same area as you are.
The number of properties becoming empty in any area is outside of the Council’s control as it depends upon existing tenants moving or tenancies ending for other reasons.
What sort of property will I be offered? back to top
When you apply for a council house, you will be offered a property suitable for your needs or likely needs in the foreseeable future. Applicants are placed in groups according to their specific needs and within these groups your position on the Housing Register will depend on points awarded for housing needs. As a property becomes available it is offered to the person with the highest priority in the appropriate grouping for that type of property.
The list below shows the size and type of property that we aim to give tenants however, this is not always possible especially if you are in an emergency situation such as fleeing violence.
We decide how many bedrooms you need by looking at the number of adults in your household and the age and sex of any children.
Applicants who are given priority for medical, social or welfare reasons will be offered accommodation, which addresses their particular needs.
Examples of properties matching family size
- Single person or first time applicant = bedsit, 1 bedroom flat, house or bungalow. Or where there is nobody on the housing register a 2 bed flat;
- Couple = 1 Bedroom flat, bungalow, two bed flat or bungalow or where there in nobody on the housing register a 2 bed house.;
- Couple or single parent and 1 child = 2 Bedrooms;
- Couple or single parent and 2 children = 2 Bed, flat, house or bungalow. 3 bed flat or house.
- Couple or single parent and 3 children or more = 3 or 4 Bedrooms (depending on age and sex).
For a breakdown of our full lettings criteria please refer to the Allocation Policy.
Will my medical problems be taken into account? back to top
You can ask for a medical assessment if your health is made worse by living in your current accommodation. The assessment will be done by answering a questionnaire; you will not have to have a physical examination however a supporting letter from your doctor outlining why you home is unsuitable for your medical condition will be required.
How are empty properties offered? back to top
When a property becomes empty it is offered to the applicant on the Housing Register who has enough points for that type of property. The applicant will be sent a letter offering the tenancy of the property and advising where it is and how much the rent charges are.
The letter will tell you who you should contact you to arrange a time to view the property. If you do not contact the Area Office within 5 working days, the offer will be withdrawn.
What If I am offered a property which I do not want to accept? back to top
With the exception of homeless applicants, you will be able to refuse one offer of accommodation without any affect on your application.
If you refuse a second offer, the reasons you give for the refusal will be carefully considered. If it is felt that the reasons are not reasonable, your application will be suspended from consideration for six months. This means that you will not be considered for any further vacancies which occur during that six month period.
If I am interested in an offer made, when will I be able to view the property? back to top
As soon as we receive the keys from an outgoing tenant, a Repairs and Maintenance Officer will inspect the property, and arrange for all necessary repair work and safety checks to be carried out.
You will not be able to go into the property during this time, since the Council must restrict access for safety reasons.
Once all the work has been completed, you will be contacted by letter or telephone to arrange a time for you to look at the property.
What happens next if I accept the offer? back to top
If you are happy with the property and accept the offer we will arrange a sign-up. At the sign-up we will explain what it means to be a Council tenant and you will be asked to sign a tenancy agreement prior to moving into your new home. The tenancy agreement contains the do’s and don’ts of being a Council tenant.
How can I get help if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness? back to top
Contact the Council's Housing section as soon as possible for help and advice. If you need any Housing Advice then you may contact us by email, by telephone or call into our office at Wallace Green. For further information on homelessness please refer to the section on homelessness.
What if I am offered housing by a Housing Association? back to top
Housing Associations and other social housing providers often work with the Council to provide housing for local residents who are on the Housing Register. When your turn is reached on the register you may be asked if you are interested in Housing Association accommodation. If you are, the Council will put your name forward and the Housing Association, when they let us know that they have an empty property, will contact you and go through their allocation procedure.
Does the Council have any sheltered accommodation? back to top
The Council has sheltered accommodation in three areas; Scremerston, Seahouses and Wooler. These are usually one bedroomed flats or bungalows. Nursing care is not provided and applicants must be of pensionable age or disabled.
What if I need a property that has adaptations to suit a disability? back to top
If you are already a Council Tenant you may be able to get some adaptations made to your home to help with your disabilities. The Housing Unit works closely with the Occupational Therapy Department in Social Services, and so the Council could adapt your current property to meet your needs. If you need aids or adaptations you can contact the Occupational Therapy Department direct. You will then be contacted to arrange for an Occupational Therapist to visit you to assess your needs and advise you on what aids or adaptations you can have.
How can I get a transfer to a larger property? back to top
Once you have been a Council tenant for twelve months you can register to transfer to another property. The allocation of a property is the same as for applicants on the Housing Register, that is, properties are allocated on a points based order.
Can I swap my Council property for someone else's? back to top
This is called a "Mutual Exchange" and you can swap once you are a secure tenant, (briefly, that is if you have been a tenant for at least twelve months). You could swap council properties, including properties outside the Berwick Borough if the other landlord agrees. Some conditions apply, such as the number of people who will occupy each property, there must be no rent arrears, and the Council must inspect any alterations done and condition of the property before you exchange.
How can I move to another area of the country? back to top
A national scheme called "HOMES" tries to help tenants who want to move elsewhere in the UK. Some qualifying rules apply, but you may have a better chance of success if you have a "local connection", for example, if you have a job or family in the locality.
How do I find out where I am on the housing register? back to top
You can find out where you are on the housing register by contacting the Repairs and Lettings office at Wallace Green on the above address. Please have your registration number to hand when you contact the Council as this will enable us to help you a lot quicker.
How do I get priority need? back to top
We decide on levels of need by assessing the information that you put on your application form, however, if your circumstances change please inform your housing officer.
What if I am not happy with the way my application has been dealt with? back to top
If you think that your application has been included or removed from the register, you should initially contact the Principal Housing Officer to check the information in an attempt to resolve the problem informally.
If you remain dissatisfied, you can formally request a review of the decision to exclude or remove your application. This must be done within 21 days of the notification of the decision to remove your application.
Formal reviews are considered by the Head of Property and Housing.
How do I appeal against an Offer? back to top
Applicants who believe an offer of housing is not suitable have a right to an appeal against the offer. The internal appeal is considered by either the Principal Housing Officer or the Head of Property and Housing.
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