FAQ's

Applying for Accommodation

• How do I apply for one of your properties?

• To apply for one of our properties you have to have registered with leeds Homes. To register contact www.leedshomes.org.uk Our staff will be able to help you or contact Leeds homes direct on 0113 247 6313.

• How long will I be waiting to be rehoused? What if I refuse an offer?

• Unfortunately we cannot specify how long you will be waiting before you are re-housed, as it depends on the demand of the properties at the time.   If you are offered a property and you refuse it, this does not affect you bidding on other properties. But it could affect your priority status.

• What areas do you have accommodation in?

• Leeds Homes service offers properties all over the Leeds area.

• How much is the rent?

• Rent varies depending on the property; you can get details on rents from any of our officers and is generally stated on the advert.

• Can I go on your waiting list if I own my own home?

• Yes you can.

• Can I keep pets?

• You must ask our permission first this is not generally withheld unreasonably. However, you may not keep any animal in the property without our written consent. 'Pet' includes a dog, cat, small caged bird, rodent, rabbit, non-venomous insects and small non-venomous reptiles or fish.  Where your home is a flat and has a common entrance, you must not keep any animal except small caged birds, small rodents, non-venomous insects and fish in the property.

• What happens once I am on the waiting list?

• Once you have registered on Leeds Homes you will need to bid for properties suitable for your needs.

• Will I be able to have a look at a property if I am offered it?

• Yes you will be able to view the property and an officer from Unity will accompany you.

• What happens if I don't accept the property I am offered?

• If you do not accept the property you are offered this does not affect you in any way.  You are able to go back onto Leeds Homes and continue putting bids on other properties, however if you hold a priority card and refuse a suitable property your priority status may be affected (this will be discussed with you, at your local advice centre).

• Can you tell me how the choice based lettings system works?

• For details of the Leeds Homes service log on to www.leedshomes.org.uk or telephone 0113 247 6313.

• Can I claim housing benefit /How do a complete a claim form?

• Housing Staff will help you complete a Housing Benefit form and also verify this

• Where else can I find out about being rehoused?

• Refer to our leaflet 'Applying for housing'

• Am I entitled to a decoration allowance on this property?

• Depending on the state of the property when you move in you may be entitled to a decoration allowance. This will be discussed during the accompanied view.

Rent

• Can I set up a standing order?

• You can set up a or standing order at any point.  The forms that you will need to complete are available from our offices.

• How do I apply for Housing Benefit, how much will I get?

• If you are on a low income or benefits, Housing Benefit can help to pay your rent.  Leeds Council runs the Housing Benefit scheme in our area.  You can apply using a form that is available from Unity offices or from Council offices.  Members of staff in our offices are trained in filling out these forms and will be happy to help you complete them.

• I've been awarded Housing Benefit how much should I pay.  Can it be paid direct to the Association?

• When you are awarded Housing Benefit you should be informed as to how much you will need to pay.  For further details please refer to Housing Benefit information.

• I've applied for HB but work part time, how much should I pay?

• Housing benefits should inform you of the amount that you will need to contribute towards your rent, based on your weekly income. 

• How and where do I pay my rent?  What methods are available, can I pay it monthly?

• You can pay by, standing order, with your rent card at the post office or you can also make cash payments or by credit card at the office, also via the internet. You can make payments weekly or monthly, by arrangement.

• What is the balance on my account?

• If you wish to know what your current balance on rent account is you can contact your housing office at anytime who will be able to tell you, you may also request an up to date rent statement to be posted to you.

• When is my rent due to go up?

• Your rent is due to increase April each year. You will receive a letter informing you of this.

• Can I have the credit on my account refunded to me?

• If your rent account is in credit, you can apply to your Housing Officer to have the money refunded to you.

• I'm in arrears, but on Income Support/JSA can you take the money straight from my benefits?

• If you are in arrears we may apply to have a deduction taken direct from your benefit, but this will be discussed with you. 

• I've got a NOSP – what is this?

• This is a Notice of Possession, we will send you this warning you that we will take legal action to evict you unless you clear the arrears or make an agreement to clear the arrears and keep to it.  The notice says that unless you pay all that you owe or keep to the agreed arrangement, we will take you to court.

• I've got a court date, what should I do?

• You need to contact your housing officer, as soon as possible.  Alternatively, you could seek advice from one of the local advice centres.

• I've got an eviction date, I don't want to leave, what should I do?

• You need to contact your housing officer.   They will advise you on the action you can take to try and prevent the eviction going ahead. Alternatively, you could seek advice from one of the local advice centres.

• I've lost my rent card can I have another one?

• If you lose your rent card, contact your housing office who will arrange for a new one to be sent to you. If you have misplaced your rent card, you can pay your rent at the office whilst you await a replacement.

• Can I have a breakdown of service charge?

• Yes, you can request this information from our office.

• Can I buy my home?

• The Right to Aquire is governed by strict Legislation. We can send you further information that explains the conditions.

• Do you provide contents insurance?

• We have negotiated favourable terms and can send you further information on this.

• Can I make my son/family member/partner a joint tenant?

• You can request for a family member to become a joint tenant.  There are certain rules that govern whether your request will be approved, but this is something you can discuss with your housing officer.

• How do I terminate my tenancy?

• To terminate your tenancy you will have to complete a termination form.  You must give 4 weeks' notice will be taken from the next Sunday.  We cannot take a termination over the phone.

• What do I do if I want to do a property improvement eg, add a conservatory/change front door, build a garage?

• Before any improvements are made of that nature you will have to write to us to ask for permission.

• Do you keep a set of keys to the property/I have lost my keys what do I do?

• Unity does not keep a set of your keys.  If you lose your keys we will get your locks changed for you, but you will be charged for this.  Before we do this we will ask you to sign a re-charge form and pay a deposit.

• Will you help me move?

• We will be able to assist you in finding accommodation via Leeds Homes, but any costs incurred for removals will have to be covered by you.

• What are the rules on parking cars?

• You must not park a vehicle anywhere on the property except on a driveway or other paved area meant for parking.

• My wife has just died what shall I do?

• You need to contact your local housing office to inform them of your bereavement.  If you are not a joint tenant then you will have to apply to succeed the tenancy.  You need to discuss this with your housing officer.

• My partner has vacated the property, what do I do?

• You need to inform us of your change in circumstances as soon as possible.

• I've been given a custodial sentence but I want to keep my tenancy on, can I do this?

• This will depend on the length of your custodial sentence.  You will need to let us know so we can advise you of your rights.

• I have been the carer for my ex-partner who has just died, can I have the flat?

• You will not automatically be entitled to the flat, but you need to contact the Housing Office to discuss this.

• I have applied for Right to Acquire – why don't you cover all my repairs?

• We will carry out Health and Safety works to your property, but all other repairs will not be done, as this may add value to your property, which would then be reflected in the price you would have to pay.

• Can I have a satellite dish installed?

• You would have to write to the Housing Office to receive written consent to do this.

• If I buy a new fitting like shelves lights or a shower will you fit it for me?

• If you decide to fit any of the mentioned this is ok within reason, such as a shower you will have to ask for written consent.  If when you leave the property any fixtures and fittings which you have added are seen as a health and safety risk you may be charged for the removal of them.

• Can I have disabled adaptations like showers, handrails etc?

• If you think that you need these sorts of facilities you will have to contact Occupational Health who will assess you and see if they think that you would benefit from these.  They will then contact us to carry out the works.  Depending on the works that need to be carried out it may not be economical for them to be done to that property and so we may ask you to transfer to another property, or to contact Leeds Council to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

• I am your tenant can you recommend a contractor to carry out a private job for me?

• If you wish to have work done by a private contractor it would be your responsibility to find someone to carry out the works, we would not recommend anyone too you.

• Can I put up CCTV cameras on my house?

• You would first have to write to your housing office for written permission.

• What standard should I expect, when being offered your property?

• Your property will be in a clean and tidy condition, & all health & safety jobs completed ready for you to move in.

• How do I make a complaint?

• You can visit your housing office to make a complaint or fill in a complaint form, which you can post, e-mail or fax.

• What do I need to do to set up a Residents Association?

• If you are wanting to set up a residents association in your area, you need to contact your our tenant participation.

• How do I get involved in tenant participation?

• There are a number of ways from setting up constituted groups to being part of community voices, giving feedback on a range of issues. You choose the level of involvement. For further details contact our tenant participation officer.

• I am having problems with my neighbours, what can I do about it?

• Neighbour problems, anti-social behaviour and harassment take various forms. They can range from a barking dog, loud music or worse still violence.If you experience problems please contact your Housing Officer to ask for help and advice.

  Normally we will ask you first if you have tried to sort things out, for example by asking your neighbour to turn their music down. We can provide you with a leaflet that explains how we can help you. We will tell you what you need to do, what evidence we may need and how we can take action. We promise to take your problem seriously and thoroughly investigate.

  Where we cannot help you we will tell you why and how else you might solve the problem.

• How do I make a complaint or comment about a service?

• We want to make sure that our services meet our published standards and the needs of our customers and partners – your needs as residents – so your feedback is important to us.

Happy?

If we are doing a good job please tell us. Your compliments show that our customers are satisfied with our services and helps us see what works well. You may just simply wish to make a suggestion on how we can improve our services or let us know when a member of staff has done a good job.