Frequently asked questions

1. Who is eligible to apply?

   Anyone 16 years of age and over can apply to the housing register if they are eligible to be housed. However this does not guarantee housing under the scheme. Any landlord offering a tenancy to a customer who is under 18 may require a rent guarantor or a trustee to sign the tenancy agreement and to hold the tenancy on trust until the customer reaches the age of 18. Breckland District Council will not register people who are not eligible to be housed. Evidence of eligibility may be required to complete registration.

   Under the Housing Act (1996), local authorities must consider whether applicants are eligible for housing assistance. This relates to some people who may have been living abroad or who do not have permanent permission to remain in the UK. Some people will be eligible, whether or not they are subject to immigration control. Those who are eligible for housing assistance are defined in SI 206 no 1294: the allocation of housing and homelessness (Eligibility) (England) regulations 2006.

2. Who cannot use this service?

   You cannot use this service if you have not completed the on line registration form and have been accepted on to the Breckland Housing Register.

   There are also some people who are not by law eligible to join the Housing Register. These are:

   • - Certain people who are subject to immigration control under the 1996 asylum and immigration act (unless they fall within a class exempted from this restriction by government regulations)
   • - Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.
   • - People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.

3. How do I apply?

   You apply to join the Breckland Housing Register and to use the services of the Breckland Key Select website by completing the on-line application form. The service does not use or involve the completion of a hardcopy (paper) application form but assistance will be given to those that require it by contacting the Breckland Housing Options Team on 01362 656833

4. Where can I access Breckland Key Select service?

   You can access the Breckland Key Select website on computers in public libraries, contact centres that have access to the internet, or friend and family.

5. What if my circumstances change?

   If there is any change in your circumstances that may affect your priority on the Housing Register and may require your application moving to a different band, then you must access your application form using your login name and password to update the details on your on-line application form. The system will then automatically adjust and change your priority banding if it is appropriate to do so. Notification will then be sent to you in the post. If you require assistance then you should contact The Breckland Housing Options Team on 01362 656833

6. What if my contact details change?

   It is very important that you can be contacted quickly. If the contact details you supplied when you registered with the scheme are no longer up to date then you must amend these details by going on to the website and changing the details on your on-line application form. If you successfully bid for a property and cannot be contacted, you will lose the opportunity of being offered the property.

7. Who are the landlords?

   Please refer to the contact us page containing the list of housing association landlords who have accommodation in the Breckland district.

8. The system won't let me apply for certain properties, why?

   You can apply for properties for which you meet the qualifying criteria. If you try and apply for properties where you do not meet the qualifying criteria, the system will not let you apply. When you are sent your confirmation of your registration, banding and scheme login details, the letter will also state the size of properties that you qualify for. This is based on an assessment of the size of property that you need.

9. How long do I have to bid on properties?

   When the properties are advertised on the website, these will clearly state the deadline for people to apply. There is a 5 day bidding cycle starting from 23.59 on Wednesday to 12.00 midnight on the following Monday

10. Do I have to bid for properties every week?

    No. It is up to you when and which properties you bid for. You should only bid for properties that you genuinely want.

11. Will I be able to view a property before I apply for it?

    No. You will only be able to view a property once you have bid for it and have been successful in being chosen by the housing association to be considered for the tenancy. When the properties are advertised, all the information that you need to know about the property including a photograph will be shown so you can decide whether to apply for it or not.

12. Will I be able to view a property before I decide whether to accept the offer?

    Yes. Once you have bid successfully for a property a viewing will be arranged for you by the housing association concerned. You will then have to decide whether to accept or refuse the offer of the property. If you refuse, you will not be penalised and you can continue to bid for properties.

13. What kind of tenancy will I have?

    Usually people are offered assured tenancies by the housing associations. Some housing associations also use introductory tenancies for all new tenants. This is where you have a trial period before they change the tenancy to ensure you can manage your tenancy appropriately.

14. How much rent will I have to pay?

    The rent of a property is set by the housing association. The difference in rents is dependent on size of the property and its facilities. Each property advertised will display the rent to be paid.

15. What if I am homeless?

    If you are homeless or under the threat of homelessness, please click on the link housing options on the menu at the left hand side of the page and then the sub-link homelessness to access all the relevant information about the Breckland Councils homeless service. It is important that you seek advice from an appropriate housing officer. The Housing Options and Advice Team is located at the council offices. You can contact them by phoning 01362 656870 and ask to speak to the Housing Duty Officer.

16. What is sheltered housing?

    Sheltered housing may be the next step for you if you are finding life a little more difficult with the advancement of age. Sheltered housing schemes are designed to promote and assist an older person's independence with the support of a scheme Co-ordinator and mobile support staff. The staff are not there to do everything for the individual, but to help them get the services and assistance they may need to enable them to stay in their home, whilst checking on their welfare on a regular basis. This can be with the backup facility of a 24 hour Assist and Assure alarm service. For example the Flagship Telecare 24 hour Service. Facilities within the sheltered schemes may include a common room and a laundry room. Also a guest room may be available where family can stay when they visit.

17. What is housing with care?

    Housing with Care is an enhanced service for applicants with care needs that have been assessed by Adult Social Services. With high quality accommodation and access to 24 hour care and support from the onsite staff this service focuses on promoting independent living of the residents.

    Within the Breckland Area there are two Housing with Care Schemes. Laburnum Grove in Thetford and The Old Maltings in Swaffham. For more information regarding Housing with Care please call the Housing Options Team on 01362 656830.

    Please be aware that all applicants will need a recent Care Needs Assessment completed by a social worker to access this service. The Social Care Centre of Expertise at Norfolk County Council can be contacted on 0344 800 8020 or via their website www.norfolk.gov.uk.

    To be eligible to apply for the Houisng with Care Schemes, applicants are required to receive a minimum of 7 hours of care each week.

18. What if I disagree with a decision?

    An applicant has the legal right to ask for a review of certain decisions made regarding their application for housing. A request for a review of a decision can be made by contacting The Breckland Housing Register Team. Please click on the link contact us to get the contact details for The Breckland Housing Register Team. A request for a review of a decision should be made in writing and should be made within 21 days of the applicant receiving notification of the decision. Reviews will be considered within 28 days of the request being received and the applicant will receive a written response outlining the result of the review undertaken. An applicant does not have the right to ask for a review of a decision reached by an earlier review that has been undertaken.

19. What is the Local Lettings Criteria for Admiral Wilson Way and Sir Archdale Road, Swaffham?

    To ensure a balanced community in relation to this estate it is proposed that;

    • - Hastoe and Breckland District Countil will work together to ensure that no allocations are made to customers with a history of anti social behaviour. This will include information that will be gathered by Hastoe through home visits to all applicants during the lettings process.
    • - Each application will be considered on its own merits and full consideration will be given to any support provided or changes in behaviour or lifestyle that would make any previous history of anti social behaviour no longer a relevant factor.
    • - Where applicants have previously held a tenancy references will be requested. If no former landlord references are available than Hastoe and BDC may request character and employer references.
    • - All accepted applicants will be offered starter tenancies.
    • - Where required referrals for tenancy support to assist new tenants with sustaining a tenancy will be offered.
    • - Hastoe is seeking to establish a balanced and sustainable community through ensuring a mix of household profiles of allocations. Preference will be given to those applicants in full or part time employment. This information will be collected by Hastoe during their lettings process and annually through tenancy audits.
    • - For the flats at 10-22 Admiral Wilson Way, 50% of the flats will be let to households over 25 years of age. This may include considering under occupation of a couple for a two bedroom flat. Under occupancy will only be considered where it is clear that the tenant can afford to pay the rent on the property from their own employment income or a combination of employed income and received housing benefit.