Living Merthyr Tydfil

• Who can apply for properties through Living Merthyr Tydfil?

Anyone aged 16 years or over may apply to join the common housing register- called Living Merthyr Tydfil.

In order to apply for rented properties, you must first apply to join the register.

•  How do I apply to join the Housing Register?

By completing an online application

• What  documents do I need to provide?

Along with completing an online application, you will also need to provide the following: 

• Proof of identity for all household members (e.g. passports, birth certificates)
• Proof of current address (e.g. recent utility bill, bank statement)
• Evidence of your right to reside in the UK if you are not a British Citizen (e.g. passport & other relevant Home Office documentation) 

Before you are offered a property you may need to provide additional documents to support your application. We will tell you what documents to provide and when to provide them where applicable.

• What happens if I do not provide the required documents?

Providing you have properly completed your application form it will be processed but placed in the lowest band, until the supporting documents are received, when it will be moved into the appropriate band from the date they are received. If your online application  is incomplete it cannot be submitted.

• How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Register?

You will receive a confirmation email (if you submit an email address) and a message via the website, informing you  that you have been accepted onto the Housing Register. This will tell you the band you have been placed, the date your application has been registered from and the size of property you are eligible for.

• Can the Council refuse to accept me onto the Housing Register?

There are some people who are not eligible to be included on the Housing Register. These are: 

• Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act.
• Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, 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.

More detailed information is available here

• What are priority Bands?

Your application will be assessed according to your level of housing need and placed into a band, within each band applications are placed in date order. Thre are 3 primary Bands - Band 1- high housing need, Band 2 - Medium Housing need and Band 3 - Low Housing need

• What do I do if my circumstances change?

It is very important that you update your online application if your circumstances change - this may affect your priority band. If you move Bands - the date you are placed in that Band will be your 'effective date'.

• Do I need to renew my application each year?

Yes, once a year, normally on the anniversary of your application approval date, you will be notified of the requirement to renew your application. This is done to enaure that all persons on the common housing register wish to be there and are actively seeking new accommodation.

• What if someone in my household has a medical condition?

If someone in your household has a medical condition you will be asked to provide details. The key consideration is how does your current property affect your medical condition? having a particular medical condition does not qualify someone for a particular band. The full circumstances of the case must be considered holistically.

 

• How often are properties advertised?

Properties available for rent can be advertised daily . As soon as we are given formal notice that a property is due to become vacant Housing Associations are able to advertise it. Adverts may be daily, but each advert will run for at least 7 days.

 

• Where are properties advertised?

Online only -please see  www.livingmerthyrtydfil.org.uk

 

• How many properties can I express an interest in?

You can apply for as many properties you like on each advert.
 

• How do you decide who is offered a property?

Once the closing date has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in Common Allocation Policy. The applicant at the top of the list will normally be offered the property.
 

• If I successfully apply for a rented property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me?

Yes. You may not be invited to view the property for the following reasons:

• You have a housing related debt that was not determined when you applied to join the housing register
• You have not complied with a current or previous tenancy agreement
• You are classed as being to vulnerable to sustain a tenancy
• You are ready to have a tenancy but there is not sufficent support available to help you to sustain the tenancy
• You are not able to reside in that area due to public safety concerns
• You have experianced domestic abuse and to house you in the area the property is located in would put you at further risk
• The property is classed as a senstive let and you do not meet the sesitive let criteria
• You would not be able to afford the rent at the property as you would be underoccupying and subject to bedroom tax
• You do not meet the maximum occupancy of the property. 

 

• If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind?

Yes. You will be given an opportunity to view the property and decide whether you would like to accept it.
 

• What if I don’t like the property when I have seen it?

Depending on the reasons for you not liking the property it may be that a refusal is classed as unreasonable. If you make two unreasonable refusals at any time your priority will be reduced for six months.
 

• How will I know what has happened to the properties advertised?

Information about homes that have been successfully let or purchased through shared ownership is published on the website and the newsletter. We tell you the number of applicants that expressed an interest in each property, the band and the registration date of each property. To see the results of properties that have been let use the Properties and recent lets search.
 

• How will this information help me?

It will give you a better idea of how popular a particular property or area is and how long you would normally have to wait. You can then decide whether to look for other types of property or areas where you may not have to wait as long.
 

• Are carpets and appliances provided?

You will normally have to provide your own carpets and appliances.

 

• What if I am at risk of becoming homeless or am already homeless?

Contact the Housing Solutions Team IMMEDIATELY on 01685 725000. The earlier you contact us - the higher our success rate in assisting you.