What is My Homefinder?
My Homefinder is all about you. Giving you the choice to see what properties we have available to let and allowing you to make an informed decision if a property is right for your needs by viewing the weekly adverts of our vacant properties.
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Can anyone register to join the My Homefinder scheme?
Yes. However, it will depend on your personal circumstances as to whether you are accepted onto the waiting list.
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How does SSHA decide if I am accepted onto the waiting list?
Your personal circumstances will be assessed from the information that you provide us on your application form. From this, you will be placed into either Gold, Silver or Bronze band depending on the level of your needs. Here are some examples of the types of need for each banding.
- Gold Band – You need to move urgently and can no longer live in your current home i.e. you have been accepted as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need by the Homelessness department at South Staffordshire Council or when you have been awarded high medical priority to move to other accommodation.
- Silver Band - Your current home is not suitable for your needs but you are able to stay there whilst you choose another i.e. you have been accepted as homeless by the Homelessness department at South Staffordshire Council but not in priority need or when you need to receive support from or give support to a close family member.
- Bronze Band - Your current home meets your needs but you want to move.
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How do I apply for a home?
Weekly adverts will be displayed on this website which will detail all available properties. They will also be displayed in places such as local libraries, leisure centres, doctor’s surgeries etc. If you see a property that you are interested in you will be able to express your interest for the property by telephone or via this website.
You can choose your home in any of these 3 ways…
- Online – you can view all of our available properties on our website at www.myhomefinder.org.uk and if you would like to express your interest on any of them just follow the links
- In person – call in to our Head Office at Acton Gate and one of our team will help you
- By phone – call us on 0800 121 8961, listen to the recorded message then leave us your details by giving us your application reference number and the property reference number. This will then be recorded on your behalf.
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When are properties advertised?
All vacant properties will be advertised every Wednesday until 12 p.m. the following Tuesday when the expression of interest cycle ends.
If your expression of interest is successful you will be contacted as soon as possible at the end of the cycle and usually by 3 p.m. on the Friday.
If you do not hear from us by the end of the week it is unlikely that your expression of interest has been successful. Remember, we have new properties most weeks so don’t let it put you off, just keep trying!
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Can I view the property?
We can only make an appointment for a viewing if your expression of interest is successful. Please do not visit the property without an appointment.
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How do we select the successful applicant?
The successful applicant will be the person who is in the highest band and who has been on the waiting list the longest, this being the date the application was registered.
SSHA operate a strict lettings criteria policy. Please click here to view details
of this criteria.
If your expression of interest is successful, you will need to provide 2 forms of I.D. for all people that are applying to move (just 1 for children). This information will be required before you can view the property. This can be letters from benefit offices, driving licence or utility bills such as gas/electricity/telephone.
Once these details have been checked, you will be able to view the property with one of our officers and make your decision about accepting it.
If you do accept, a housing officer will advise you how long it will be before you can sign for the property. They will also make an appointment for you to receive the keys and all the other relevant tenancy information to help you in your new home.
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What will happen if my expression of interest is successful and I am made an offer?
Once you have been successful you will be asked if you wish to view the property and if so an officer from SSHA will arrange to meet you at the address and show you around. If you decide to accept the property you will be sent a formal offer letter.
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What if my circumstances change?
You will need to inform SSHA as soon as there are any changes in your circumstances to ensure that you are always in the correct band for your needs.
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Will I be able to find out more about who properties have been let to?
Each month you will be able to see the feedback results from the advertising cycles.
The feedback will detail all the properties that were advertised during that period and will list the following:
- Address of the property
- Successful applicant details - i.e. band & date of registration
- No. of people who expressed interest on the property
If your expression of interest was not successful then this information will allow you to see what band the person it was allocated to was in and the date they registered.
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Why hasn’t my application been banded/what further checks need to be made before my application can be banded?
All applications have to go through our strict verification processes and occasionally require further checks to be made before they can be banded into Bronze, Silver or Gold. The list below, explains the various verification folders that your application may move into before you can be banded and then eligible to express your interest in our properties
Pre-Reg – If you have ticked yes to:
- Subject to Immigration Control
- Commonwealth Citizens with a right of abode in the UK
- Citizens of a European Union Country or Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein
UnderAge – If the main applicant is under 18, as rent guarantor details will be required
Disagree – If you have ticked that you disagree to the online declaration
Incorrect – If you have filled your application details incorrectly. An example would be a marital status of married when no other household members are on the application with you, as the system will assume that if you’re married, then your marital partner will be moving home with you. If you are separated and require a property for yourself, then the status of Separated or Single would be the correct choice
Owner Occupier - If you currently own your own home
Duplicate – If our system recognises your details or you have already registered an application with us
Query – If you or your partner has ticked yes to:
- Having a criminal offence
- Served with a Notice to Quit/Notice Seeking Possession/Anti-Social Behaviour
- Victim of physical/mental abuse/crime/racial harassment/threats of violence
- Require Shared Ownership/Private Rent information to be sent to you
Homeless – If you have ticked that you are currently or about to be made Homeless
Tenant – If you are currently a tenant or have been a tenant in the past 6 years we have to verify your tenancy details, this involves writing to your current/former landlord for a reference
Medical – if you have ticked that you have medical circumstances. An assessment form will need to be sent to you if you have not already received one and returned before your application can be assessed for the correct level of banding, dependant upon your needs
Transfer – If you are currently a tenant of South Staffordshire Housing Association you will be required to have a clear rent account and a satisfactory property inspection as we need to ensure that your details are correct and you’re not in arrears
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What does the 'energy performance' of the property mean?
The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be.
The average UK rating of a domestic property is 'E' on the A to G scale. Please do not be concerned if the property does not reach the rating you expect as this depends on many factors including the age of the property, type and age of boiler, insulation thickness etc and ultimately the main aim is to improve the rating of the property.
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