Pennine Housing 2000

Thursday, 09-Sep-2010
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Frequently Asked Questions


  • What is KeyChoice? [Top]
    KeyChoice is the system used for letting properties in Calderdale, which completely changes the way in which you apply for social rented housing throughout the district.

    The scheme simplifies the way in which you rent a home, as it takes into account the date of your membership and personal circumstances. It also gives you a variety of properties to choose from, with comprehensive information about the properties to rent.

    KeyChoice has been designed to improve access to social rented housing by allowing you to view available properties and bid (show your interest) from the comfort of your own home via the internet or alternatively you can visit one of your local Pennine Housing 2000 offices or the KeyChoice Property Shop. Members who are unable to use or access the KeyChoice website can also telephone their bids using our Bidding Hotline on 0845 270 1173 (Local rate).

  •  Who can apply for properties through KeyChoice? [Top]
    You must have been accepted onto Calderdale's Housing Register to be able to apply for either rented or low cost home ownership properties through KeyChoice. Anyone aged 16 years or over may apply to join the Housing Register.

  •  How do I apply to join the Housing Register? [Top]
    If you are not a member and would like to join the scheme you can apply using the online application form on this website, or telephone the KeyChoice Property Shop 01422 255155 and they will post you a form.

  •  How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Register? [Top]
    You will receive a letter confirming 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 your password.

  •  Can you refuse to accept me onto the Housing Register? [Top]
    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.
    For more detailed information contact our KeyChoice Property Shop on 01422 255155.

  •  What if I need help to fill in a form or to find out about available properties? [Top]
    Assistance will be provided to those who need help in completing the KeyChoice Registration Form or who have language or literacy difficulties. For people with disabilities or severe medical conditions, home visits can be arranged. Further information about available properties can be obtained by ringing a local Pennine district housing office or by calling the KeyChoice Property Shop on 01422 255155.

  •  Where will KeyChoice advertise available properties? [Top]
    Properties will be advertised from one minute past midnight on Wednesday morning to one minute before midnight on Sunday each week. Properties will be advertised 24 hours a day throughout the letting cycle at www.KeyChoice.org.uk, you will also be able to subscribe to receive a weekly KeyChoice Property sheet for the cost of a stamp (£5.07 for 13 weeks), or visit your local Pennine Housing 2000 office, KeyChoice Property Shop, Housing Advice Centre, local library and other public buildings during advertised opening hours.

  •  How does the advertising cycle work? [Top]
    At the present time, advertising (bidding) cycles operate for five days. A cycle will commence on a Wednesday and will close the following Sunday at midnight. You can place bids anytime during the 5 day cycle. Priority is NOT determined by the time you call during a cycle, offers are made solely on membership date and priority status.

  •  What are priority Bands? [Top]
    Your application will be assessed according to your level of housing need and placed in one of 4 bands Gold, Silver Plus, Silver or Bronze. We will also take into account whether you have a local connection with Calderdale. Within each band applications are placed in date order.

    Gold Urgent Housing Need
    Silver Plus High Housing Need
    Silver Some Housing Need
    Bronze No Housing Need

  • Bids [Top]
    A bid simply means that you are interested in a particular home. Bids are not made with money, but with the waiting time scheme members build up. You may bid for one property in any one bidding cycle.

  •  What do I do if my circumstances change? [Top]
    It is very important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances so that we can amend your application. We will tell you if this results in your application moving to a different band. If you move up a band the date used will be the date you move into that band. If you move down a band the date used will be the date that applied when you were previously in that band.

  •  Do I need to renew my application each year? [Top]
    Yes, once a year, normally on the anniversary of your application you will be sent a declaration form, which you must complete and return within 21 days. If you fail to return the form we will write and tell you that your application has been cancelled.

  •  What if someone in my household has a medical condition? [Top]
    If someone in your household has a medical condition you will be asked to provide details, which will then be considered by Pennine Housing 2000, who will assess your case. You can continue to choose which properties to express an interest in but must be mindful of your condition and only express interest in suitable properties such as ground floor flat or bungalow if you cannot climb stairs.

  •  How often are properties advertised? [Top]
    Properties available for rent are advertised each week. As soon as we are given formal notice that a property is due to become vacant we will advertise it. For more details click Step Two-Choosing, part of our step-by-step guide to using the service.

  •  What information will the property adverts contain? [Top]
    The adverts will tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property. Where available a photograph of the property or a similar house type will be provided and you will be able to access information about the local area and facilities. The advert will also tell you if there are any special requirements that the applicant must meet, such as age requirements, which bands may bid for the property and which will be given priority for the property. It also tells you the number of bedrooms that applicants applying for the property need to be entitled to. If your bedroom entitlement is different to this you will not be able to bid for that property.

  •  What is Sheltered Housing? [Top]
    Sheltered Housing offers older people their own home, together with a little bit of help when needed. There are different types of schemes some are bungalows, or flats all near to each other, with a common room nearby for social activities. Other schemes are made up of flats all under one roof, with additional facilities, including a communal lounge for socialising, guest rooms and laundries.

  •  How do I apply (Bid) for a property? [Top]
    You can bid, in the following ways:
  •  How many properties can I express an interest (Bid) in? [Top]
    You will be able to express an interest in one property each time properties are advertised. However, you will only be able to express interest in properties that are suitable for your family.

  •  How long will I have to bid for a property? [Top]
    Properties will be advertised from midnight on a Wednesday and you will be able to register your interest in properties up until midnight the following Sunday.

  •  Once I have made a bid can I change my mind? [Top]
    Yes - you can see your confirmed bid in the Current bids page, and you can withdraw bids here. You have the option to go back to the property lists to make other bids instead.

  •  How long will I have to wait for a reply to my bids? [Top]
    Once the deadline expires, the property will normally be offered to the person at the top of the list. This will be someone who has bid for a particular property and has the earliest date of membership and/or has the highest priority.

    Members are subject to certain checks being carried out, this process may take a few days. If you haven't heard from KeyChoice within a few days of the cycle ending, you should assume you have not been successful and should try again on the following cycle.

  •  Will I know how many other people are interested in the same property? [Top]
    Yes, when you bid for a property you will be told where you are in the queue. This is likely to change frequently due to other people bidding for the same property. Using this information you may decide to withdraw your bid for one property and bid for a different property for which you are higher placed in the queue. You can do this at any time before the closing date.

  •  How do you decide who is offered a property? [Top]
    Once the closing date for bids has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the advert details for that property. The applicant at the top of the list will normally be offered the property. Click Step Three-Offer for more details.

  •  If I successfully bid for a rented property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me? [Top]
    You may not be invited to view the property for the following reasons:
    • You owe rent or have other housing related debts;
    • You are a Council or Housing Association tenant and legal action has been taken against you because you have broken your tenancy conditions;
    • You have not provided the required documentary evidence to support your application by the date given;
    • Your circumstances have changed and this results in a reduction in your level of priority;
    • You have provided incorrect or misleading information, which has resulted in your application being awarded a higher priority than it deserves.

      NB This is not an exhaustive list.

  •  If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind? [Top]
    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? [Top]
    You will not normally be penalised for refusing a property that you have been offered and will still be able to bid in properties that become available. (Gold Band members may be penalised)

  •  How will I know what has happened to the properties advertised? [Top]
    Information about homes that have been successfully let or purchased through shared ownership is published. We tell you the number of applicants that bid in each property, the band and the registration date of each property. To see the results for properties that have been let click Recent Lets.

  •  How will this information help me? [Top]
    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.

  •  What is an Open Let? [Top]
    One in every five property types advertised will be an open let. This means that priority is given to the member who is most suitable for the property and has the oldest relevant date regardless of which property band they are in.

  •  What if I am suspended from the KeyChoice scheme? [Top]
    If you have been suspended from KeyChoice, you will not be eligible to bid for properties through the KeyChoice scheme. However, if you contact Pennine Housing 2000 and arrange to repay any outstanding debts, or resolve any outstanding issues which has caused your suspension, we may review your situation and permit you to participate in the scheme.

  •  Are carpets and appliances provided? [Top]
    No - You will normally have to provide your own carpets and appliances.

  •  What other options are there for housing? [Top]
    There is a severe shortage of homes in the Calderdale area. Most applicants on the Housing Register will have to wait a long time for re-housing and many of those in the lower bands will still have a lesser chance of re-housing in the local area. Depending on your circumstances you may wish to consider other options such as renting in the private sector.

  •  Logging On [Top]
    It is recommended that scheme members Log On with their membership details as soon as they visit the website. You will need your membership number, and the date of birth of the main applicant.
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