Can anyone apply to go on the Register?
Almost anyone can apply for housing.
If you are already a Wigan Council tenant you must have lived in your home for 12 months before re-applying for alternative accommodation, unless there are exceptional circumstances which you should discuss with your Area Office.
References
All new applicants must provide us with 2 suitable references. Usually these are from employers, current or former landlords or a professional person. Personal references from friends or relatives cannot be accepted. If you have a joint application and you and your partner have been living together for more than twelve months you will only need to supply one reference each.
We can assist you if you are finding this difficult.
Existing WALH tenants do not need to provide references. If you want to move a Housing Officer will visit you at your home and carry out a home visit. This is like a landlord reference. If your home visit is satisfactory and your rent account is clear your application will be made active.
What if I am under 18 years old?
If you are under 18 your application will be suspended until you are 18. If you are under 18 and have serious housing problems or are threatened with homelessness, you must discuss this with housing staff and they will give you advice and assistance.
What if I am from abroad?
We can accept applications from:
§ British Citizens
§ European Economic Area Citizens
§ People granted Refugee Status with reason to remain
We cannot accept applications from people subject to immigration control.
For more information or advice contact any of our Housing Offices or Property Shops.
What consideration is given to my current circumstances?
The band your application is placed in takes account of your personal and household circumstances.
The scheme has 4 bands:
Band 1 Urgent Housing Need - for example,
- High priority medical awards
- Where we have a legal duty to re-house under homeless legislation
- People in a clearance area
Band 2 High Housing Need - for example,
- Medical needs
- Temporary moves whilst repairs are carried out
- Where we have a legal duty to re-house under homeless legislation
- Overcrowded households needing 3 or more extra bedrooms
Band 3 Housing Need - for example,
- Lodgers
- Over crowded households needing 2 extra bedrooms
Band 4 Standard Need - for example,
- Applicants suitably housed wishing to move to another area
- Applicants living in caravans or mobile homes
- Over crowded households needing 1extra bedroom
Medical/Welfare Award
Medical conditions will be taken into account if they are made worse by the type of property you are living in. You need to complete and return an application for additional medical/welfare priority. This will be considered within 20 working days of receipt and you will be notified in writing of the outcome.
Equity
If you own your home you will need to provide a written estate agent valuation and details of any outstanding mortgage. If you are likely to get equity of £120,000, or more from the sale of your property, it is expected that you should be able to secure your own alternative accommodation to meet your needs therefore your application will be placed in band 4.
Can you refuse or suspend my application?
If there is evidence that you or a member of your household are behaving or have behaved in a seriously unacceptable way, your application may be suspended. This means your application would be accepted, but you would not be able to express an interest in properties until your behaviour improved.
This is usually for a set amount of time, for example 6 months. During this period you will have to show that your behaviour has improved and that you would make a responsible tenant.
Some examples of unacceptable behaviour are:
§ Breaking any of the conditions listed in Wigan Council’s tenancy agreement
§ Violence or threats of violence to our staff
§ Drug dealing
§ Racial harassment
§ Intimidation
§ Noise
§ If you owe Wigan Council money we will suspend your application until you either:
- Pay all the debt
- Make an agreement with us to pay the debt off over an agreed period and stick to it
Your application may also be suspended if a housing association or private sector landlord has served you with a notice of seeking possession for rent arrears.
§ If you are already a Wigan Council tenant your application will be suspended if you have seriously broken your tenancy conditions, for example:
- Causing damage to the property
- If the garden is neglected
What if I do not agree with a decision that has been made about my application?
You can ask for a review of the following decisions made about your application:
§ If your application is refused
§ If your application is suspended
§ The band you have been placed in
§ Any medical or welfare award
You must tell us if you want a review. You can do this by:
§ Writing into any of our offices saying why you think the decision should be reviewed.
§ E-mailing details to property.shop@walh.co.uk
§ Asking a member of staff to write down your reasons for a review. You will then need to sign the statement.
All requests for a review will investigated and individual circumstances taken into account before a decision is made.
You will be notified in writing of the outcome within 10 working days of your request for a review.
Reviewing the Register
All applicants will be contacted annually to see if they still want to be on the register. You must reply to the review letter or your application will be cancelled.
Change of Circumstances
You should notify us immediately of any change in your circumstances. This includes change of address, telephone number, medical condition etc. This will allow your application to be reassessed to make sure you are in the correct band.
Cancelling your Application
Please contact the Property Shop if you want to cancel your application for housing.
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