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Torbay's Housing Register/Waiting List
Having transferred its housing stock to Riviera Housing Trust, Torbay Council is no longer a landlord. The Council works in partnership with Riviera to provide a joint Housing Register that is run and managed by Riviera.
Riviera Housing Trust is the largest housing association in the area, however Torbay Council also works in partnership with other Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations to provide social housing.
What are Registered Social Landlords and Housing Associations?
Housing Associations are organisations set up to provide homes for people who cannot afford suitable, local housing. Usually they are charitable non-profit making organisations. They are also known as RSL's (Registered Social Landlords).
In many respects Housing Associations and the Council share the same aim. The two kinds of organisations therefore work together. For example, the Council may provide land or money to enable a Housing Association Scheme to be built, in return the Housing Association will take tenants nominated (or chosen) by the Council.
What sort of homes do Housing Associations provide?
- Flats - Usually with one or two bedrooms. Suitable for single people, couples, small families and the active older people including the early retired.
- Bungalows - This type of accommodation is usually, but not always for older people.
- Sheltered Accommodation - Self-contained flats and / or bungalows with a resident warden and an alarm call system. Usually, there is a lounge for communal activities, plus a guest room and a laundry. Sheltered accommodation is suitable for older people who can care for themselves and want to remain independent yet like back up support and company. Sheltered accommodation is not suitable for people who need regular or continual care.
- Family Housing - For families with children.
- Temporary Housing - For homeless people / families who the Council have a duty to assist.
- Special Needs Housing - Self- contained flats and shared housing, hostels and group homes. Shared housing usually means that residents share a kitchen and bathroom. Special needs housing is for people with a special requirement or disability.
Can I apply for Housing Association Accommodation if I am an Owner Occupier?
Owner-occupiers can apply for a housing association property if their property is no longer suitable and they lack the resources to find their own solution to their housing problem. For example, an older person who can no longer climb the stairs in their own home might apply for a housing association ground floor flat or sheltered accommodation. Another option would be to contact the Ancor Staying Put Team who could provide advice and assistance with adaptations, improvements and repairs that could enable them to remain in their own home.
Rents / Service Charges
Most housing association homes in this area are for renting. Many schemes have attracted government grants through the Housing Corporation. These grants allow the rents to be set below normal private rent levels, while still covering the associations' costs. These are known as affordable rents.
There may also be service charges for warden schemes and maintenance charges for the upkeep of communal areas.
Housing Benefit may be available to help with rent payments of those tenants who are claiming benefits or on a low income.
Could I Buy a Housing Association Property?
Some older peoples' bungalows may be offered for sale on a leasehold basis.
A very limited number of houses are offered on a part rent, part buy basis, particularly for people who cannot afford to buy a suitable home in any other way. These are called shared ownership schemes.
How to apply for housing association properties
Housing association properties are let in two ways. Some are let through the Torbay Housing Register, run by Riveria Housing Trust on the council's behalf. Others are let directly by each association.
In the first instance, contact Riveria Housing Trust. Priority will usually be given to those applicants who are in greatest need. The lettings policy will take account of:
- The conditions you are living in now, and whether these will change, e.g. if you have been given notice to quit.
- How well you can cope with your housing conditions, e.g. if you can no longer climb the stairs.
- How long you have been coping with these conditions (not how long you have been on the association's waiting list), e.g. if you have been sharing your home and how long you have been doing so.
- Whether you can do anything about these conditions, e.g. if you can afford to alter your present home to improve your situation.
- If the Housing Association is a registered charity it will have to abide by its own charitable rules, e.g. The Royal British Legion now known as Housing 21 gives due regard to ex-service people but does not exclude others in housing need.
Waiting Lists
Please remember there is a huge demand for housing association accommodation and from time to time housing associations may close their list and not allow any more people to join their list. If the associations' list is full, they may reject your application and they will ask you to re-apply later.
Could I move from one Housing Association property to another?
Yes, there are several ways of doing this:
- Councils and housing associations hold 'mutual exchange books' that record details of households who wish to transfer locally. Riviera Housing Trust now perform this function for all properties that formerly belonged to Torbay Council. You can view these books by arrangement with Riviera.
- Social housing tenants can use the Homeswap system. If you want to display your details in Homeswap either go on-line with the above link or complete a Homeswap form available from Riviera Housing Trust . You then send it to the address shown on the form. Interested tenants can then contact you direct to discuss swapping homes.
In addition, most local Councils and Housing Associations take part in the Homes Mobility Scheme . This scheme tries to help people who:
- Are already Council or Housing Association tenants
- Have priority on housing waiting lists
- Urgently need to move to another area
- Have already started a job or have received a firm offer of employment
- Have a relative who needs their support
- Need to move closer to their family
- To apply for a move using the Homes Mobility Scheme you will need to contact your housing association in order that they can nominate you.
For further information contact Housing Associations in the Torbay area.
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Contact Housing
- Tel: 01803 208723
- Email: housing.advice@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208282
