Housing Association request

[Draculaswedding]

If planning permission goes through ( it’s expected to) the block of flats I’m in is going to be demolished. We have been told our applications for a flat in a new block being built will be given high priority. I have filled in the application form and registered with the council homes site as requested. I’ve now been told to fill in an income and expenditure form as they didn’t give us one.

I have lived in my flat for 12 years and paid my rent by monthly direct debit without fail during this time. The HA know I have looked after my flat and that it is kept clean. When each of us were invited to discuss our options I was asked if I could afford the increased rent for one of the new flats. I said I’d get back to them once I had checked. I worked out it was ok and told them as I was asked to do. I can understand why new applicants need to fill a statement of needs form in but if I was going to be an unreliable tenant surely I would have shown this over the last 12 years. AIBU to say I think this feels intrusive under the circumstances or do I just fill it in?

Just fill it in. It will be a whole new process now. Like starting from scratch bit with a small foot in the door.

I know these things are frustrating OP. But I'd just get on with it ASAP. It will ease your mind knowing you have done everything you can.

Good luck!

Just fill it in, my sister had something similar regarding a possible HA house and she like yourself has been an excellent tenant for over twenty years. It's just how they do things now. Good luck, hope it all goes well and that you like new flat.

Thanks. I’m feeling rather belligerent at the moment - heat and hormones and after paying rent without fail for over a decade as well as saying I could meet the new rent I felt having to declare how much I spend on stuff like clothing, food and bills after all this time was a bit intrusive. They know I’m reliable and that I’d not take on a higher rent if I couldn’t meet the obligation to pay it each month.

Its box ticking. They have to treat everyone the same

@GorekyPark

Isn't it just to set your rent payment according to your income?

I've never heard of social housing rents being adjusted according to the tenant's income. Or is this along the lines of the 'social housing is free/subsidised' myth.

OP, the HA have a duty of care to their tenants and have to show that they have ensured you are all not moved to unaffordable properties. As a PP said, for some it will just be a box ticking exercise.

@GorekyPark there's a difference between subsidised housing and not for profit.

If you want a social housing property, just fill in and supply whatever evidence they need to process you

some councils and HAs will refuse to house you if you can afford to rent in the general market....

"The Council may take into account the financial circumstances of housing applicants (including existing tenants living in social housing) and/or those who fall into one or more of the reasonable or additional preference groups within the Allocations Scheme, when considering whether an applicant qualifies for inclusion on the Housing Register. Social housing in Oxford is a scarce resource, and those applicants with sufficient resources to secure alternative forms of accommodation without undue hardship may be excluded from the Housing Register. "

This is from Oxford city councils allocation scheme documentation.....

Check your tenancy agreement. Hopefully you have it, because it wouldn't surprise me if the HA don't. It may have terms specifying what happens if your home can no longer be inhabited.

In your case, it will be more or less a formality but you would be surprised how many prospective tenants say they can afford the rent and then find they can't. Also this will help the HA to target support around budgeting and benefits to the right people. Sounds like you will be fine.

@GorekyPark

I've never heard of social housing rents being adjusted according to the tenant's income. Or is this along the lines of the 'social housing is free/subsidised' myth

I've never heard of it not being. And its not a myth that rents are subsidised at all. My estate...private rent for a 3 bed semi 1300 p/m, HA rent on the same house, anything between 400-900 pm.

Council housing rents have not been subsidised for a long time. Councils have a Housing Revenue account. Money from rents and housing benefits goes in, staff costs, repairs and maintenance comes out. Other Not for Profit organisations/Registered Social landlords operate similar systems. Private landlords are mainly in the business of letting properties to maximise their profit, hence the huge difference in rent levels.

Subsidies go to those low income tenants who receive Housing Benefit whatever tenure of housing they live in.

Thanks everyone. I’ll fill the form in. I also have to fill the city councils homes application as well apparently and they have to have the same info and proof of ID, address etc as the HA.