The first step towards moving into a home rented from SSHA is to register with My Homefinder.
Below you will find a number of useful questions and answers. We have also created a Finding a home FAQ document which can be found below in the useful document section.
Anyone can register with My Homefinder. Just fill in the application form and you are on your way.
The information on the application form will help us to assess whether you are eligible to join our waiting list, in the correct band for your housing needs: Gold, Silver or Bronze.
Take a look through the weekly advertisements listing all our available homes on My homefinder. You will be able to see the weekly rent for each home and what it has to offer, including the number of bedrooms and whether it has a garden.
If you see a home that’s perfect for you, you can make an expression of interest online. If you don’t hear from us by the end of the week, it is unlikely that your expression of interest has been successful. Remember, though, that new properties are listed almost every week, so don’t be too disappointed and keep trying.
The successful applicant will be the person who is in the highest band and who has been on the waiting list the longest. We will get in touch to invite you to view the property, meeting you there to show you around.
If you decide to accept the property, you will be sent a formal offer letter and we will let you know how soon you can sign the tenancy and receive the keys to your new home.
If your tenancy begins on or after 4 December 2017
Your rent is payable two weeks in advance. Before you start your new tenancy you will need to pay two week’s rent. Your last payment will be due two weeks before the date your tenancy ends.
If your tenancy began before 4 December 2017 or you are moving into a home which is part of a retirement living community
Your tenancy agreement sets out when you should pay your rent. This is usually every week or every month. Your rent is paid in arrears. This means that your last rent payment will be due at the end of your tenancy. Rent in advance is payable regardless of your income.
If you can’t afford to pay rent in advance you might be able to apply for a budgeting loan. To qualify for a budgeting loan, you or your partner must have been receiving income support or income based jobseeker's allowance for at least 26 weeks.
You can apply for a budgeting loan at your local Jobcentre Plus. You can also apply online or download a claim form here.
Budgeting advances are available to people to people claiming Universal Credit.
If you already claim housing benefit or universal credit in your current home, you can ask your council for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) towards your rent in advance payment.
Paying your rent in advance reduces the possibility of rent debt and gives you the peace of mind that your home is secure.
As a social landlord it is important that we help all our customers to avoid rent debt. We want to provide support including debt advice and help into work. We want to meet the growing need for affordable housing and keep investing in home improvements. Most of all we want to provide people and families with secure homes.
If you begin your tenancy on or after 4 December 2017 you will be given a six-year fixed-term tenancy agreement. You will be required to complete a 12 month probationary period to the satisfaction of the association. As long as there haven’t been any problems with the tenancy at the end of the 12 month probationary period you tenancy will continue for a further five years.
At the end of the six-year fixed-term tenancy agreement, your tenancy may be renewed, as long as there have been no tenancy breaches or significant changes in your circumstances.
Throughout the term of the tenancy and in the final year of the agreement, we will review the conduct of the tenancy as well as household circumstances, to help us understand whether a particular property is still suitable for the customer.
Please view our handy leaflet below to find out more.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 An introduction to your tenancy.pdf | 1.14 MB |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Finding a home FAQs.pdf | 225.08 KB |
| SSHA Lettings Policy.pdf | 308.5 KB |
| Lettable Standard.pdf | 3.9 MB |
Registered in England and Wales as a Charitable Community Benefit Society (28312R)
VAT Number: 135 5241 33