Harrogate housing standards: allocations

Our statement of intent

The council will let affordable homes according to need with applicants offered homes which are of the right size and right type. Those with the highest need for a home will be given priority and be offered a new home more quickly than others.

How we aim to do this

The allocations team will:

1. Register your Housing Waiting List application within 28 days of receiving it and notify you of your unique application reference number and information on your points total.
2. Contact you within 28 days of receiving your Housing Waiting List application if we need to ask for additional information in order to register your application.
3. Reassess your Housing Waiting List application within 28 days, following a change in your circumstances and notify you of your new points total.
4. Provide you with information on independent advice services and other agencies in the district and, with your permission, make referrals to other agencies that may be able to help you.
5. Provide you with advice and assistance on your Housing Waiting List application.
6. Review your Housing Waiting List application each year.
7. Advise you about your right to review if you are unhappy about the way that we deal with your Housing Waiting List application.
8. Allocate vacant property to the Housing Waiting List applicant with the highest points in accordance with our approved allocations policy. The policy can be viewed at: Housing Allocation Scheme - Summary information
9. Ensure that any housing offered will be suitable to meet the needs of the successful applicant.
10. Select the successful applicant for a vacant property within 10 days of being  given formal notice that the property is becoming vacant.
11. Contact all Housing Waiting List applicants before making an offer of accommodation, to make sure it would be suitable for them.
12. Send a letter to the successful applicant to make them a formal offer of accommodation.
13. Ask the successful applicant to contact us within two days of the receipt of the letter, to let us know if they are no longer interested in accepting the offer of accommodation, so that we can offer the property to another applicant.
14. Make arrangements for the successful applicant to view the property, and to read and sign the Tenancy Agreement. If the applicant needs more time to decide whether they would like to proceed with the property we will require a decision within two working days of the viewing.
15. Advise the applicant what will happen if they refuse an offer of accommodation.
16. Provide an on line facility so that you can submit a housing application, provide required documentation such as identification, view your points and position, and update us on any changes in your circumstances.

 You can help us by:

1. Providing us with proof of your identity and circumstances.
2. Letting us know if any of your circumstances change.
3. Letting us know promptly if you are unable to attend any appointment.
4. Renewing your Housing Waiting List application promptly each year when we ask you to do so.
5. Acting on the advice that we give you.
6. Using the on line facility to view or update your details.

How performance is monitored

Our allocations performance is discussed at the quarterly meetings of the neighbourhood services and housing needs (tenant involvement) panel meetings.

Contact us

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this standard, please contact us.