Home

                                                                  

Welcome to Doncaster HomeChoice

HomeChoice News Issue 3

Have a look at Issue 3 of the Doncaster HomeChoice newsletter. It includes some of the results from the recent customer survey we asked you to complete. There is also a range of useful information about our service improvements and the support the HomeChoice team can offer you. We have also posted a copy of the newsletter to all applicants who have applied to join the housing register.

An overview of HomeChoice

Doncaster HomeChoice is the way of allocating Council Houses in Doncaster. It allows you to apply for a home of your choice instead of waiting for us to contact you.

Doncaster HomeChoice is a 'choice based' lettings scheme and this means that you can choose which home, in which area you would like to live in.  A choice based lettings scheme offers more choice for customers and is transparent enabling you to make more informed choices.  We have produced a booklet called choosing an area to give information about the areas in Doncaster to help make this easier for you.

The first properties were advertised under Doncaster HomeChoice on 1 November 2007.

We have produced a DVD that takes you through each step of applying for a home.  You can view the video on the St Leger Homes website. Each image plays a different chapter of the video and gives further information about the whole process of applying for a home from start to finish.

You are able to bid on up to three properties each week either, through this website, through the automated telephone system on 0800 027 6235 or through text message to 07781 484 771.

In order to bid you must be registered with Doncaster HomeChoice.  If you are already registered with St Leger Homes of Doncaster for rehousing, you will have been sent confirmation of this in writing. If you wish to apply to register you can apply online by completing the online application form or you can download a printable version here.

To take account of housing needs there are five bands  – Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and General.  You will be banded according to your priority under the new allocations policy.  Your priority will be based on your application details.  You can bid for all properties that you are eligible for.  If more than one person applies for the same property, the customer with the earliest registration or effective date will be offered the property first.

Properties will be advertised from Thursday morning at 00.01am and will close on Monday night at 11.59 pm.  Shortlists will then be produced and we will contact the successful applicant on Wednesday or Thursday following the close of the advertisement.

Each week we will publish the properties that we have allocated in previous weeks.

From 1 April 2009, changes have been made to Doncaster HomeChoice, following the consultation process carried out during October & November 2008. You can view a copy of the current Doncaster Council's Allocations policy or a guide to Doncaster Council's Allocations policy that gives an overview of the main points.

A news letter was sent to all our customers, explaining the changes.

From April 2009, we have been and are continuing to work with with some Housing Associations on a pilot scheme, to advertise some of their vacancies in our HomeChoice advert to give you a wider choice.  You can bid on these properties in the normal way and will be contacted by the Housing Association if you are successful. For more information about Housing Associations please refer to the partners and other housing options page.

Introductory Tenancies

Please be aware that from Monday 07 June 2010, introductory tenancies will come in to force. A fact sheet is avaliable for your information. 

All new tenancies will be introductory tenancies unless you are already a secure council tenant or an assured tenant with a Housing Association.  If this is the case, you will become a secure tenant with us.

Introductory tenancies will last for one year. At the end of the year the tenancy will become a secure tenancy.  If the conditions of the introductory tenancy are broken, St Leger Homes will be able to take legal action which could result in losing your home. We can also apply for a notice to extend the introductory tenancy for a further six months.

You will receive details about introductory tenancies when you are offered a property, there are more details on the St. Leger Homes of Doncaster website.

Moving into your own home can be an exciting time – but also an expensive one

If you have managed household bills before, you will know about the costs involved in running a home. However, if you are managing a household budget for the first time, you will need to think carefully about how much money you will need to set up your home and pay your regular bills.

Find out what costs you will need to think about here.

Visit St. Leger Homes new website www.SLHDMoneywise.co.uk to find out more about how to make the most of your money, check you are getting the right income, choose the right energy supplier and manage your debts.

You can also check your benefits are correct with the Benefits Calculator

Helping You to Use the Service

If you or someone you know would like help to use our service please contact us on 01302 862628 or go to our contact us page on this web site.