Preston

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Frequently asked questions

  

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

How does the scheme work?

Easy Guide

Step 1 - The customer fills in an application form and registers with Select Move

Step 2 - They are put on a list (called a 'band') of people wanting to move home

Step 3 - Lists of homes to rent are published in a newsletter available from all partner housing offices. Adverts of properties available are also displayed in the housing offices. The Select Move website carries details of all the available properties.   

Step 4 - The list comes out every week on a Saturday.   From the date the list is published, customers have got five days to show their interest in individual homes advertised.

Step 5 - After the closing date, the Select Move partnership looks at how many people have shown an interest in each home advertised.  

If only one person has shown an interest in a property and they are suitable, they will get an offer.  

If more than one person is interested in a home, the customer who most closely matches the property requirements will get the offer.  If more than one person is still suitable, the person registered with Select Move the longest will be successful.

How are people picked to go in each band?

We wll assess your application on the information you provide to us. Every application is assessed according to their needs.  If you would like details of the criteria we can send you a copy upon request.

If I give you my reference number can you say where I am on the list?

There’s no way to tell you where you are on the list because it changes from day to day.

When you express an interest in a home we can tell you where you are at that moment in time. But this could change within a few minutes, hours or days, if other people then show an interest in that same home.

We can’t predict who will be interested in a home or what your chances are of getting the home you want. It all depends on whom you are competing against for each property.

I’ve got a serious medical problem. Does this make me a priority?

It depends. We base your medical priority on your needs and how suitable your current housing is.

We will only award medical priority if you have a life threatening illness and:

Rehousing will improve or stabilise your medical condition

OR

Your mobility will be improved or helped if you are rehoused.

What happens if there are changes in my life?

It depends what changes have happened:

• Pregnant: Please supply a copy of your MATB1.
• New Baby: just tell us and give us a copy of the birth certificate.
• Moved Address: you need to fill in a new form because your housing circumstances will have changed. 
• Someone has moved into your home: You will need to fill in a new form so we can work out if your priority has changed.
• You want someone taken off your application: Please write and tell us who you want removed. If it is a joint tenant we will need their written permission before we can remove them, and we may need to discuss with you both what is to happen to the original application.
• Criminal Convictions: Please contact us for further advice.

You can notify us of a change in your circumstances by completing the on line change of circumstances form via this website.

Do I need to provide references?

Yes we want to build strong happy communities in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble where people want to stay. That’s why we ask for references from every Select Mover.

If you’re a tenant with a Registered Social Landlord we will request a reference from them. If you are working we may need a reference from your employer as well.

If you are a current tenant of a partner landlord you may receive a home visit before your application is made active and again prior to any formal offer of acommodation.

Can someone else deal with my application? 

Yes as long as we have your written permission we can do this. 

How long will it take to get a move?

We really can’t tell. It depends which homes you’re interested in, how many other people are interested in the same homes and which of you have been registered on that band the longest. However, we publish the registration date of the successful applicants for each property, so you can use this as a guide to waiting time.

What’s the advertising cycle?

We advertise a new list of available homes every week beginning on a Saturday. These homes are advertised for five days and the closing date for expressing an interest in any of them is midnight on the following Wednesday.

On the Thursday and Friday we draw up the shortlist for each home, carry out applicant checks and subsequently offer the homes.  In some cases this may be delayed if the previous tenant has not yet moved out of the property. 

Why are there age restrictions on some homes?

Some groups of homes are designed for older residents. These properties, known as “sheltered housing”, have support services tailored to meet the needs of elderly people. We can normally only house people 60 years and over in sheltered housing, although some schemes accept people from 55 years. Offering sheltered homes to younger people would affect other residents’ rights.

However, occasionally we have rehoused someone under 60 years old in these sheltered schemes. This is when the individual has had severe medical needs and can benefit from the support services available.

Sometimes, if there are a lot of elderly people in an area, or there have been problems with Anti Social Behaviour, we will offer homes to certain household types. The whole idea is to build balanced communities where people want to live.

I need to move now! Can I apply for a home that is smaller than my needs?

We will not support any move to a home that is not right for you. We want to make sure that when you move the property is suitable for your needs.

The government expects us to give reasonable preference to those in urgent need. So each property is advertised with preference to a particular band in the following ratio.

Band A - 40%
Band B - 30%
Band C - 15%
Band D - 10%
Band E - 5%

Can I swap homes with another tenant or tenants?

Tenants of Select Move landlords can create their own mutual exchange advert for their property to seek a swap with another Select Move tenant. You will need internet access to create your advert and to manage the replies from other tenants wishing to exchange.  The permission of both landlords is still required before any exchanges can be completed. 

To seek a National move please click on the Homeswap Direct tab at the top of this page.  

How can I apply for a garage

Customers wishing to rent a garage will need to complete a short application form online and once registered they can express an interest for advertised garages online or by phone and text etc.

Can I buy the home I rent?

Select Move tenants who want to buy their home may be entitled to do so through one of two schemes:

• The Right to Acquire
• The Preserved Right to Buy

Please contact your landlord for further information.