I am a Housing Association Tenant

Housing associations are private, non-profit making organisations that provide low-cost "social housing" for people in need of a home. All income (including rent) that a Housing Association receives is put back into acquiring new properties and maintaining current their current housing stock.

In the Folkestone & Hythe Council district, there are several housing associations that own properties, such as Hyde Housing, Town & Country Housing Group, Moat, Southern Housing, Sanctuary Housing, Housing 21 and Places for People.

Housing Association properties will appear on Kent Homechoice website alongside Council properties and you can express an interest in these properties by placing a bid on them in the same way that you would bid for Council properties.

Housing associations will often initially give new tenants a “Starter Tenancy”, this will usually be for 12 months. At the end of the 12-month period you will be offered either an Assured Tenancy, which will last for the rest of your life, or a Fixed Term Tenancy usually lasting for 5 years.

Further information on social housing in Kent can be found here: https://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/content/social-housing.

Your home is at risk if you do not keep up with your rent payments.

If you don't pay your rent on time your account will be in arrears and your Housing Association will take action to recover the arrears, which may eventually lead to eviction. If you find yourself in this position, always contact your Housing Association to explore ways that they can help you meet your rent payments.

Struggling to pay rent?

Missing rent payment and falling into rent arrears can happen to anybody. It can happen for number of reasons; maybe you were faced with an unexpected bill or an illness meaning you were unable to work. Maybe you are experiencing problems with your benefit payments. If you find yourself struggling to make ends meet it is essential that you contact us as soon as possible so we can help you find solution.

We have committed benefits and money advisor to help you if you are struggling with rent, benefits, debt and/or budgeting. If you feel you would benefit from this service you can call: 01303 853000 to arrange for the benefits and money advisor to contact you.

Help to budget

If you are worried about keeping up with your rent payments there are also lot of independent organisations who can offer free and impartial advice:

• StepChange Debt Charity has lot of useful information. Get help online or call: 0800 138 1111 (lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm).
• National Debtline offer free, independent advice and they have an online service called My Money Steps, or call: 0808 808 4000.
• Wave Community Bank is a credit union offering safe savings and affordable loans for Kent residents. Family Saver Loans help families borrow for family needs and are repaid using child benefit. All loans have a savings element to repayments so borrowers build their savings as they repay the loans. Join and saving online or via the mobile app. Phones are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am-1.00pm and emails between 9.30am to 4.00pm. Call: 0300 303 3188, Email: info@wavecb.org.uk.
• Moneyhelper is a free and impartial service set up by the Government. Visit the website or Call: 0300 500 5000.

Income Maximizing

If you are on a low income you can assess your entitlement to benefits and complete a budget planner to help to maximize your income at: Homelessness Prevention Tool.

Reporting a repair

Repairs are reported directly to the housing association and they are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the property. You will need to allow the housing association access to complete any repairs.

Mutual Exchange/Home Swap

Mutual exchanges allow you to swap your home with another tenant living in a council or housing association property anywhere in the country. Each landlord must agree before an exchange can take place.

The site which we and many other local authorities and housing association use is Homeswapper. This is free and easy to use. You will need to register and create an advert for your property for other tenants to see. We will then let you know if your application has been successful.

Once you have found a home that you would like to exchange to, all households involved must complete the online application form on the Homeswapper website.

Approval is given if all aspects of the exchange meet the criteria and as long as the other landlord is a social housing provider that allows mutual exchange.

If you or the other party are not registered on Homeswapper but have found an exchange, please contact the Housing Team who will send you an invitation via email to complete the online application form without the need for you to register.

Each landlord will carry out various checks including:

• No rent or other charges are owed.
• Your property is in good condition.
• You have lived in your present home for at least a year and are no longer on an Introductory Tenancy.

If you have any questions Email: mutual.exchanges@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or call: 01303 853300.

Applying for a transfer

If your current home no longer meets your housing needs and you wish to transfer within the Folkestone & Hythe District you should complete the online housing application form on the Kent Homechoice website at: https://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/. For more information about completing a housing application access: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/housing/khc-social-affordable-housing/2.

Useful contacts