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Transfer Scheme

If you are an assured tenant of Guinness Midsummer and you wish to move to another Guinness Midsummer property you can apply to join the transfer waiting list. The waiting list is split into two streams, needs based and choice based lettings.

Needs Based Transfers

Three quarters of all transfer within our rental stock will be to people who apply on the basis of housing need. To qualify for this category you will need to show that you have a need for alternative accommodation because of one of the following reasons:

1. Overcrowding

We think that each of the following should not have to share a bedroom:

2. Underoccupation

Where the applicant has one or more bedrooms or bedspaces that are not needed.

3. Medical and health reasons

Where the health or disability of anyone in your household is made worse by your current accommodation and where your medical condition would clearly improve by re-housing. Also where you cannot use part of your home or you are unable to look after it due to medical or health reasons.

Full details will be required and the completed application form will give Guinness Midsummer authority to consult doctors and other professionals as appropriate.

We will try to assist tenants to remain in their own home where possible and will liase with the Community NHS Trust's occupational therapy department about providing aid's and adaptations such as grab rails, ramps and level access showers.

We have only a very small number of properties specifically adapted for wheelchair use. If you require this type of accommodation please speak to your Housing Officer and register on the Council's Joint Transfer List.

4. Social Reasons

Such as serious hardship resulting from living apart or needing to move nearer to a relative to give or receive support.

Choice Based Lettings

One quarter of all transfers within Guinness Midsummer housing stock will be allocated to people who wish to move to another area or house type on the basis of personal preference or for other non-needs based reasons.

Assessing Priority

Applications for needs or choice based streams will be prioritised in date order.

Exclusions

Each applicant for transfer will be judged on its own individual merits. We reserve the right not to accept a transfer application and also to remove an application from the Needs or Choice Based waiting list in the following circumstances:

Where the person(s) applying:

• Is shown to be making false or fraudulent application or deliberately created their position of housing need.
• Does not hold a full Assured Tenancy. Assured Shorthold Tenants, Starter Tenancies, Licensees and Leaseholders are excluded from the Transfer Scheme.
• Has seriously breached the terms of a current or previous tenancy.
• Has a history of non payment of rent or other housing related charges (except where arrears are demonstrably beyond the responsibility of the tenant i.e. delays in Housing Benefit.
• Has been associated with any anti-social behaviour harassment, serious neighbour nuisance or actual/threatening behaviour towards staff or other residents within the last five years.
• Has committed an offence that has specific relevance to Guinness Midsummer's housing stock or to the local community within the last five years.
• The applicant is unsuitable for the vacant property for other reasons e.g. the applicant is in need of support that is not available or the required level of support would undermine the quality of service to others.
• Where in the case of those applying for elderly persons accommodation, the applicant is under the age of 55 years or in the case of a couple both applicants are under the age of 55 (consideration will be given to the housing needs of carers).

A copy of our Exclusion Policy is available on request.

Withholding An Offer

Applications, which have already been accepted onto the waiting list, will not receive an offer of transfer in the following circumstances:

• Where there are rent arrears (where arrears have arisen since the application was accepted onto the waiting list), or other outstanding debts
• Where the property is in poor condition and would be unsuitable for re-letting in that condition.
• Where there are unauthorised improvements and where the work is considered to pose a health and safety risk or an unacceptable maintenance cost.

Appeals

Applicants may appeal against a decision made as a result of Guinness Midsummer's policy by following the complaints procedure contained in the Customer Service Charter. (A copy of the charter is available from the Housing Advice Team)

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal access to our housing regardless of race, sexual orientation, colour, ethnic origin, gender, religion or disability. A copy of our Equality and Diversity policy is available on request.

Tenants Living Outside Milton Keynes

If you are a tenant living outside Milton Keynes our ability to help you transfer locally is limited. You should therefore consider registering with your own local council and participate in any local exchange scheme to increase your chances of obtaining a move.

How to Apply For A Transfer

Step 1 – Contact the Housing Advice Team to discuss your circumstances to see if you may be eligible and a form will be sent to you.

Step 2 – Complete the application form, which includes a checklist of area where we own different sizes of rental property. You should select as many areas as possible to assist us to find a suitable transfer within a reasonable period of time. The completed form with any supporting evidence you wish to be considered, such as a doctors letter should be returned to the Housing Advice Team.

Step 3 – Homevist. We will make an initial assessment of your circumstances and a member of the Housing Services Team will contact you to arrange a home visit. The purpose of the visit is to talk to you about your application and to answer any questions you may have. Your present home will be checked for its general decorative condition, any outstanding repairs and alterations. You may also be asked to complete some repairs or re-decoration before an offer of transfer can be made.

Step 4 – Confirmation of acceptance onto the list. We will tell you if your application has been accepted and whether you will be placed on the list for the Needs or Choice Based letting stream. Your priority on the list will be based on the date your application was accepted.

Step 5 – Change of Circumstances. Whilst on the waiting list it is important that you let us know any changes in circumstances, which may affect your application. This would include any changes in telephone numbers so that we are able to contact you easily.

From time to time, we will also write to see if you still wish to move and if there are any changes in your circumstances.

We reserve the right to cancel your application should any changes in your circumstances mean that you are no longer eligible to remain on the waiting list.

Step 6 – Making an Offer. When we are in a position to make you an offer you will be given the opportunity to view the property with a Housing Officer.

You will be made a maximum of two "reasonable offers" based on the information you have provided. If both offers are refused, your application will be placed back onto the waiting list and reprioritised using the date of the last refusal.

If the offer is acceptable, you will need to ensure that any identified repairs are completed to your home and that your home is left in a clean and tidy condition so that we can re-let it as quickly as possible once you have moved out. Your Housing Officer will discuss with you suitable moving dates and answer any queries you may have.