Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre
Local Lettings Policy
Futures Housing Group and Erewash Borough Council
October 2024
The site
Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre
The Longmoor Lane development is expected to be completed by Autumn 2024.
The 22 homes for Social Rent on this development, to which this Local Lettings Policy applies are:
- 2 x 2 Bedroomed 4 person Semi-Detached Bungalows
- 1 x 2 Bedroomed 4 person Detached Bungalow
- 8 x 2 Bedroomed 4 persons Houses
- 8 x 3 Bedroomed 5 person Houses
- 3 x 4 Bedroomed 6 person Houses
Also on the site are:
2 x 2 Bedroomed 4 person Semi-Detached Bungalows
- 8 x 2 Bedroomed 4 persons Houses for Shared Ownership
- 6 x 3 Bedroomed 5 person Houses for Shared Ownership
A link to the site on Google Maps can be found here: Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre.
The Properties have been developed for Futures Housing Group. This agreement is therefore between Erewash Borough Council and Futures Housing Group.
Reason for the Local Lettings Policy and Background
Erewash Borough Council, through its strategic housing role, has a responsibility to help Erewash residents have good quality homes and housing services which meet their needs, and help create sustainable, mixed and balanced communities. At the same time, we need to ensure that those in urgent housing need are housed as soon as possible.
The Home-Options Policy (which is agreed by the Home-Options partners, including Futures Housing Group and Erewash Borough Council) highlights that local lettings policies have an important role in widening housing choices for local people and helping to provide sustainable communities. The national and regional housing agendas encourage mixed tenures that cater for a range of households with varying needs and aspirations.
We want to ensure that this development caters for a variety of residents as opposed to concentrations of households with particular support needs.
Legal Framework
This approach complies with the government’s guidance issued through the Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in England (DLUHC, October 2023). This guidance allows local housing authorities to use local lettings policies to achieve a wide range of housing management and policy objectives.
The Local Lettings Policy Criteria
Futures Housing Group and Erewash Borough Council are proposing a local lettings policy which reflects key features in order to ensure a sustainable, mixed and balanced community on this development.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE APPLIES TO HOUSES FOR SOCIAL RENT, which means:
- 8 x 2 Bedroomed 4 persons Houses
- 8 x 3 Bedroomed 5 person Houses
- 3 x 4 Bedroomed 6 person Houses
The criteria will be followed util all 19 houses as above have been let, which is anticipated to be Autumn/Winter 2024.
Preference will be given as follows:
(1) For 50% of all lets. Preference will be given to applicants who are transferring from larger housing association properties in the Home-Options partnership, particularly those whose housing benefits have been reduced due to under-occupation
(2) In addition to the above criteria, for 50% of all lets: Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that they are in employment or training. This will include full- or part-time employment or training for the last six months. Only employed (or in training) applicants that are also in housing need (bands A-C) will be awarded this degree of additional preference.
Applicants may be counted under both categories i.e. as an applicant who is a transferring tenant and an applicant who in employment or training.
(3) For the 4 bedroomed houses: Preference will be given to applicants whose household could not be suitably accommodated in large 3 bedroomed properties
If we are unable to fully achieve lettings under the above criteria, based on the bids received, then lettings will be made under the normal allocations procedures under the Home-Options Policy.
Re-lets of the properties for Social Rent, after the initial lets in 2024 will be carried out in accordance with the Home-Options Policy or any subsequent policy.
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE APPLIES TO BUNGALOWS FOR SOCIAL RENT, which means:
- 2 x 2 Bedroomed 4 person Semi-Detached Bungalows
- 1 x 2 Bedroomed 4 person Detached Bungalow
These properties include:
- Open plan kitchen/living/dining
- Shower with tray
- Level access to front of property
- Nearby parking
These properties will be allocated to those 55+ years old, or those who require level access housing for medical/mobility reason.
Whilst these are two-bedroomed bungalows, they may be let to single people or childless couples who are in need of these facilities, if it is confirmed that full housing benefit can be paid, or there is other regular income to pay the full rent (some single people or childless couples under retirement age may have housing benefit reductions under the social housing size criteria regulations (the “bedroom tax”).
Direct lets may be considered for these properties.
The criteria will be followed for initial lets and subsequent lets.
Fair access to housing
We wish to ensure the number of lettings to households from Black and Minority Ethnic Community on this development reflects the composition of the Sandiacre community (as indicated in census or other indicator of housing needs). If this is not reflected during the allocation process, then the housing association will work with the Council to determine reasons why and to consider slight changes in the marketing and lettings criteria to ensure this is reflected where possible in future.
Mutual Exchanges
Mutual exchanges will be allowed into and out of the development in accordance with Futures Housing Group and other landlords’ normal processes. Lettings through mutual exchanges may therefore be outside of this local lettings policy. For more details see the Mutual Exchange page on the Home-Options website.
Public Consultation
The draft Local Lettings policy was subject to public consultation via this website from 12 October until 20 October 2024. One response was received which did not require an amendment to the draft. So the draft policy has been adopted as the final policy.
Contact details
Any queries about this Local Lettings Policy can be made to:
Futures Housing Group
Futures House
Building 435
Argosy Road
Castle Donnington
Derbyshire
DE74 2SA
Contact Number: 0300 456 2531
Home.choices@futureshg.co.uk