Transfer to another Lambeth property
Sometimes our tenants would like a transfer to a different property and we try to help everyone as much as we can.
In order to provide a fair system for people wanting housing and for people wanting to transfer to different properties Lambeth Council have an allocation scheme which sets out the priorities for people seeking housing and who have joined the housing register. All our tenants are eligible to join the housing register. However, tenants who have rent arrears will generally not be eligible for a transfer.
United Residents Housing operates within Lambeth’s housing allocations scheme.
How do I apply to transfer to a different property?
In order to join the transfer list (which is part of the housing register) and to be able to bid for properties you need to fill in a transfer application form. These forms are available from the estate office, by phoning 020 7926 0158 or online at www.lambeth.gov.uk
Please return your completed application form to the estate office.
Join the Housing Register
Please note United Residents Housing cannot register applicants to join the housing register; however, an application form to join the housing register is available from the estate office.
Choice Based Lettings
In April 2008, Lambeth Council moved to a system of allocations called choice based lettings. This means that when council homes become available for rent they will be advertised across the estate via a booklet, in the estate office, and on the internet via a website called Home Connections at www.homeconnections.org.uk
If you are on Lambeth’s transfer list or housing register you can record your interest in an advertised property. You will only be able to “bid” for example on sheltered housing for older people and on adapted properties for disabled people.
Once you are registered on the transfer list we will send you details of your priority group and the number of points you have, so that you can see how you stand against other applicants. You will also be issued with a user ID number, which is also your application reference number, and a PIN that is unique to you. You will use these when you come to “bid” for a property.
How Do I Bid?
You will be able to bid for a property from the Wednesday when the property is first advertised through to midnight the following Monday.
You can bid via the internet, by telephone, or by text messaging from a mobile phone. Whichever way you bid, you will need your User ID, PIN and the property advert number. Residents may also use the office computer to bid on a Wednesday afternoon, please kindly contact the estate office to arrange an appointment.
For more information on how to bid, ask for a copy of the booklet “A User Guide to Choice Based Lettings,” which is available from the estate office or by phoning 020 7926 0158.
The more active you are in bidding, the more chance you have of securing a move. Direct offers will only be made to emergency applicants.
Transfer applications – our service standards:
- We will endeavor to register your transfer application request and tell you how many points you have been awarded within 10 working days of the receipt of the application form.
- We will provide information about your re-housing options
- We will advise you of appropriate organisations that may be able to assist you in your search for a transfer.
If you request a mutual exchange, we will acknowledge your request within 7 working days and aim to complete the process within 42 days - We will advertise your request in our estate residents’ notice boards
You may not register for a transfer if:
- You are in rent arrears
- You have failed to maintain the terms of a Court Order
- You have been served with a Notice of Seeking Possession or a Demotion of Tenancy Notice
- You are an introductory tenant
Sheltered Housing in Lambeth
What is sheltered housing?
Sheltered housing is secure, self-contained accommodation on small, purpose-built developments that are designed and run for people over 55.
All of the schemes have a sheltered housing officer based on the site. They are available to all residents during normal office hours. They can offer you advice, help and support on a range of matters, all with the aim of encouraging and supporting independent living.
Some of the schemes have shared facilities, such as lounges, daycentres, kitchens and laundries, where you are free to meet and socialise with other residents if you wish.
All of the sheltered accommodation is fitted with a warden call system, offering peace of mind for residents in cases of emergency.
Outside office hours, all flats are connected to the Lambeth Community Alarm Service, the emergency response centre in Brixton, which is staffed by trained officers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In an emergency, you can set off the alarm that will be answered by the control centre.
They also run a key-holding service so that if there is an emergency and your friends or family are not available, we can let the emergency services into your home.
Whereabouts are they?
They have schemes from Waterloo to West Norwood. There are various types and sizes of accommodation. Facilities vary from scheme to scheme, and all include self-contained flats or bed-sits with their own kitchen and bathroom.
Who is eligible?
If you are a Lambeth tenant or you are on the Lambeth Housing Register, you may be eligible for sheltered accommodation. You can also apply if you live in private rented accommodation and want to be considered for sheltered accommodation. You must be over 55 and will need to have a sheltered housing assessment to work out if you qualify for this type of property.
How do I apply?
If you are a Lambeth tenant, you should contact your estate office and ask to transfer into sheltered housing. The housing officer will refer you to the Sheltered Assessment section.
If you are on Lambeth’s Housing Register or renting private accommodation, you should contact the Sheltered Assessment section on 020 7926 4298 and they will arrange an interview for you. A translator can be arranged if you need one.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Sheltered Assessment section on 020 7926 4298 or the estate office on 020 7926 0158.
What happens next?
If you meet the conditions, you can go on the sheltered list to receive an offer of accommodation
Sheltered housing in Lambeth is very popular so you may have to wait some time before an offer is made to you
The more flexible you are in the areas you say you want to live, the shorter your wait is likely to be
How to contact them
If you are housebound, we can arrange to visit you at home. Please telephone the Sheltered Assessment section on 020 7926 4298.
Additionally you can visit them at:
Rehousing Advice Shop 2 – 7 Town Hall Parade Brixton Hill London SW2 1RP
For any other information regarding sheltered housing, please contact the estate office.
Wheelchair and mobility housing
What is wheelchair and mobility housing?
Wheelchair and mobility homes have been specially adapted for people with physical disabilities. Some are purpose-built whilst others have been adapted to suite the individual needs of someone already living there.
What is wheelchair-standard housing?
This type of housing is specifically built or adapted for a person who uses a wheelchair permanently. They are either self-contained flats or houses. If they are flats they will be on the ground floor.
They all have wider doorways and passages with enough space for wheelchair users to be able to move around comfortably. Some bathrooms have walk-in showers with built-in seating, others have baths with hoists that allows the user to be lowered into their bath.
Kitchen units are lower for easy access. Electrical switches and sockets are within easy reach of someone using a wheelchair. Some houses that have been adapted have lifts, giving the wheelchair user the freedom to move around their home.
What is mobility-standard housing?
The type of adaptation found in a mobility-standard property depends on the disability of the person living there. Mobility housing can have:
Ramps outside the home
Handrails in the corridors and bathrooms
Toilets that have been raised
Stair lifts for people living in houses and maisonettes
Who is eligible?
Current council tenants and private tenants applying to Lambeth for housing are eligible.
How do I apply?
If you are a council tenant, you should contact your housing officer who will arrange for a medical assessment to be carried out. A referral form can be completed in the estate office.
A social services community occupational therapist, with housing’s medical assessment officer, will do the assessment and recommend what type of home can be offered to you.
If you are a private tenant, you must join Lambeth’s Housing Register. If you are applying for the first time, one of the questions on the application form asks if anyone in your home has a disability. If you answer “Yes” to this question, your caseworker will arrange for a medical assessment to be carried out.
If you are already on Lambeth’s Housing Register, contact your caseworker who will arrange for a medical assessment. A medical assessment officer and a community occupational therapist will do the assessment and recommend what type of home is suitable for you.
What happens next?
The medical recommendation is noted on your application. You will then have to wait until it is your turn to be made an offer of accommodation or bid for a suitable property through choice based letting. The allocation officer will assess whether the property available meets your needs.
Other information
Adapted homes are in short supply, especially for people who need bigger homes
Most of the adapted homes are on estates
It is unlikely that you will be nominated to a housing association for an adapted home
You might not be able to transfer to another council because other councils keep adopted home for people living in their area
How to contact them
Rehousing Advice Shop 2 – 7 Town Hall Parade Brixton Hill London SW2 1RP
Phone: 020 7926 4279 or 020 7926 2023 Website: www.lambeth.gov.uk
Housing service for older residents
I am retired and would like to move to a smaller home, what are my options?
There are a number of options available for you to consider:
• You may apply for a smaller property by registering for a transfer.
• There are a number of schemes available for moving out of the London Borough of Lambeth. Please refer to our guidance leaflet entitled ‘Seaside and Country Homes’
• If you wish to exchange your home for a smaller one, you may be able to move under Lambeth’s Tenants Incentive Scheme (TIS). Residents who move under this scheme receive £1000 for each room vacated. Please contact the estate office for further details.
• You may apply for sheltered housing. Sheltered housing is a specialist type of accommodation and service which enables older people to continue to enjoy life in the community as independently as possible, with the benefit of friendship, support and security. If you would like to find out more about Lambeth’s sheltered accommodation scheme please contact the estate office.
• You may apply for a mutual exchange. Please refer to our guidance leaflet titled What is a mutual exchange?
I wish to remain in my home, what services can be provided?
If you wish to continuing living in your own home but require help, adaptations and/or additional support, your local Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) can make a referral to Lambeth Social Services to ensure you have your care needs assessed. It is important to understand that there may be is a long wait for this service.
United Residents Housing recognises that some residents only require minor adaptations that do not warrant the wait for a community care assessment. In recognition of this we have designated a limited resource to provide aids and adaptations to residents to make living in their home much easier. We can for example fix handrails to stairs and bath areas, erect access ramps, lower plug sockets and/or change tap heads. We can also provide competitive quotations to supply and install over bath shower units. Please contact the estate office for further details.
Will I be entitled to any financial assistance?
The local authority, Lambeth Council is required to provide disabled facilities grants to eligible applicants to ensure their home is suitable for their needs. A disabled facility grant is available to both council residents and homeowners to a limit of £25,000. The grant can be used on any adaptation that will make it easier for the disabled person to live independently.
Occupational Therapy
Hopton House
243A Streatham High Road, London SW16 6EY
Phone: 020 7926 5555
E-mail: occupationaltherapy@lambeth.gov.uk
A Leaflet regarding claiming a disabled facilities grant is available from the estate office. We also have a dedicated ‘independent living’ advice folder in the estate office.
Contacts
Disabled Living Foundation
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
Phone: 0845 130 9177
Lambeth’s Transfer Incentive Scheme: T: 020 7926 5515
Lambeth’s Sheltered Housing Service
2-7 Town Hall Parade, London SW2 1RP, T: 020 7926 4407
Help the Aged
www.helptheaged.org.uk
207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ, T: 020 7278 1114
E-mail: info@helptheaged.org.uk
Seaside and Country Homes phone 08450 21 20 20
Age Concern
Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk
Freephone information line 0800 00 99 66
Direct.Gov
Website: www.direct.gov.uk
Easy access to the public services you use and the information you need, delivered by the UK government
Home Connections
Website: www.homeconnections.org.uk
This is the new choice based lettings scheme for Lambeth Council homes and for housing association rented properties in Lambeth.