Waltham Forest

Welcome to the Waltham Forest Page on the East London Lettings Company website

Allocations Policy Changes - Important Please Read

Due to the lack of family-sized accommodation, all customers can now bid for a property with one bedroom less than they have been assessed as needing.  Some applicants were previously allowed to bid for a smaller property but this has now been opened up to everyone as follows:-

1 bedroom cases  can bid for 1 bedroom accommodation and studio flats (no change)

2 bedroom cases  can now bid for 1 and 2 bedroom accommodation (this is new)

3 bedroom cases  can now bid for 2 and 3 bedroom accommodation (this is new)

4 and 4+ bedroom cases  can bid for 3 and 4 bedroom accommodation (no change)

We do realise that most customers will still want to bid for the correct size of property that they may need.  However, we hope that the increased flexibility will help some applicants.

It should be noted that housing associations and other landlords will not allow any overcrowding at the time of an allocation.  In view of this, we would advise our customers not to bid for housing association properties or vacancies from other landlords that are smaller than they need, as an offer will not be made under these circumstances if a successful bid is placed.

We will be providing details of further policy changes over the next few weeks.

Getting in contact with us

Waltham Forest are keen to ensure that all applicants are able to access the Choice Homes Scheme and are working with various agencies and support groups who can assist clients and act as advocates for them.

A few examples of assistance on offer are:-

• Disabled and housebound applicants may be able to have a copy of the Choice Homes magazine posted to them. This service is also available to applicants living in our out-of-borough estates (Billericay / Wickford / Essex).
• Some applicants may be able to have bids for available properties submitted on their behalf.
• Some applicants may be able to submit their bids for available properties by fax or email.

Obviously, we want everyone to have access to the Scheme. However, in particular, we need to ensure that people in the following groups do not face any difficulty in accessing the service:-

• People who are partially sighted or blind.
• People who have hearing difficulties or who are deaf.
• People who are vulnerable or have mental health issues
• People with learning difficulties
• People who are registered disabled or housebound
• People with language difficulties

If you are on Waltham Forest's housing register and you fall into one of the groups mentioned above or you know of someone who does and would like some additional advice and assistance in accessing the Choice Homes Scheme, then please do not hesitate to contact the Housing Options Group:

By Telephone - 020 8496 5422 or 020 8496 5428 or 020 8496 5429 or 020 8496 6496

By Fax - 020 8496 5579

By Email - Allocations.Housing@walthamforest.gov.uk

In Writing - Housing Services, Cedar Wood House, 2D Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow, E17 4GG

Web The website for Waltham Forest is here.

Magazine, kiosk and free computer access

The magazine is available free of charge from the locations listed below. Free internet access is available at all libraries. Libraries are not open on Wednesdays. You can use any of the kiosks listed on this site to bid.

Allocations Policy from 18th May 2007

We have now completed a Review of the 15,000+ applicants that were on our Housing Register. Unfortunately, a high number of customers have failed to respond to their review letters and will now have their housing applications cancelled.

For those customers who do remain on our Housing Register, there has been a major change in that way that the majority of cases will be prioritised for alternative housing. These changes will take effect from 18 May 2007, with the implementation of our new Allocation Policy.

The main change will be in the way that Reasonable Preference priority is awarded to our customers. We have now awarded varying levels of priority points to those applicants placed within the Reasonable Preference Band.

The new policy will give greater priority to people who have more than one reason for requiring a move to alternative accommodation, e.g. overcrowding as well as medical need. This will mean that some customers may therefore have more or less priority than they did previously under our old policy. As before, you will need to check the Choice Homes magazine or website each week to see the priority of the successful bidders for the properties advertised in the previous bidding cycle.

In addition to the varying levels of priority for the Reasonable Preference Band, there will also be a major change in the way that our homeless clients are rehoused (where we have a legal obligation to provide them with housing). Ordinarily, we will no longer award Additional Preference to our homeless applicants. This may apply to all cases that make a homeless approach on or after 18/05/2007. In most instances, homeless applicants are likely to remain in temporary accommodation for an indefinite period of time (several years). This may be a bed & breakfast, hostel, annexe, or private sector leased property.

Because our homeless applicants will ordinarily no longer receive 3 months Additional Preference priority, we expect that a higher percentage of the advertised vacancies may be let to applicants within the Reasonable Preference Band.

At the end of each bidding cycle, the bids that have been placed for the advertised properties will be listed & prioritised as follows:-

1.  Additional Preference cases will be listed & prioritised at the top, according to date of Additional Preference priority award (oldest first).
2.  If there are no bidders with Additional Preference, the top bidder with Reasonable Preference will be considered for an allocation of the property.
3.  Bidders with Reasonable Preference will always be listed & prioritised below those applicants with Additional Preference.
4.  If there is more that one bidder with Reasonable Preference, the applicant(s) with the highest number of Reasonable Preference points will be listed & prioritised above other Reasonable Preference cases with lower points.
5.  If there is more than one bidder with the same number of Reasonable Preference points, the applicant that has had that number of points the longest will be listed & prioritised above all other Reasonable Preference cases with the same points level.
6.  If there is more than one bidder with the same number of Reasonable Preference points and the same points award date, the applicant with the same points level and points award date but with the oldest registration date will be listed & prioritised above all other Reasonable Preference cases with the same points level and points award date.
7.  Bidders with No Preference will always be listed & prioritised below those applicants with Reasonable Preference.
8.  Where there is more than one bidder with No Preference, the applicant(s) who has been on the housing register the longest will be listed & prioritised above all other No Preference cases.

The number of customers within the Reasonable Preference Band in each bedroom group and at each points level will be published regularly, to enable our customers to work out the likelihood of being rehoused. Sadly, even with the new priority scheme, there are still only a very limited number of properties available and in reality the majority of applicants on the Housing Register will never be rehoused. In view of this, our customers should also consider making their own alternative housing arrangements. If you would like any advice regarding other possible options, please contact the Housing Registration Team (Tel. 020-8496-5422/ 5428/ 5427).

We have already written to all our existing customers regarding the new Allocation Policy so we expect that most people we will be aware of the change. However, if you do not understand anything or would like more information or details regarding the new policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Full details of the new Allocation Policy can be seen on the Council’s website at www.walthamforest.gov.uk (clicking here will open a new page) or provided upon request.

IMPORTANT CHANGE - Accessible Housing Now Available Through The Choice Homes Scheme

Until now, Waltham Forest have allocated Council & housing association general needs and sheltered accommodation via the Choice Homes Scheme.  However, accessible housing (wheelchair adapted and purpose built units) have previously been allocated in a different way.  These homes have been allocated by way of a direct offer, following consultation with our Senior Occupational Therapist in housing.  We have chosen which family best suits an empty property, according to their specific housing and disability needs.  By doing this, disabled applicants have not been able to see what numbers and types of properties become available in the magazine or website.

We are pleased to inform you that this is changing and all types of accommodation (general needs, sheltered, & accessible homes) will now be made available through the Choice Homes Scheme.

Applicants that have been assessed by the Council’s Health & Disability Panel and have awarded priority and given a specific recommendation for accessible housing will now be expected to bid for the type of accommodation that they have been assessed for.

How Will I Know if the Property Advertised has the Facilities I Need?

We will use the Accessible Housing Register categories to describe the property in the advert.  For more information, please read the “Guidance – Key to Symbols” at the back of the Choice Homes Magazine or on the website.

What is the Accessible Housing Register (AHR)?

The Accessible Housing Register (AHR) has been developed to add to the information already available to housing applicants when using Choice Based Lettings schemes. This information should allow disabled applicants to bid for properties which meet their mobility/access needs and reduce the number of properties considered accessible being let to applicants who do not need them.

An AHR provides information about a property's accessibility in a consistent format.  For example, whether a property is wheelchair accessible, has no steps or stairs, has a lift, or is located close to shops, transport and community facilities.

For more information or if you are unsure how this may affect you, please contact the contacting Housing Registration Section on 020 8496 5422 or call the Disability Adviser Melinda Christopher on 020 8496 5545.

Self Help Rent Deposit Scheme

We currently have over 2000 homeless applicants in temporary accommodation (including private leased properties) and over 2300 Council tenants waiting for alternative housing. In addition, we have over 10400 other applicants also registered and waiting for a home. The sad reality is that most of our customers will never be rehoused into suitable permanent accommodation. In view of this, the Council have now introduced a self-help Rent Deposit Scheme to help some our customers to find their own rented accommodation within the private sector. The scheme is aimed at assisting our homeless applicants in temporary accommodation and existing Waltham Forest Council tenants. Please note that we can only help Council tenants who currently occupy a property with 2, 3, 4, or more bedrooms. In most instances, Council tenants overcrowded in 1 bedroom properties may also be considered. Unfortunately, Council tenants in studio/bedsit accommodation are not eligible. Unfortunately, the scheme is not open to customers on our waiting list (non-council tenants).

What size properties are available?

Ordinarily, there are properties of all sizes (1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 bedroom accommodation) available to rent through the private sector. However, we would expect you to ensure that any property you select is of a suitable size to meet your household needs.

How does the scheme work?

Once you have been registered and accepted onto the scheme, you can locate private rented accommodation in any area(s) of your choice, including properties within other parts of the country (subject to certain conditions). We will give you some advice guidelines to help you with this. If the property is  suitable, the Council will do the following:-

• We will pay your deposit direct to the Letting Agent
• We will pay your first months rent direct to the Letting Agent
• We will arrange and pay for the removals to your new home
• We will arrange for you to receive a Relocation & Redecoration Grant of £250

If you are interested in finding out more or would like to register for the scheme, then contact us

Average Waiting

Waltham Forest would like to give some information about how many people we housed in the last financial year (2009/10), and how long applicants had to wait. Click here for more information.

Empty Properties

The council want to ensure that our properties are occupied by the proper tenants. If you spot a council property that is empty, or that you think is squatted or sub-let please phone the Empty Property Hotline on 020 8496 6502 and leave full details including the full address of the property. You do not need to leave your name and phone number, but if you do we will be able to call you back if we need to clarify details.