Havering

Havering

Welcome to the Havering section of the ELLC website.

To contact Us 

For advice and assistance please call the lettings team on 01708 434 130. The Havering Council website can be found by clicking here - this will open another window.

Who can use the service

Havering operates a Banding system, A – E, designed to assess each applicant according to their circumstances, giving those with severe or more pressing housing needs a higher priority over those who are in less housing need or those who are adequately housed but would like to move to a different property. Within the Bands applications are ranked in data order.

Havering wants everyone on the housing register to be able to participate in Choice Homes and the lettings team are working closely with colleagues in other service areas to ensure that this service can be easily accessed. For those applicants who are housebound and are unable to arrange collection of the magazine we will arrange for a copy to be posted to them.

Magazine and free computer access

The magazine is availble from the locations listed below. Free Internet access is available at all libraries in Havering, althought it is adviseable to book in advance as this is a popular service.

Libraries and Local Service Centres

• Harold Hill Library - Hilldene Avenue, Harold Hill, RM3 8DJ
• Homes in Havering Head Office, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill
• Housing Options Shop, Farnham Road, Harold Hill 
• Romford Central Library, St. Edwards Way, Romford, RM1 3AR
• Collier Row Library - 45 Collier Row Road, Romford, RM5 3NR
• Elm Park Library - St Nicholas Avenue, Hornchurch, RM12 4PT
• Central Library - 32-34 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR
• Public Advice & Service Centre - Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford

London Borough of Havering will now be using The Language Shop for all its translation, interpretation and sign language needs.

This will replace previous service providers we have used such as Big Word.  The Language Shop is responsible for ensuring and supporting public sector organisations across Greater London in Health and Local Government to communicate effectively with non-English speaking and Deaf patients and residents. It is a partnership of four East London boroughs.  Services provided by The Language Shop include; face to face interpreting, telephone interpreting, translation, reproduction of print material in large print and in Braille, and British Sign Language interpreting.

The Lettings Areas

This map of the borough shows you the lettings areas we use to indicate where the available properties are

Housing Supply

In common with all local authorities Havering is experiencing a growing demand for accommodation that outweighs the supply and certain parts of Havering have little or no available properties. However we are working very closely with housing associations to increase the supply of rented accommodation. You are therefore urged to be to be as flexible as possible in your choices about where you want to live and what type of property you want. Being less restrictive could mean you move into a property very quickly.

Bidding

You can only bid for two properties per cycle but you can withdraw a bid and bid on another property if you wish.

After Bidding has Finished

When bidding closes all bids are automatically sorted in Band and date order. The lettings staff will then check your eligibility and if your circumstances have changed or you have debts to the Housing Service amounting to more than the equivalent of 4 weeks rent you will not be selected for an offer.

Once all the checks have been made the lettings staff will pass you details on to our viewing team who will then arrange for an escorted viewing of the property and for the tenancy to be signed up.

Void Lettable Standard – Our Commitment to You

Homes in Havering have a resident approved Lettable standard for the condition of which we let our empty properties. This standard is a guide to all incoming and transferring tenants on what works they should expect to find have been done before they move into their new home. This standard has been approved by the residents through consultation and bears the Resident Approved Logo.

Listed below are our service standards for managing empty homes:

• Arrange to change the locks of an empty home within 24 hours of the keys being handed in and arrange to inspect the property to check for asbestos and carry out gas and electrical checks within one day of changing the locks; 
• Check all empty properties to ensure that they are free from rubbish and are safe and secure;
• Ensure that all empty properties are clean and cleared both inside and out to the Lettable standard before letting;
• Aim to re-let our empty properties within 25 working days;
• Inspect  all the work we have carried out prior to re-letting to make sure the property meets our ‘Lettable Standard’;
• Carry out viewings with prospective tenants.
• Complete minor repair work within one month of the tenancy start date; and
• Recharge for any repairs that are deemed to be the outgoing tenants’ responsibility or damage

Homes in Havering reward those tenants who leave their properties in excellent condition when they terminate their tenancy as detailed in the welcome pack given to you when you sign for your tenancy.  To qualify for this one off payment the property must pass a suitable exit inspection which will be conducted by a Homes in Havering officer and the tenant; if this is passed the exiting tenant will qualify to receive a cheque for £150.  Please note – you do not qualify if you are leaving a property due to mutual exchange or assignment. 

If you require further information regarding this scheme, or if you would like to discuss the Lettable Standard, please contact the Home Options team direct on: 01708 386305