Frequently asked questions

Question 1: What is the Housing Register? 

The Council's Housing Register lists all of the people who want to rent social housing in Hastings or who want to transfer from an existing social housing property. Hastings Borough Council doesn't own any residential properties, so there is no Council Housing in Hastings. People on the Housing Register will be applying for social housing that is owned by a Housing Association.

Question 2: Am I eligible to join the Housing Register?

To be eligible you will need to:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Have lived in Hastings or St Leonards for at least three out of the last 5 years
• Have an identified housing need, or
• Be seeking housing for older persons/sheltered accommodation

Question 3: What is a housing need?

A household may have a housing need if any of the following circumstances apply:

• Under-occupation of social housing
• Insanitary or overcrowded housing in accordance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Lacking bedrooms
• Medical conditions
• Risk of personal harm
• The need for works to be carried out on existing social housing properties
• Bedroom requirements for fostering and adoption
• Management transfers in social housing
• Difficulties in accessing and maintaining private rented sector accommodation
• The need for adaptations
• The need of applicants who have served in the armed forces
• Welfare and social needs
• Exceptional circumstances

Question 4: Who is not eligible to apply to the Housing Register?

• Anyone under the age of 16
• Households subject to immigration control who are ineligible for assistance
• Other persons from abroad who are ineligible for assistance
• Households living outside the UK Households currently in prison
• Households with significant rent arrears still outstanding to any former landlord
• Households considered by the local authority to have caused anti-social behaviour
• Households considered to have sufficient financial resources in order to meet their own housing needs
• Those without a local residency connection (with limited exceptions)
• Any household seeking general needs accommodation not considered to have a housing need
• Households giving false or misleading information or withholding information that has been reasonably requested

Question 5: How do I apply to join the Housing Register?

You will need to check first to see if you are eligible.

You can do this by:

1. Completing the Housing Register form
2. Contacting the Housing Options team on 01424 451100 to discuss your housing situation

If you are eligible, you can discuss joining the register with a member of the Housing Options team at the Community Contact Centre in Hastings Town Hall. You will need to make sure you bring personal information and identification for yourself and every member of your household including:

• Formal identification documents (photo ID)
• Proof of address history for the last 5 years
• Proof of income
• National Insurance Numbers
• Be seeking housing for older persons/sheltered accommodation

Question 6: What can I do if I don't agree with the decision that I am not eligible to join the Housing Register?

Please email us at housingoptionsteam@hastings.gov.uk telling us why you don't agree with our decision.

Question 7: What should I do if I don?t have a birth certificate or other ID documents?

You will need to get them. We cannot assist you without this documentation. If you require a birth certificate you will need to know which borough you were born in. You can go to the registry office in that area and pay for a copy of your full birth certificate or you can order one from www.gov.uk.

Question 8: What type of medical condition do I need to have to be considered in housing need?

Medical priority is awarded where a move to alternative accommodation would significantly improve the health or quality of life of an applicant or member of their family. It is not awarded on the basis of the medical conditions of household members alone. For some people with serious medical conditions, a move will not improve their health because they are already housed in the most suitable accommodation we can provide. Examples of scenarios where no medical priority will be awarded for an application to join the Housing Register are:

• Those with mild to moderate asthma (or other similar ailment) made worse by damp housing conditions
• Those with mild to moderate arthritis (or other similar ailment) made worse by their current housing conditions
• Those with mild to moderate depression/anxiety (or other similar ailment) made worse by their current housing conditions

Question 9: What type of antisocial behaviour stops people from joining the Housing Register?

Households will be ineligible to join the register if the conduct of any member of the household within the last 5 years amounts to antisocial behaviour that has resulted in intervention and/or action taken against them by the Police, Local Authority or previous landlord. Antisocial behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life (Home Office 2013). Households that can demonstrate their circumstances have changed and they have taken action to address the antisocial behaviour will be eligible to join the Housing Register.

Question 10: What type of rent arrears stop people from joining the Housing Register?

Households will be ineligible to join the register if any household member owes the equivalent of 3 or more months rent to a former landlord from any tenancy in the last 5 years. Households that can evidence that their circumstances have changed and they have since maintained a good tenancy record, that they are reducing their arrears through regular payments and that they have an arrangement in place to continue to pay, will be eligible to join the Housing Register.

Question 11: What is Homemove?

Sussex Homemove is the choice based lettings scheme that Hastings Borough Council uses to advertise social housing vacancies in Hastings. You can use Homemove once you are accepted onto the Housing Register to 'bid' for homes you would like to rent.

Question 12: How do I bid for properties?

You need to find out which properties are available. All available homes are advertised with photos and a full description every two weeks on the Sussex Homemove website. You can make bids online on the website, by text message, over the phone or by sending a coupon in the post. You can make up to three bids at a time. Although we call it bidding, no money changes hands - you're just telling us you're interested in the property. You will not be notified about your bids unless you are successful.

Question 13: How can I see the properties available if I don't have access to the internet?

There are computers available at the library or at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 14: How do I choose which property to bid for?

The adverts on www.homemove.org.uk will tell you about the size, type and location of the property, usually with a photo of a similar property type. You need to carefully read the whole advert to check that the property is suitable to meet your needs. Please ensure you look at the symbols to ensure that this is a property that you are able to bid on as some properties are only available to certain types of households, e.g. transfer tenants. You can also look at the feedback to see who was successful in earlier bid rounds. That will show you which properties and areas are the most popular. On the website you will only see details of properties that match your assessed need, for example, if you have been assessed as needing 2 bedrooms you will only be able to see the adverts for 2 bedroom properties.

Question 15: How do you decide which bid is successful?

All eligible bids for each property are placed into priority order called the 'shortlist'. Priority is then determined by priority band. If more than one person in a band applies, people will then get prioritised in date order from the time they went into the band. Everyone who has told us they're interested will be listed in band order. If more than one person in a band applies, people with a local connection to the area will be listed first. People then get prioritized in date order from the time they went into the band.

Visit www.homemove.org.uk for further information about the scheme guide.

Question 17: What is my bidding number?

You can find out your bidding number by calling 01424 451100 or by going to the Community Contact Centre.

Question 18: What can I do if I don't know how to bid?

Please go to the Community Contact Centre where a Customer Service Officer will show you how to bid or call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer.

Question 19: Can the Council put a bid on for me?

If you cannot put bids on for yourself you will need to contact us. We may signpost you to another organisation that may be able to help you do this such as Homeworks, Steps or Reconnect.

Question 20: I know a Housing Association property that has been empty for months, why hasn't it been advertised?

This could be due to a number of reasons, for example, major works being carried out to the property from when the previous tenants left. You can only bid on the properties that are advertised on the Homemove website.

Question 21: How long does it take to get social housing?

The waiting time for social housing varies in accordance with the type and availability of property; the current waiting times are available in our Homemove area.

Question 22: How will I know if my banding changes?

You will not automatically be written to, but you will be able to see any changes to your banding when you log in to the Homemove system to bid. If your banding is increased to a higher band then your priority date will change to the date that your banding increased. This is to ensure that all those in the same band are treated fairly.

Question 23: What can I do if I think my banding is wrong?

You will need to email us at housingoptionsteam@hastings.gov.uk giving all of your reasons and any supporting information from other agencies. This will help us review your application. You need to allow us 56 days in which to make this decision.

Question 24: What should I do if my family size has changed since I joined the Housing Register?

You will need to call your Housing Options Officer to discuss any changes to your case. If you do not have a Housing Options Officer, please call 01424 451100 to discuss the change to your circumstances.

Question 25: I have moved address but want to stay on the Housing Register, what do I need to do?

You will need to see whether you are still eligible by completing the Housing Register form.

Question 26: What can I do if my home is overcrowded?

Please call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer or go to our drop-in at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 27: What should I do if I'm going to be homeless soon?

Please call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer or go to our drop-in at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 28: What should I do if I can?t afford to pay my rent or mortgage?

Please call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer or go to our drop-in at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 29: What can I do if I am having problems with my neighbours?

If you are a Housing Association tenant, please contact your Housing Officer for assistance. Alternatively, please call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer or go to our drop-in at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 30: What can I do if I am having problems with my landlord?

Please call 01424 451100 and ask to speak to a Housing Options Officer or go to our drop-in at the Community Contact Centre.

Question 31: What can I do if I have disrepair issues, such as damp, poor windows or bad wiring?

Please call 01424 451100 to get further advice.

Question 32: How can I find out more about low cost home ownership/HomeBuy?

There are a range of government schemes to help low-income households get a foot on the property ladder. In Hastings, these affordable housing schemes are provided by Moat. Moat's HomeBuy scheme is designed to help people, usually first time buyers, who cannot afford to buy a property that suits their household needs on the open market.