Cube and GHA Renting a home

Want a new home with us? Here’s what you need to know – and what you have to do

Better homes, better lives

We can produce information on request in large print, Braille, tape and on disk. It is also available in other languages. If you need information in any of these formats please contact us on Freephone 0800 479 7979.

0800 479 7979 Si vous nous le demandez, nous pouvons vous remettre ces informations en d’autres langues, en braille ou sur cassette. Si vous souhaitez que ces informations vous soient fournies sous l’un de ces formats, contactez-nous en composant le 0800 479 7979.

Renting a home

Cube and GHA are both social landlords and part of Wheatley Group, Scotland’s leading housing group. We work together to provide a range of services in our local communities. The way we let our homes is designed to: give you a say in where you live and the type of home you live in

Na Pana/Pani życzenie możemy zapewnić te informacje w innych językach, alfabetem Braille’a lub na kasecie. Jeśli chciał(a)by Pan(i) uzyskać te informacje w którejś z tych form, prosimy skontaktować się z nami pod numerem telefonu 0800 479 7979. Haddii aad na weydiisato waxaanu warbixintan kugu siin karaa iyadoo ku qoran luuqad kale, farta ay dadka indhaha la’ akhriyaan ama cajalad ku duuban. Haddii aad jeclaan lahayd in warbxintan lagugu siiyo mid ka mid ah qaababkaas, fadlan nagala soo xidhiidh telefoonka 0800 479 7979. По вашей просьбе данная информация может быть предоставлена на других языках, шрифтом Брайля или в аудиозаписи. Если вам требуется информация в одном из этих форматов, позвоните нам по номеру 0800 479 7979.

give you as much advice and support as we can while you are looking for a home be fair to everyone who is in need of social housing be open, transparent and easy to use. If you want to know more just get in touch, we’re here to help.

Visit our websites: cubehousing.co.uk | www.gha.org.uk Send us an email: [email protected] | [email protected] Call us free from a landline on: 0800 479 7979 If phoning from a mobile it may be cheaper to call: 0141 274 7979 Renting a home

Page 1

Our four simple steps to renting a home with Cube or GHA

1

Register with us go to (page 5) Fill in our application form (available on our websites or a local housing office). Once you have registered you’ll be given a Registration Number, Applicant Group and PIN. You need these details to note an interest in a property.

2

Looking for a home go to (page 9) Available homes are posted on our website each week. If you want to note an interest you will need your Registration Number and PIN. Search by visiting https://home-finder.org.uk

3

Note an interest go to(page 12) You need to note an interest before the weekly deadline of 8pm on a Monday. You can note an interest in up to two properties a week for each landlord.

4

Your offer go to (page 14) If your application has been successful we will contact you as soon as possible after the closing date. If your application has not been successful you can continue to note an interest in other properties each week.

Page 2

How do we let homes?

The way we let homes at Cube and GHA gives you a more active role in choosing where you live and the type of house you live in.

Every week we advertise our available homes on Home Finder at https://home-finder.org.uk. If you do not have access to the internet you can call into one of our local offices or our shop at at 173 Trongate. We can also post out a weekly Home Finder listing which has full details of all the available homes. This is available on request. To be considered for one of the homes, you will have to note an interest in the property. You can do this in a number of ways and this is explained on page 12 of this booklet. Home Finder currently advertises homes available from two participating social landlords – Cube and GHA. You only have to register once – either through Cube or GHA. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to look at all the adverts of homes which are available from the participating social landlords and note an interest in any which match your needs. Home Finder will also have homes available through other partners such as Lowther Homes which offers properties for mid-market rent. This means you’ll see a bigger variety of homes which you may be interested in. Renting a home

Page 3

Our four simple steps to renting a home with Cube or GHA

1

Register with us (page 5) Fill in our application form (available on our websites or a local housing office). Once you have registered you’ll be given a Registration Number, Applicant Group and PIN. You need these details to note an interest in a property.

2

Looking for a home (page 9) Available homes are posted on our website each week. If you want to note an interest you will need your Registration Number and PIN. Search by visiting https://home-finder.org.uk

3

Note an interest (page 12) You need to note an interest before the weekly deadline of 8pm on a Monday. You can note an interest in up to two properties a week for each landlord.

4

Your offer (page 14) If your application has been successful we will contact you as soon as possible after the closing date. If your application has not been successful you can continue to note an interest in other properties each week.

Page 2

How do we let homes?

The way we let homes at Cube and GHA gives you a more active role in choosing where you live and the type of house you live in.

Every week we advertise our available homes on Home Finder at https://home-finder.org.uk. If you do not have access to the internet you can call into one of our local offices or our shop at at 173 Trongate. We can also post out a weekly Home Finder listing which has full details of all the available homes. This is available on request. To be considered for one of the homes, you will have to note an interest in the property. You can do this in a number of ways and this is explained on page 12 of this booklet. Home Finder currently advertises homes available from two participating social landlords – Cube and GHA. You only have to register once – either through Cube or GHA. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to look at all the adverts of homes which are available from the participating social landlords and note an interest in any which match your needs. Home Finder will also have homes available through other partners such as Lowther Homes which offers properties for mid-market rent. This means you’ll see a bigger variety of homes which you may be interested in. Renting a home

Page 3

Step 1

1

Register with us Anyone aged 16 or over can apply for housing. Before you can note an interest in a property, you must first register with one of the participating landlords if you have not already done so. You can get a registration form by:

Register with us

X X visiting one of our local housing offices or visiting our shop at 173 Trongate

X X going online to one of our websites:

2 3 4 Page 4

www.cubehousing.co.uk or www.gha.org.uk

X X giving us a call on Freephone 0800 479 7979.

Looking for a home

Once you have registered, you will then receive a letter containing your Applicant Group, Personal Registration Number and PIN. Please keep these details safe as you will need them when you note an interest in a property.

Note an interest Here’s a handy box where you can note down your details and keep them safe. My Registration Number

Your offer

My Applicant Group My PIN

Renting a home

Page 5

Step 1

1

Register with us Anyone aged 16 or over can apply for housing. Before you can note an interest in a property, you must first register with one of the participating landlords if you have not already done so. You can get a registration form by:

Register with us

X X visiting one of our local housing offices or visiting our shop at 173 Trongate

X X going online to one of our websites:

2 3 4 Page 4

www.cubehousing.co.uk or www.gha.org.uk

X X giving us a call on Freephone 0800 479 7979. If calling from a mobile 0141 274 7979 may be cheaper

Looking for a home Once you have registered, you will then receive a letter containing your Applicant Group, Personal Registration Number and PIN. Please keep these details safe as you will need them when you note an interest in a property.

Note an interest Here’s a handy box where you can note down your details and My Registration keep them safe. Number

Your offer

My Applicant Group My PIN

Renting a home

Page 5

Register with us (continued)

Register with us (continued)

Your Applicant Group is decided based on your circumstances and reflects your housing need.

Applicant Groups

If you don’t agree with the group you are given, you can contact us and we will look at your case.

Group 1

Applicants with no housing need priority will be placed in this group.

You can read more detail about our Applicant Groups in our Allocations Policy which is available on our websites, or contact us and we can send one out to you.

Group 2

This includes applicants referred by their local authority and applicants with multiple needs who need to be re-housed urgently.

Our Applicant Groups are shown opposite.

Group 3

This includes applicants in housing need such as non-mobilty medical need, overcrowding, or living in accommodation below the tolerable standard.

Group 4

For applicants who have a need to live in an area e.g. through carer support, education or employment needs.

Group 5 Mobility

For applicants who have a medical priority for mobility reasons.

Group 6 Underoccupation

For Cube or GHA tenants who are currently under occupying a: a) 3 bedroom property (or larger) and wish to move to a smaller home or b) 2 bedroom property, are affected by the UK Government’s ‘Bedroom Tax’, and as a result, wish to move to a smaller home.

Group 7 Sheltered Housing Page 6

Renting a home

For applicants aged 60 or over who have been assessed as requiring sheltered or very sheltered accommodation. Page 7

Register with us (continued)

Register with us (continued)

Your Applicant Group is decided based on your circumstances and reflects your housing need.

Applicant Groups

If you don’t agree with the group you are given, you can contact us and we will look at your case.

Group 1

Applicants with no housing need priority will be placed in this group.

You can read more detail about our Applicant Groups in our Allocations Policy which is available on our websites, or contact us and we can send one out to you.

Group 2

This includes applicants referred by their local authority and applicants with multiple needs who need to be re-housed urgently.

Our Applicant Groups are shown opposite.

Group 3

This includes applicants in housing need such as non-mobilty medical need, overcrowding, or living in accommodation below the tolerable standard.

Group 4

For applicants who have a need to live in an area e.g. through carer support, education or employment needs.

Group 5 Mobility

For applicants who have a medical priority for mobility reasons.

Group 6 Underoccupation

For Cube or GHA tenants who are currently under occupying a: a) 3 bedroom property (or larger) and wish to move to a smaller home or b) 2 bedroom property, are affected by the UK Government’s ‘Bedroom Tax’, and as a result, wish to move to a smaller home.

Group 7 Sheltered Housing Page 6

Renting a home

For applicants aged 60 or over who have been assessed as requiring sheltered or very sheltered accommodation. Page 7

Step 2

1

Looking for a home As soon as you receive your Registration Number and PIN you can start looking for a home and note an interest in your preferred properties. We advertise properties:

Register with us

X X on Home Finder at https://home-finder.org.uk X X at your local housing office X X at our shop at 173 Trongate in the city centre

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X X in our weekly Home Finder listing which can be posted to you on request.

Looking for a home

Note an interest

The homes available to rent are advertised on a Tuesday and you can note an interest in any of them right up until the following Monday at 8pm. You can note an interest in up to two properties a week for each landlord.

Homes advertised for every Applicant Group Each property advertised will be targeted towards a particular Applicant Group. Properties will be advertised showing clearly which group they are targeted at.

Your offer

You are more likely to be offered a property that matches your Applicant Group. However if no one from that Applicant Group notes an interest in the home, we will open it up to other Applicant Groups.

Renting a home

Page 9

Step 2

1

Looking for a home As soon as you receive your Registration Number and PIN you can start looking for a home and note an interest in your preferred properties. We advertise properties:

Register with us

X X on Home Finder at https://home-finder.org.uk X X at your local housing office X X at our shop at 173 Trongate in the city centre

2 3 4 Page 8

X X in our weekly Home Finder listing which can be posted to you on request.

Looking for a home

Note an interest

The homes available to rent are advertised on a Tuesday and you can note an interest in any of them right up until the following Monday at 8pm. You can note an interest in up to two properties a week for each landlord.

Homes advertised for every Applicant Group Each property advertised will be targeted towards a particular Applicant Group. Properties will be advertised showing clearly which group they are targeted at.

Your offer

You are more likely to be offered a property that matches your Applicant Group. However if no one from that Applicant Group notes an interest in the home, we will open it up to other Applicant Groups.

Renting a home

Page 9

Finding a home that’s the right size It’s also important that you look for a home suitable for the size of your household. The property advertisement will tell you the number of bedrooms each property has. Our guide below gives a general indication of the number of bedrooms different households need and the size of property they can apply for. If you try to note an interest in a property which is considered to have too many rooms for your needs, you will not be allowed to proceed with noting an interest. If you want to talk about this aspect of your application, please contact us. Household description

Size of property / Number of bedrooms

Single person / couple

Bedsit, 1 or 2 bedroom

Couple / single parent with one 2 bedroom child or two children under 10 Family with up to 4 children under 10

3 bedroom

Family with 4 children

3 or 4 bedroom

Family with 4 adult children

4 or more bedrooms

Please also note that if you are on housing benefit and your home is considered to have more bedrooms that you need under the UK Government's guidelines, you will be required to pay a proportion of the rent yourself.

Page 10

Step 3

1 2 3 4 Renting a home

Register with us

Looking for a home

Note an interest

Your offer

Page 11

Finding a home that’s the right size It’s also important that you look for a home suitable for the size of your household. The property advertisement will tell you the number of bedrooms each property has. Our guide below gives a general indication of the number of bedrooms different households need and the size of property they can apply for. If you try to note an interest in a property which is considered to have too many rooms for your needs, you will not be allowed to proceed with noting an interest. If you want to talk about this aspect of your application, please contact us. Household description

Size of property / Number of bedrooms

Single person / couple

Bedsit, 1 or 2 bedroom

Couple / single parent with one 2 bedroom child or two children under 10 Family with up to 4 children under 10

3 bedroom

Family with 4 children

3 or 4 bedroom

Family with 4 adult children

4 or more bedrooms

Page 10

Step 3

1 2 3 4 Renting a home

Register with us

Looking for a home

Note an interest

Your offer

Page 11

Note an interest You can note an interest in up to two properties in any week per landlord. Before you begin, please have your Registration Number and PIN ready. You can note an interest by: Online

By visiting https://home-finder.org.uk from Tuesday morning until the following Monday at 8pm.

Phone

Call us free from a landline on 0800 479 7979. It’s cheaper to call 0141 274 7979 if phoning from a mobile. You can talk to an advisor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Local office

You can also visit your local housing office during normal office opening hours.

Shop

You can drop into our shop at 173 Trongate during normal opening hours, Monday to Friday.

Speak to your housing officer

If you’re a Cube or GHA tenant, remember your housing officer can help you with all your enquiries – including helping you note an interest in a home.

You can change or cancel a note of interest any time up to 8pm on a Monday, using any of the methods detailed above.

Page 12

Step 4

1 2 3 4 Renting a home

Register with us

Looking for a home

Note an interest

Your offer

Page 13

Note an interest You can note an interest in up to two properties in any week per landlord. Before you begin, please have your Registration Number and PIN ready. You can note an interest by: Online

By visiting https://home-finder.org.uk from Tuesday morning until the following Monday at 8pm.

Phone

Call us free from a landline on 0800 479 7979. It’s cheaper to call 0141 274 7979 if phoning from a mobile. You can talk to an advisor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Local office

You can also visit your local housing office during normal office opening hours.

Shop

You can drop into our shop at 173 Trongate during normal opening hours, Monday to Friday.

Speak to your housing officer

If you’re a Cube or GHA tenant, remember your housing officer can help you with all your enquiries – including helping you note an interest in a home.

You can change or cancel a note of interest any time up to 8pm on a Monday, using any of the methods detailed above.

Page 12

Step 4

1 2 3 4 Renting a home

Register with us

Looking for a home

Note an interest

Your offer

Page 13

Your offer

Offering a home

Notes of interest are not considered on a “first come, first served” basis. We will consider all notes of interest as long as they have been placed before the deadline at 8pm on a Monday.

If we are able to offer you the property of your choice we will contact you as soon as possible after the advert closes. We will then arrange a suitable date and time for you to view the property.

Remember you are more likely to be offered a property that matches your Applicant Group and is suited to the size of your household.

If you want, we can notify you by email or text message if you are unsuccessful. You can request this service via the contact methods already noted in this booklet.

What if several people note an interest?

If you’re waiting to hear about properties you’ve already noted an interest in, you can still continue to note an interest in new properties each week.

If a number of people from the right applicant group note an interest in a property, then the home will be offered to the person who has been waiting longest in that Applicant Group.

We will publish our allocation results at: https://home-finder.org.uk

If no-one from the right Applicant Group notes an interest, then it will be offered to whoever notes interest and who has been waiting the longest. If you applied for a home under our old system of letting homes and are moving to the new system, we’ll count the total time you’ve been waiting for a home.

The results will confirm which properties have been let and to which Applicant Groups – these won’t include any personal details.

If you are unsuccessful in getting a property, we can provide feedback and help you review your choices of property. You can also review this yourself online at https://home-finder.org.uk

Page 14

Renting a home

Page 15

Your offer

Offering a home

Notes of interest are not considered on a “first come, first served” basis. We will consider all notes of interest as long as they have been placed before the deadline at 8pm on a Monday.

If we are able to offer you the property of your choice we will contact you as soon as possible after the advert closes. We will then arrange a suitable date and time for you to view the property.

Remember you are more likely to be offered a property that matches your Applicant Group and is suited to the size of your household.

If you want, we can notify you by email or text message if you are unsuccessful. You can request this service via the contact methods already noted in this booklet.

What if several people note an interest?

If you’re waiting to hear about properties you’ve already noted an interest in, you can still continue to note an interest in new properties each week.

If a number of people from the right applicant group note an interest in a property, then the home will be offered to the person who has been waiting longest in that Applicant Group.

We will publish our allocation results at: https://home-finder.org.uk

If no-one from the right Applicant Group notes an interest, then it will be offered to whoever notes interest and who has been waiting the longest. If you applied for a home under our old system of letting homes and are moving to the new system, we’ll count the total time you’ve been waiting for a home.

The results will confirm which properties have been let and to which Applicant Groups – these won’t include any personal details.

If you are unsuccessful in getting a property, we can provide feedback and help you review your choices of property. You can also review this yourself online at https://home-finder.org.uk

Page 14

Renting a home

Page 15

Changes in your circumstances Any changes in your circumstances might affect your registration or the size of property we will consider you for. Please tell us as soon as possible about:

X X a change to your address X X a new contact phone number X X a new addition to your household X X anyone leaving your household.

Becoming a tenant If you become a GHA or Cube tenant, you will be required to pay four weeks' rent in advance. If you are entitled to Housing Benefit, this will be taken into account. Your home will be at risk if you do not keep up with your rent payments.

Need more help? If you need more advice about finding a new home, becoming a Cube or GHA tenant or if you have any comments or complaints just get in touch. We’re here to help.

Visit our websites: cubehousing.co.uk | www.gha.org.uk Send us an email: [email protected] | [email protected] Call us free from a landline on: 0800 479 7979 If phoning from a mobile it may be cheaper to call: 0141 274 7979

Page 16

Page 17

We can produce information on request in large print, Braille, tape and on disk. It is also available in other languages. If you need information in any of these formats please contact us on Freephone 0800 479 7979.

0800 479 7979 Si vous nous le demandez, nous pouvons vous remettre ces informations en d’autres langues, en braille ou sur cassette. Si vous souhaitez que ces informations vous soient fournies sous l’un de ces formats, contactez-nous en composant le 0800 479 7979.

Renting a home

Cube and GHA are both social landlords and part of Wheatley Group, Scotland’s leading housing group. We work together to provide a range of services in our local communities. The way we let our homes is designed to: give you a say in where you live and the type of home you live in

Na Pana/Pani życzenie możemy zapewnić te informacje w innych językach, alfabetem Braille’a lub na kasecie. Jeśli chciał(a)by Pan(i) uzyskać te informacje w którejś z tych form, prosimy skontaktować się z nami pod numerem telefonu 0800 479 7979. Haddii aad na weydiisato waxaanu warbixintan kugu siin karaa iyadoo ku qoran luuqad kale, farta ay dadka indhaha la’ akhriyaan ama cajalad ku duuban. Haddii aad jeclaan lahayd in warbxintan lagugu siiyo mid ka mid ah qaababkaas, fadlan nagala soo xidhiidh telefoonka 0800 479 7979. По вашей просьбе данная информация может быть предоставлена на других языках, шрифтом Брайля или в аудиозаписи. Если вам требуется информация в одном из этих форматов, позвоните нам по номеру 0800 479 7979.

give you as much advice and support as we can while you are looking for a home be fair to everyone who is in need of social housing be open, transparent and easy to use. If you want to know more just get in touch, we’re here to help.

Visit our websites: cubehousing.co.uk | www.gha.org.uk Send us an email: [email protected] | [email protected] Call us free from a landline on: 0800 479 7979 If phoning from a mobile it may be cheaper to call: 0141 274 7979 Renting a home

Page 1

Cube Housing Association Limited (Cube) and Glasgow Housing Association Limited (GHA) are not-for-profit housing associations registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965, Cube registered no. 2327R(S), GHA 2572R(S). They are also recognised by HM Revenue and Customs as Scottish charities, Cube (SCO33021), GHA (SCO34054), and are registered with The Scottish Housing Regulator under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 as registered social landlords, no. 317. VAT registration no. 135531726. Registered offices: Cube 70 Glenfinnan Road, Glasgow G20 8JX, GHA Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow G1 1HL.

WHALLOC/AUG13

Would you like more information? Freephone: 0800 479 7979 Email: [email protected] | [email protected] Visit: www.gha.org.uk | www.cubehousing.co.uk