Applying for a home with Bron Afon
Bron Afon manages around 8,000 homes throughout the Torfaen area.
There is a variety of good quality properties which are let to those in need of housing at affordable rents. In many areas, there is a large number of people applying for a home and very few vacancies.
Bron Afon operates a choice-based lettings scheme, known as the Homefinder Scheme.
Available properties are advertised on a fortnightly basis. Individual advertisements will be sent via mail shot to those Homefinders who have requested a copy of the Homefinder Property Brochure. In addition, larger versions of the advert will be displayed in each of the area offices and Customer Care Centres throughout the County Borough. If you would like to be added to the Housing Register you should complete a Registration Form, copies of which are available from any Area Office or the Council's Customer Care Centres.
Guidance Notes are available to help you complete the registration form, copies of which are available from any Area Office or the Council's Customer Care Centres.
Completed forms should be returned to any of our Area Offices, the council's Customer Care Centres or by post to the Homefinder Team, Social Care and Housing Services, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6YB.
On receipt of a registration form, we will issue you with a registration number. Once on the list you can receive (if you wish) a fortnightly advertisement which lists every property available to rent within the County Borough at that time.
You can contact the Homefinder Team on (01495) 762200 or via e-mail: housinghomefinder@torfaen.gov.uk
Registering for a Property
If you wish to apply for any of the properties listed in the fortnightly advertisement, you should complete the Response Coupon and place it in the ballot box at any of our Area Offices or at any of the council's Customer Care Centres or return it by post to the Homefinder Team, Social Care & Housing Services, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6YB. The deadline for receipt of Response Coupons is at 2 pm one week after the advert is made available (unless otherwise stated).
Properties are let in date of registration order, except in cases where a priority card has been used. These properties are clearly indicated on the Homefinder Property Brochure. A priority card is issued for the following reasons:
• Homelessness – you are currently homeless or likely to become homeless within the next twenty eight days. (Homelessness will be determined by the Homelessness Section in accordance with the 1996 Housing act Part VII and the Homelessness Act 2002, and relevant codes of guidance);
• Medical/Disability – your present accommodation severely affects your state of health and your quality of life will be greatly improved by moving to more suitable accommodation. A suitably qualified medical practitioner will assess your application for priority rehousing;
• Disrepair – your present property is facing demolition, a compulsory purchase order or a closing order;
• Overcrowding – your current home is too small for you/your families needs. This will be assessed via Statutory Guidelines as described within the 1985 Housing Act;
• Vulnerable/Welfare – you need to move due to harassment/domestic violence/abuse (written evidence from Police, Social Worker, Probation Officer will be required in support of this) or welfare state;
• Under Occupancy - tenants wishing a smaller property (usually less than 2 bedrooms).
Our Community Housing Officers are responsible for letting the properties. If you have an outstanding debt or have a live Notice of Seeking Possession for Anti-Social Behaviour, Bron Afon Community Housing is not obliged to offer you a property.
Who Can Apply?
Bron Afon Community Housing can allocate housing only to people who are on the Housing Register. This includes making nominations to other social landlords such as Housing Associations.
The Register is open to the following types of applicants (who must also comply with the residency and immigration qualifications):
• Single persons aged over 16 (those applicants aged between 16 and 18 who are successful in gaining a tenancy will be issued with an equitable tenancy or licence to occupy until they reach the age of 18);
• Families (including single parent families) with dependant children;
• Families with elderly and disabled family members who live with them permanently;
• Single persons and couples aged 60 and over (also eligible for Sheltered);
• Couples without children;
• Single disabled persons and couples;
• Separated or divorced persons;
• Homeless persons (who are in priority need, are eligible for assistance, not intentionally homeless and over the age of 18 years);
• Persons threatened with homelessness (who are in priority need, not threatened with homelessness intentionally and eligible for assistance).
Thinking of applying for Sheltered Housing? >> |