Qualifying
Offers
The Qualifying Offer scheme gives
homeless families more choice about where they live. It allows you
to choose a property rather than be given a property.
Why is this better for
me?
What if I am already in
temporary accommodation?
If I take a Qualifying Offer,
what happens to my homeless application?
How do I find out more about or join
the Qualifying Offer Scheme?
Who do I contact if I am eligible
for a Qualifying Offer but I am not staying in Temporary
Accommodation?
Why is this better for
me?
If the Council has accepted a duty to provide housing for you under
the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, we will find and offer you
accommodation that is suitable for your needs. Under the usual
allocation scheme you will not be given options or choice of
location as we are limited in what we can provide. However, under
the qualifying offer scheme you have more choice as there are many
more landlords able to offer properties to you.
It can mean less time spent in bed and breakfast
accommodation as you can actively participate in finding a suitable
property rather than wait for the Council to allocate you temporary
accommodation.
The property will be let as an assured shorthold tenancy for a
fixed term, which in principle is renewable.
You will still be given the Priority Home Seeker status on the
Choice Based Lettings scheme. So taking a qualifying offer will not
affect your bidding for permanent accommodation. Nor will it affect
the time you will have to wait as this is determined by how long
you have been registered on the Choice Based Lettings scheme.
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What if I am
already in temporary accommodation?
You can still request to join the scheme. Where the Council needs
to return the property to the owner but you are settled and wish to
stay, we can negotiate with the owner to allow you to remain.
If it is not possible for you to stay in your current
accommodation then we can assist you to find another private sector
property that is suitable for your needs and in an area you
want.
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If I take a Qualifying Offer,
what will happen to my homeless application?
If you accept a qualifying offer, the Council will no longer have a
duty to provide housing for you under the Housing Act 1996 Part
VII.
However, you will still keep the Priority Home Seeker status
that you were granted on the Choice Based Lettings scheme to bid
for permanent accommodation.
You will have the right to re-approach the Housing Option Centre
for assistance if your tenancy ends through no fault of your
own.
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How do I
find out more about or join the Qualifying Offer
Scheme?
If you are interested in the Qualifying Offer Scheme, firstly find
out more by reading our Qualifying Offer Scheme information
booklet.
You can contact our
Initiatives Team based at the
Housing Options Centre.
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Who do I contact if I am
eligible for a Qualifying Offer but I am not staying in Temporary
Accommodation?
You can contact our
Initiatives Team based at the
Housing Options Centre.
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