Moving Home
As Cirencester Housing Society is quite small finding a property or transferring to another home is very difficult. We do keep our own list for internal transfers but these are very limited as many of our residents have remained in their homes for many years. To extend your choice there are different options which may assist you; HomeSwapper and HomeSeeker, or if you are considering buying a property, South West Homes has a number of schemes to help first-time buyers.
HomeSwapper
Cirencester Housing Society has joined the national HomeSwapper scheme www.homeswapper.co.uk.
This website allows residents to search for houses to exhange with anywhere in the country, including Cirencester and the local area. All you need to do is visit the website at the address above and you can register your details and search for properties. As the Society is a member of HomeSwapper, this service is free to all our residents.
If you do not have access to a computer, we have one in our reception which is available for use by any of our residents. If you need any help in using this, or an explanation of how to use the system please contact your Housing Officer.
If you do not use a computer, but would still be interested in looking for an exchange, your Housing Officer can search the system for you on a regular basis, and even enter your details for you. Just let us know where you live and what you are looking for and we will do the rest!
Remember, you must get our and the other landlords permission before you carry out an exchange otherwise we may ask you to move back. If you find an exchange make sure you check out the area in detail, ask why the residents want to move, and if possible visit the property at different times of the day and evening. Do not be pressurised into an exchange and do not accept any financial incentives. This is illegal and can cause numerous problems.
Homeseeker
Gloucester Homeseeker is the Choice Based Lettings system where we advertise any of our properties which are available to
Homeseeker is managed by Cotswold District Councils Advisory Services department. If you wish to register you can do this online. If you do not have access to a computer, you should contact the Advice Centre on 0845 058 2099. They will explain how the system works. Once you have had your application approved and have received your banding, you can start ’bidding’ for properties. Properties are advertised every week, and there is also a printed newsletter which you can view. The system is easy to use once you understand the process.
As with HomeSwapper, we have a computer available for your use in our reception and we can show you how to use it, how to check for details of any properties which are advertised and how to make a bid.
If you do not use a computer, and cannot access Cotswold District Council’s offices, please let your Housing Officer know, and we can arrange to visit you at home.
Lettable Standard
When the Society has an empty property we ensure that it is ready for occupation and have introduced the ‘Lettable Standard’. When they are ready for letting, as many of our properties as possible are checked by our Resident Monitors to ensure that they reach the Lettable Standard.
The Lettable Standard is our minimum standard of repair when we let a property. Some examples are included below - please contact the office if you would like a full list:-
Kitchens:
A suitable sink unit with splash-back tiles will be provided; also adequate base units with work-tops and wall tiles. All units and worktops will be in good working order. The Society will install a gas or electric cooker at no cost to the resident.
Doors:
External doors front and back will have a lock change and 3 keys for each lock will be provided. Internal doors and frames will be free from damage and will open and close easily.
Decoration:
If the property is in a poor decorative condition when it is let, a decoration allowance may be provided.
Ceilings:
All polystyrene ceiling tiles will be removed and major cracks will be made good.
Walls:
All walls will be visually checked for damp and any damp proofing work will be completed before the property is let.
Floors:
All timber floors will be in a good, secure state of repair. Vinyl floor tiles will be repaired or replaced.
Internal Woodwork:
All internal woodwork will be in good condition and free from damage or decay.
Bathroom and W.C.:
The Society will replace the toilet seat and ensure that all bathroom fittings and sanitary ware is clean and in good working order.
Heating and Services:
The heating system will be fully tested at the start of the tenancy. Should the resident wish to be shown how the controls work, an appointment will be made with the heating engineer. The gas boiler will be serviced every year.
Cleaning:
The property will be cleaned throughout prior to letting.
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