Applying to Rent in Bridgend & Rhondda Cynon Taff

This section gives advice and information on applying for housing in the Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff areas. You may find it useful to read the information here before completing the form. When completing the form please ensure that you complete all sections of the form to avoid delays in us processing the application.

Everyone aged 16 or over can apply for housing with us. This includes people who are already tenants of a Council or another Housing Association who wish to move. However, as you would expect, demand for our properties is very high and re-housing can sometimes be a lengthy process.

Nomination Agreements with Local Authorities

We have nomination agreements with all local Authorities in the areas in which we work. This means that at least 50% of all our properties are offered to people who are on the housing register of their local authority. Even if you do not wish to be considered for local authority housing you should register to maximise your chances of being nominated.

If you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness you should contact your local authority in the first instance. They will assess your circumstances and they have a statutory duty to provide emergency accommodation if necessary. The Local Authorities which we work with are below.

www.bridgend.gov.uk
www.cardiff.gov.uk/c2c
www.merthyr.gov.uk
www.newport.gov.uk
www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk
www.torfaen.gov.uk
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

To apply for one of our homes

It may take a few weeks for us to contact you with a decision.

Please click here to fill in the Housing Application Form

We may refuse to accept an application based on the information given. Any information provided will always be kept confidential and used fairly within our Equal Opportunities Policy.

We welcome applicants regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexuality, marital status or social class.

We recognise and understand that some applicants may require extra assistance when applying for housing and we can access a range of support services to assist people in this situation. If you would like to communicate with us in another language, or by way of Braille, language tapes, Type Talk or by using larger text please let us know and we will do all we can to help.

Anyone who is found to have put false information on their application form will not be considered for one of our homes. In the event of a property being obtained by misrepresentation or falsehood we will take legal action to repossess the property.

Assessing Applications

Once we have received your completed application form we will process it in accordance with our Allocation Policy. This can take up to 28 days. You will be notified in writing as to whether you have been accepted or refused entry on to the waiting list and how many points you have been awarded.

If your application for housing is refused we will let you know our reasons for refusal.

When we are assessing your application form we use a points system to make sure our homes are allocated fairly and to those who are in greatest need of assistance. We award points on the basis of the information which you have supplied on your housing application form.

In order to make best use of our properties you will only be considered for certain sizes and types of properties depending on your household.

Single person

Self contained studio flat (bedsit)
1 bedroom flat
1 bedroom house

Couple without children

1 bedroom flat or house
2 bedroom flat or maisonette above ground floor
2 bedroom house (only applicants with access or medical needs will be considered)

1 or 2 adults with 1 child (or expecting 1 child)

2 bedroom flat
2 bedroom maisonette
2 bedroom house

1 or 2 adults with (or expecting) more than 1 child depending upon bedrooms required

2 bedroom flat, maisonette or house
3 bedroom flat or house
4 bedroom house

Bungalows

Single persons, couples and families will all be considered depending on the size of the bungalow. At least one member of the household will have to demonstrate a requirement for this type of property.

Sheltered Accommodation

Tenancies in warden-supported accommodation for the elderly will normally be offered to applicants who are aged 55 or over

NOTE: Flats or maisonettes located above the ground floor will not normally be allocated to families with children under 5.

Waiting Times

Although we can tell you how many points you have been awarded we cannot tell you how long you may have to wait for a property or whereabouts you are on the waiting list. This is because our waiting list changes daily as new applications are received and it also dependent on when properties become available for re-let.

Change of Circumstances

If your circumstances change whilst you are waiting for a property you should contact us as soon as possible. You may need to complete a new application form, particularly if you have changed address. A change in circumstances may change the number of points you have been awarded and possibly your position on the waiting list.

Waiting List Reviews

We regularly review our waiting list to ensure that they are kept up to date. We will send a Review Form which you must complete and return to us within a set timescale. If you don't return the Review Form your name will be removed from our waiting list.

Home Visits

We visit all applicants before making an offer of accommodation to ensure that the points which you have been awarded accurately reflect your current circumstances. You will not normally be visited unless you are being considered for a property.

We use a points system to determine how each property is allocated. In most cases tenancies will be allocated in points order, however the following general conditions also apply;

For any vacancy, offers will only be made to applicants accepted on to the waiting list for that particular sized property and who are known to be interested in the locality of where the property is situated
We will refuse to offer a property in a particular location to an individual where it is believed that the tenancy could not be sustained and/or where there may be a damaging effect on the wellbeing of that locality. In such cases reasons will be recorded
Consideration will be given to existing tenants to transfer to alternative consideration
We will give consideration to applicants with special support needs who wish to be re-housed in the community

We consider the allocation of our homes as a key area of our work and we always try to allocate properties in accordance with your preferences in terms of property style, type and location. When making the decision on whom to offer a property to we consider both the needs of the individual as well as the possible impact on the community in which the property is located.

Making an Offer

When a property becomes available we will send you a written offer of accommodation and also telephone you if we have a contact number for you. The offer letter will tell you about the property and the amount of rent payable. You must return the Offer of Accommodation Form within a set timescale in order to provisionally accept the offer. You will then have an opportunity to view the property before making a final decision.

What if I refuse the offer of a property?

We try to ensure that only appropriate offers of accommodation are made. We allow 2 reasonable offers. If 2 offers of accommodation are refused your name may be removed from our waiting list, depending on the reasons you gave when refusing each of the properties.

What type of tenancy will I be offered?

All new tenants (but not existing Council or Housing Association tenants) are offered an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). This is a tenancy which lasts for 12 months and then automatically converts to an Assured Tenancy unless the terms of the AST are breached. People who are already tenants of a Council or Housing association at the time they are offered one of our properties are automatically offered an Assured Tenancy.