Want To Move? This section tells you about: • • • •
Applying for a transfer. The Common Waiting List. Applying for a Mutual Exchange. What if I need an adapted property?
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Applying For A Transfer If your circumstances change you can request to transfer to another housing association or Cardiff Council property. Transfer priority will be given to those who are in the greatest need for alternative accommodation.
How do I apply for a Transfer? From the 1st January 2009, Taff became a member of the Common Waiting List for Cardiff. This means that anyone who applies for housing anywhere in the city, including those who are already tenants of social landlords and wish to transfer, will only have to complete one application form, and will be registered on one waiting list which will be managed centrally by Cardiff County Council.
What Is The Common Waiting List? • A single application and assessment process for everyone applying for social housing in Cardiff. • One waiting list for everyone waiting for accommodation in Cardiff. • All housing associations and Cardiff County Council will allocate from the same list and use the same criteria. • The Council will manage the list on behalf of all the associations. • All housing associations will allocate properties according to the same Allocation Policy, so this will make the whole process easier to understand.
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What will it mean for me? • Once you have completed the application form, the association will be notified that you have applied for a housing transfer and asked for a tenancy reference. Providing all is well, and there are no breaches of tenancy, you will be added to the waiting list. You may be considered for a housing transfer if any of the following apply: • Your current home is over crowded. • Your current home is under occupied. • Where there are health or social problems that can be helped by moving to alternative accommodation. • You need to live in a particular area, for support or care from relatives, or you need to be near specialist services such as a hospital. • You or a member of your household is being harassed and you would benefit from moving. You will not be able to transfer if: • • • •
You have rent arrears. You have a court order against you. You have an Assured Shorthold tenancy. Your property has not been well maintained.
If you would like more information on waiting times and availability, please log on to www.cardiffhousing.co.uk
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Swapping Homes With Someone Else – Mutual Exchange If you swap your home and tenancy with someone else, this is called an exchange. You are responsible for finding someone to exchange with. If you are already a Taff tenant, or a tenant of any council or housing association, you can apply to swap your home with another tenant, as long as their landlord is also a council or housing association. Taff also operates an ‘exchange board’ in the reception area of our office, where you can advertise your home and also look at other properties that you think may be more suitable to your needs. Remember, if you exchange you agree to take on the property in the condition which you see it in. The Association is not responsible for any re-decoration or damage caused by the previous tenant or their family. To apply for a Mutual Exchange, please contact your Housing Officer on 029 2025 9110 or call in to our Reception.
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Homeswapper Taff Housing Association has now signed up to the Home Swapper service. This is a mutual exchange service that enables tenants to update their own details on-line and search for a potential swap. The scheme is available to help people find a home in the area they already live in, as well as other parts of the country. If you wish to register on Home Swapper, you should log on to www.homeswapper.co.uk and your property will be added to all relevant lists. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact our Receptionist at Taff who will be able to assist you. Please note this service is completely free to all Taff tenants.
Are there any reasons why I may not be allowed to exchange? Taff Housing Association will agree to a request for an exchange unless: • Any type of legal proceedings have been commenced against you. • Your home is too large or too small for the person you wish to exchange with. • Your home has been specially adapted or designed to suit a person with disabilities and the person you wish to exchange with does not have a need for such adaptations. • Your home is designated as older person accommodation and the person you wish to exchange with is not elderly. • You are in arrears or owe any other debt to the Association. • You have an Assured Shorthold tenancy.
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What If I Need An Adapted Property? Some people require properties that have special adaptations. This could be because of age, illness, or disability. The types of adaptations you might need could include: • • • •
A stair lift. A walk in shower. Low level kitchen units. Handrails.
In some circumstances we can apply to the Welsh Government for a grant to install these adaptations in your current home. This is called a Physical Adaptation Grant (PAG). Please see the section on ‘Other Services’ for further information on this option, or contact the Head of Property on 029 2025 9100. If we are unable to adapt your current home, you can apply to the Cardiff Accessible Homes Register in exactly the same way as all other housing applications through the Common Waiting List, but by ticking the box that asks you if you need physical adaptations to your home. The Cardiff Accessible Homes team keeps a list of everyone in Cardiff who needs an adapted home. When someone moves out of an adapted home in Cardiff, the housing organisation that owns that property will notify the Cardiff Accessible Homes team. The Cardiff Accessible Homes team will then ‘nominate’ someone from their list who needs the type of adaptations in that home. For more advice you can contact the Cardiff Accessible Homes team directly on 029 2046 2142.
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