Points system for getting a house with Charnwood

HOUSING REGISTER AND POINTS SYSTEM
Who Qualifies and How to Apply

This article IS ONLY A GUIDE as to who qualifies for the Housing Register in Charnwood Borough Council , how applications are assessed and how properties are allocated. This is a summary of the Council’s Allocations policy. A copy of the full policy is available on request to Charnwood.
We're re-producing parts of their guide ONLY as A GUIDE for you so that you might be able to get inside the minds of your council when applying for a home.

You can request a leaflet from your council that details how it allocates its housing points.

The points system is based on your present circumstances. If your requirements change, if you are expecting a child for example, you must contact your council as soon as possible. You will need to fill in a new application form as you may be reassessed.

Take it awayyyyyyyy.......Ch Ch CH Charnwood!!!!!

Who Can Go On To The Housing Register?
The Housing Register is open to everyone over the age of 18 except:
• Certain people from abroad (defined by legislation: please ask for details).
• People who the Council considers to be unsuitable to be a tenant, for example people who have a recent history of serious or persistent arrears or anti-social behaviour.

You may be asked to provide some documents to support your application. The application form will tell you what information you need to provide to support your application. Please make sure that you complete the application form fully and provide all the necessary supporting documents or your application will not be registered.
If you are aged 16 or 17 you will only be eligible for the Housing Register if:
• You have or are expecting a child or
• You have been referred to Charnwood Borough Council by Leicestershire County Council Social Services under the Leaving Care Scheme on the grounds that you need a settled home in Charnwood.
And
• You have lived in the Borough for at least 6 months of the 12 months immediately prior to applying to be included on the Housing Register or
• Your only or main home was in Charnwood for a period of no fewer than 3 years out of the 5 year period prior to applying to be included on the Housing Register.

How Does Charnwood Council Manage the Housing Register?
The Council aims to house those people in greatest need and do this by using a points system. Points are awarded according to your housing circumstances and level of housing need. The way in which points are awarded is explained in the rest of this article.
Properties are allocated to applicants from three different groups, the waiting list, transfer list and Homeless Applicants. (Housing Transfer applicants are either existing Council or Housing Association tenants living within the borough)

HOUSING REGISTER AND POINTS SYSTEM
There are quotas that control how properties are shared between these three groups. Currently the Council are sharing allocations equally.
If a property is being offered to a Waiting List or Transfer List Applicant it will be offered to the person with the most points for the type of property available, Homeless Applicants are offered accommodation in the order they are accepted as homeless.
Sometimes properties are allocated outside the normal points system. This may happen when a property is of a local lettings policy. Local lettings policies try to achieve a balance of household types within a small community, estate, or block of flats. Details of the local lettings policies that the Council has established are available on request.

The Housing Register Points System
The law states that priority must be given to households with certain housing, social, economic and medical difficulties. Points are awarded to reflect these difficulties as follows:
Household Members
For every adult in the household (aged 16 or over) 1 point
For every child in the household (aged 15 and under) 2 points
For every member of the household who is pregnant 1 point

Facilities
For each bedroom that the household is short of the specified standard 2 points
If the applicant is a single person living in a bedsit (for more than 12 months) and wishes to move to a 1 bedroom flat 5 points
If applicant does not have an inside toilet, a water supply, a living room, a bathroom, a kitchen. 3 points per facility.
For every year applicant continues to lack a facility above (up to 5 years) 1 point
If applicant shares with another household an inside toilet and bathroom/a living room/ a kitchen/a water supply 2 points per facility
For every year applicant continues to share facilities above. (up to 5 years) 1 point
If applicant has children under 16 living with them on a permanent, full-time basis and does not have a garden 2 points
If applicant lives in a flat and has a child under 16 living with them on a full-time, permanent basis 5 points
If applicant has a child under 16 living with them on a full-time permanent basis and lives in a 1st floor flat. A further 3 points
If applicant has a child under 16 living with them on a full-time, permanent basis and lives in a flat on the 2nd floor or above. A further 5 points
If applicant has a child under 16 living with them on a full-time, permanent basis, in a 1 bedroom flat. A further 10 points
If applicant has a child under 16 living with them on a full-time, permanent basis, in a bedsit. A further 15 points
If applicant lives in a bedsit/duplex and has contact to child/ren and wishes to move to a one-bedroom flat. 10 points
If applicant has shared residence of children ie for 3 or more nights per week, they are awarded half the total number of points that would be awarded if the children live with them on a full-time permanent basis.

Condition
Statutorily Overcrowded 20 points
Statutorily Unfit 20 points
To award the above points confirmation must be received from an Environmental Health Officer
Poor Repair 1 – 10 points
Poor repair points will not be awarded if Statutorily unfit points have as well
If applicant lives in a touring caravan or a boat. 5 points
Socio-Economic
If applicant has difficulty in reaching their place of employment (Public transport journey of 15 miles or more) 5 points
If applicant does not have sufficient income to meet current housing costs. (if applicants HB is restricted because the actual rent is above the rent officers valuation) 5 points
If applicant’s income is not high enough for them to afford accommodation in the private sector 5 points
If applicant is part of a split household with children and rehousing will allow the family to reside together 5 points
If applicant is a particularly vulnerable person who cannot reasonably find accommodation themselves 5 points
If applicants housing situation is aggravated by minor harassment and this is affecting their wellbeing but there is not a serious or overriding need to move 5 points
Where there is a serious need to move 20 points
These points may be restricted to the duration of one offer only with conditions restricting choice
Where there is an overriding need to move. 40 points
These points may be restricted to the duration of one offer only with conditions restricting choice
Insecure Accommodation
If applicant has no fixed address. 25 points
If applicant has been served a valid Notice to Quit served for reasons outside their control 15 points
If applicant has been served with a Court Order requiring them to leave their home for reasons outside their control 20 points
If applicant is lodging with someone (including parents and relatives) 10 points
If applicant is privately renting and has an Assured Shorthold Tenancy 5 points
If applicant is in tied accommodation 5 points
If applicant is a warden in one of the Council’s sheltered housing schemes and is within 6 months of retirement age 50 points
If applicant occupies a Council property but has no tenancy or right to occupy the property and the Council have agreed to rehouse them 20 points
If an applicant is in a Borough Council approved supported housing scheme, subject to a nomination agreement and their keyworker confirms independent accommodation is now appropriate (none of the further “tenure” points above will be awarded) 30 points

Suitability of home
If applicant/member of household has a medical condition or infirmity which is affected by their current accommodation 1 to 20 points
The above points will only be awarded if an applicant wishes to move to accommodation that will alleviate the problems for which points are awarded. If more than one member of the household qualifies for points above the maximum total award is 20 points
If applicant/member of household qualifies for points in the category above for every year that they remain on the register and qualify for the points (maximum 5 points) 1 point
If applicant’s property is too large for them to manage. (This applies only to elderly or disabled households) 2 points
If applicant’s garden is too large for them to manage. (This applies only to elderly or disabled households) 2 points
If applicant owns their home but lacks financial resources (income, savings, equity)
to maintain their current accommodation or secure alternative accommodation 15 points
If applicant is elderly or disabled, and wishes to move into elderly persons’ accommodation or sheltered accommodation and has support needs 5 points

Time on list points
For every month spent on the housing register (up to a maximum of 12 points) 1 point per month
Additional Points
You will also receive a further 100 points providing you meet the following criteria

People who are over 18 years of age AND meet at least one of the following:
• Their only or main home has been in Charnwood for at least 6
months out of the last 12 months before applying to be included on the Housing Register.
• Their only or main home has been in Charnwood for at least three years out of the last five before applying to be included on the Housing Register.
• They have permanent employment within Charnwood
• They are over 60 with no previous connections with Charnwood, but they are requesting accommodation in “hard to let” accommodation designated for elderly persons and have a need for support.
• They have been referred to the Council by Leicestershire County Council Social Services under the Leaving Care Scheme on the grounds that they need a settled home in Charnwood.
• They live in tied accommodation within Charnwood and where only six months or fewer remains of their contract (including resident wardens of Council-owned sheltered housing schemes)
• The Council has a duty towards them under Section 28 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (this refers to some ‘tied’ tenants of agricultural dwellings).
• They are serving in HM Forces or are detained in HM Prison with six months or fewer remaining before discharge or release and
I. They lived in Charnwood for at least 6 of the 12 months immediately before joining the Forces, or going to prison,
II. They have a close relative (Mother, Father, Child, Brother, Sister or step equivalent) presently living in Charnwood who has done so for at least five years.
• They need to move to Charnwood to give or receive significant support to/from a relative for medical or socioeconomic reasons (proof will be required)
• People aged 16 or 17 who are eligible to join the housing register will be awarded 100 points providing they do not fall into one of the categories below.
Additional Points Will Not Be Awarded Where:
• The applicant or any member of the applicant’s household is the owner of a property available and suitable for occupation. If an applicant or member of their household has a property which is currently unavailable as it is occupied by another party they would be expected to take action (where lawful) to regain possession.
• The applicant or any member of the applicant’s household have sufficient financial means to enable them to secure alternative accommodation.
• The applicant or any member of the applicant’s household has rent arrears, former tenant arrears or housing related debt (such as court costs or rechargeable repairs) with any social landlord and has not been maintaining an agreement for the 4 months prior to their application and these debts are above £300. Priority will be removed if the applicant does not maintain the agreement during the period of their application.
Under very exceptional circumstances 100 points may be awarded to an applicant in this category in order to prevent homelessness.
• The applicant or any member of their household has exhibited abusive, violent and threatening behaviour towards an employee of Charnwood Borough Council, its contractors, agents or social housing partners within the last 12 months. In cases of assault to an employee its contractors, agents or social housing partners, these points will not normally be awarded for 3 years, in cases of abusive or threatening behaviour, the points would not normally be awarded for 18 months.
• The applicant or any member of their household has broken any other condition of their tenancy at the time of application or while on the register.
• A serious allegation of anti-social behaviour has been made about an applicant or a member of their household which has not yet been investigated. This would be re assessed on completion of the investigation.
• The applicant or any member of their household has exhibited unacceptable behaviour which affects their suitability to be a tenant which was not serious enough to justify a decision to treat the applicant as ineligible.

Accepting Your Application
You will receive a letter to inform you that you have been accepted onto the Housing Register, and how many points you have been given. Unfortunately we will not be able to tell you how long you may have to wait before an offer of accommodation is made. This is because:
• Waiting times vary from area to area
• It is not possible to let you know when properties will become empty
• The Housing Register changes daily as new applicants join with different levels of need. However, for areas of particularly high or low demand, it may be possible to give you an estimate of how long you may have to wait. Please enquire with Housing Needs Staff.

How Much Choice Do I Have About where I live ?
You will only be considered for the types of property that are suitable for your household size. These are:

• A single person under 60 A bedsit /or a one bedroom flat
• A single person over 60 or a disabled person who wishes to move into elderly persons’ accommodation or sheltered accommodation and has support needs A bedsit, one bed flat or a one bed bungalow with Central Alarm System or Warden Service
• A single pregnant woman A one or two bedroom flat
• A couple (where neither party is over 60) A one bedroom flat
• A couple where at least one party is over 60 or disabled, and wishes to move into elderly persons’ accommodation or sheltered accommodation and has support needs A one bed flat or a one bed bungalow with CAS Alarm or Warden Service
  
• A couple (including a pregnant woman) A one or two bedroom flat
• Parent(s) with one child* A two or three bedroom flat or house
• Parents(s) with two Children* A three bedroom flat or house or a two bedroom house/flat if applicant so requests
• Parent(s) with three children* A three bedroom flat or house
• Parent(s) with four children* A three or four bedroom flat or house
• Parent(s) with five or more Children* A four bedroom house
• Parent(s) with ‘access’ with child/ren.** A one bedroom flat

* The child(ren) (under 16 years) living with the parent(s) on a full- time permanent basis.
Parents with shared residence of children will normally be considered for a 2/3 bedroom flat.
** In exceptional circumstances, a 2 bedroom flat will be considered for parents with ‘contact’ for children for fewer than 3 nights per week.

Couples who need a separate bedroom for well evidenced medical reasons will be assessed as having an entitlement to a separate bedroom.

Choice About Location of Properties
Homeless Applicants
If you have been accepted as homeless (under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, as amended), you will be made one offer of suitable accommodation when your turn is reached. We will ask you about your preferences for rehousing and will try to meet these preferences. We will always take the following factors into account when deciding if an offer is suitable:
• Your place of work.
• The risk of domestic or other violence.
• The location of your children’s schools.
• Support needs – particularly if you have a disability or serious medical condition.
• The availability of vacancies.
If you refuse a suitable offer of accommodation, the Council will no longer have a duty under the legislation to continue to provide you with temporary accommodation or to offer you rehousing. You may be entitled to remain on the housing register and receive offers in the same way as other housing register applicants.

Other Applicants
If you are not a homeless applicant, you may express as much choice as you wish about where you would like to live. You will receive two reasonable offers of accommodation before your application will be given a reduced preference for a year therefore it is important that you are clear where you would like to live.
Please remember that if you choose a very small number of areas, you may have a much longer wait. Staff in the Housing Needs Section will be able to give you general advice about waiting times in individual areas.

Can I Defer My Application?
No. The Housing Register is for applicants actively seeking rehousing. Your position on the Register is determined by housing need and not how long you have been waiting. You should not apply simply because you may need housing in the future. Once accepted onto the Register, you may receive an offer of accommodation at any time.

Appeals
If you apply to go on the Housing Register but the Council decide that you are not eligible to join, you have the right to appeal against that decision. In the same way, if the Council removes your name from the Housing Register, you may also appeal against that decision. A separate factsheet “Housing Appeals” explains the appeals process and is available from www.charnwood.gov.uk or
Customer Services Centre, Southfields Road, Loughborough.
If you require more information please contact:
Housing Needs Team, Charnwood Borough Council,
Southfields, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2TT
Telephone: HOUSING NEEDS SECTION: (01509) 634567
E-mail: housing@charnwood.gov.uk

How to get Free Football and Films on line.

If you want free soccer / football go to http://ppstream.com/

It's all in Chinese so here we go. In the top right corner of the home page, you will see a download icon with the words "ppstream V2.6.85.7020 正式版(4.87MB)" or something similar.

It's pretty obvious set in yellowy gold and your cursor will change to a hand when you are on it. Look at the lovely red arrow what I did to make it more obvious (though if you can't find it by now...do you deserve to watch free stuff? No, really?). Hit that and it will take you to a second page.

Bottom left this time; white writing in a gold-ish box.
Hit that and the set up goes into English and this gets you the player. about 4 or 5 mb .

Install away, don't bother with the extra options if you don't want to change your default player etc (standard stuff). It will probably tell you that you need a Chinese dictionary for the characters to display, but if you don't understand or don't want to learn it, make sure you stop that warning in its' tracks as you will otherwise keep getting reminded. Easy to do....you'll see the click box in the warning icon.

In the media player, the left part holds all the available channels.

Channel categories go vertically and at the moment of writing, these start with sport (live and usually free football) and is then followed by films and so on.


It may change depending on what there is available so you may find that there is a second sports channel there sometimes.

Have an explore. Much of it is in English anyways.

If you open up a category and you then see a ">" by it that means you can open it further.
The example to the right shows this and if you delved further you'd find WWE first, then more free football in the shape of The UEFA finals from 2008 (all the matches) some other wrestling and so on.

Then it's often stuff that has been listed before but is now grouped up. e.g. all the Rambo films, or all cartoons etc., or all Nicholas Cage films (that must be how they torture them in China).

Usually after that you'll see an eclectic mix of tv series episodes (though far from all of them.....e.g. at the moment there are only two episodes of "House") and some current affairs.

See what you want? click the play button next to the title, suffer a few seconds of advertising of ???I don't know what??? and then it will load up; slowly at first but even if you are out in dial up land you can still get a download...you just need to plan ahead if it's not a live.

How do I get a Council House?

Councils must ensure priority for social housing goes to those in the greatest need. Some councils do this by using a points system. Points are awarded according to the circumstances and level of housing need.

What are points?

The law states that in allocating housing 'reasonable preference' must be given to certain categories of persons. These categories are:

• people who are homeless
• people living in insanitary, overcrowded or unsatisfactory housing
• people who need to move on medical or welfare grounds
• people who need to move to a particular locality in the district of the authority, where failure to meet that need would cause hardship to themselves or to others

In addition, councils may give additional preference to people in the above categories who are considered to have more urgent housing needs. A points system must take these factors into account.

What other factors are taken into account?

Other factors which a points system may take into account could include:

• residency - do you live in the area where you are applying for housing?
• financial circumstances - are you on benefits or in paid employment
• tenancy record - for example, have you a good record or have you accrued rent arrears?
• time on register - you may gain extra points if you have been on the housing register for sometime

You can request a leaflet from your council that details how it allocates its housing points.

As an example, here's how Charnwood Borough Council was allocating points as of Nov 2008

The points system is based on your present circumstances. If your requirements change, if you are expecting a child for example, you must contact your council as soon as possible. You will need to fill in a new application form as you may be reassessed.

You have important rights as a secure council tenant.

You also have important responsibilities.

This is a summary of housing law, and may not cover all circumstances. It should also be considered as a guide and not completely definitive in itself.

We'll give you the overview but after that and if you want to know more or confirm things, your council’s housing department will be able to help you. Your council may have produced its own leaflet or newsletter to let you know what is going on in your area. There are also many government leaflets about council housing. You will find details of some of these, and a list of addresses of organisations that may be able to help you, at the end of this article.

Your council may operate what is known as an Introductory Tenancy Scheme. This scheme would apply to all new tenants and last for twelve months, after which the tenancy would become secure. Your Council can ask the courts to extend your introductory tenancy for a further six months if you behave antisocially.
All introductory tenants must abide by the terms of their tenancy agreement, or risk losing their home without the council having to go to court to prove that the agreement has been breached. As an introductory tenant your rights are very similar to those of a secure tenant. Your council can tell you more.

Your rights as a secure tenant
In general, as long as you keep to the rules of your tenancy agreement, pay your rent and are not involved in anti-social behaviour:

• You can live in your home for the rest of your life as long as you do what your tenancy agreement says.
• You can buy your home at a discount.
• You can pass on your home to someone in your family living with you when you die.
• You can take in lodgers and sub-let part of your home.
• You can get certain urgent repairs done quickly and at no cost to you.
• You can carry out improvements to your home.
• You can be paid for certain improvements you have made if you move home.
• You can help to manage your estate.
• You can exchange your property for another one.
• You must be consulted on housing management matters.
• You must be given information about how your council runs the homes it owns.

Your responsibilities as a secure tenant
• You must keep to the rules in your tenancy agreement.
• You must pay your rent.
• You must be a good neighbour and not annoy other tenants.

Anti-social behaviour is taken very seriously and may result in the loss of your tenancy.

How can I get a council home?
Apply to your council. The council will usually put your name on its waiting list.
You have a right to know how your council decides to let the homes it owns so you can be sure you are treated fairly.
Your council must publish a short version of its rules for deciding who gets council homes. Your council should give you a free copy. The rules also apply to people who already have council homes who want to move to other council homes in the area.
You have the right to look, free of charge, at the full rules for who gets council homes at the housing office, during normal office hours. You also have the right to a copy, but may have to pay for it.

There will be someone at the housing office who can tell you about the rules for getting a home.

How can I get a housing association home?
You may want to apply for a home from a housing association (sometimes known as a Registered Social Landlord) in your area. Housing associations provide similar sorts of homes to those provided by your council. Your council can tell you how to get in touch. If you become a housing association tenant, you will still have most of the rights set out in this article. Your rights are explained in a booklet called A charter for housing association applicants
and residents which is available from the Housing Corporation website: http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk./
Housing associations must publish the rules for their waiting lists.
In some areas the council and the housing associations operate a common housing register so that you can apply for a home from either your council or a housing association.

What are my rights and responsibilities when I get my council home?

Once you are a secure or introductory tenant you have rights and responsibilities. The law sets out some of your rights. Others may be agreed by your council and put in your tenancy agreement. It is important to remember that you have responsibilities as well as rights. For example, you must be a good neighbour and respect other tenants’ right to live in peace and quiet. Your council must publish its tenancy agreement in plain, simple language. This should say what the council has to do and what it expects you to do. It should set out your rights under the law, and the action the council may take against you if you breach your tenancy agreement.
Your council must keep this information up to date.
It must give you your own written tenancy agreement when you agree to take your home, or as soon as possible after you move in.
Ask your council about anything in the tenancy agreement you do not understand. If you think you may have difficulty paying the rent, ask your council to tell you about how to claim housing benefit.

Secure in your home
If you are a secure tenant you will be able to live in your home for the rest of your life if you want to, as long as you do what you agreed to do in your tenancy
agreement. This is known as security of tenure.

If your council needs to rebuild your house or flat or part of your estate, it must offer you another suitable home.

When you die, your husband or wife, or one other person in your family who has been living with you for at least the last year, will usually be able to take over the tenancy agreement from you. This is called the right of succession and this can only happen once.

You may have some spare space in your home. You have the right:
• to take in lodgers;
• to sub-let part of your home.
You must get written permission to sub-let from your council first. You cannot usually sub-let the whole of your home or transfer your tenancy to someone else.
You can get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet Letting
Rooms in Your Home.

Repairs
Your council is responsible for most repairs to your home, but there are some types of repair which are your responsibility. Your tenancy agreement sets out which repairs you have to do and what the council has to do. This section explains what you can expect from the council when you ask them to deal with a repair.
Some repairs are covered by the ‘Right to Repair’.
This means that, by law, the council must carry out certain small, urgent repairs which are likely to affect your health, safety, or security. The council must carry out the repair quickly and at no cost to you. Only certain types of repairs, called qualifying repairs are covered by this law and there are different timescales allowed for different repairs. Your council can give you a full list of these. Some examples are:
(in working days)
• unsafe power or lighting socket or electrical fitting (1 day)
• blocked flue to open fire or boiler (1 day)
• leaking roof (7 days)
• blocked sink, bath or basin. (3 days)
The council must ensure that gas appliances and pipework are tested at least once every 12 months and a record of tests is kept and may be provided to a tenant on request.

If you need a repair to your home, you should first tell the council. You will be told if it is covered by the Right to Repair and when you can expect it to be repaired. If it is not covered by the Right to Repair, it may still be something which the council is responsible for. Your council will tell you how long it will take for them to carry out the work.
If your repair is covered by the Right to Repair, your council have to carry it out within a certain number of days. But sometimes things will go wrong. If they do, you should tell your council. You can tell it to get another contractor to do the work. If the second contractor still does not do the repair on time, the council will pay you up to £50 compensation.
Sometimes there may be a good reason why a repair can’t be completed on time. For example,if you did not keep your appointment to let the contractor in, and they therefore could not carry out the repair, the council won’t have to pay you any compensation.
If your council has told you it will carry out a repair that is not covered by the Right to Repair, but it fails to do so on time, you should tell the council.
Your council will have its own complaints procedure and you should ask to see a copy of this, if you want to complain.

If, after you have complained to the council it still does not carry out the repair, you can take your council to court. This can be expensive and you should seek independent advice, such as from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau before making a decision.
You can get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet Your Right to Repair.

Improvements to your home
You may make improvements to your home including a new kitchen, bathroom and toilet,
and outside painting. You must get your council to agree to any of these changes in writing first.
You may wish to fix a television aerial or satellite dish. You may need planning permission from your council for this.

If your tenancy is coming to an end, you may be able to get compensation from your council for the improvements you have made. You have the Right to Compensation for certain improvements, such as a new bathroom, toilet, kitchen, central heating, and energy efficiency and home security improvements. You may also be able to get compensation for other improvements you have made. Ask your council if the improvements are eligible for compensation. You must apply for compensation when your tenancy ends – which is usually when you move.
You will need to show your council bills for the work done. Your council will work out how much compensation to pay you. This will depend on the work you have had done, and how long ago the work was done.

You can get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet Your
New Right to Compensation for Improvements.

Things your council needs to know about you
When you become a tenant, your council needs to know your details and keep a record of them. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have the right of access to your personal housing file where you can check the details to make sure your council have got it right. If you are not satisfied with a certain piece of information in your file, you should seek advice from the Data Protection Commissioner. The Commissioner has produced a leaflet Using the law to protect your information.
A factsheet for tenants Access to personal housing records is also available on the Communities and Local Government website.
If you claim housing benefit, you have the right to know how your benefit has been worked out. If your claim is refused, you have the right to know why.

If you are disabled
All disabled people, including council tenants, can apply to their local housing authority for a disabled facilities grant to help them to carry out necessary adaptations to their homes. The grant is subject to a test of resources to work out the amount that you can afford to contribute. Or as an alternative, the local authority may be able to fund adaptations for you from its own housing budget, or offer you a more suitable property. You may find this more convenient, and less costly, than applying for a grant.
You can get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet Disabled facilities grant.

How can I move?
There are a number of ways in which you might be able to move home:
Exchanges
If you want to move to a council or housing association home in another council area, you may be able to do so. You will need to find someone to exchange with. You have the right to exchange.
You and the tenant you exchange with must both have the written permission of your council or housing association. It can only say ‘no’ for certain reasons; for example, if it thinks the home is too big or too small for the person who wants it.

Transfers
If you want to move to another property owned by your council you have the right to apply to go on the Council waiting list.

Moving from a home that is too big for you
Some tenants, particularly older people, live in homes that are too big for them. This can happen when children grow up and leave home. Councils often have schemes to help people to move to smaller homes if they wish, so that the larger ones can be used for families. Your council can assist you with the costs of a move, for example removal expenses, or having your telephone reconnected.
Councils have wide discretion about what kind of payments they can make. It will be able to tell you what scheme operates in your area. Ask your council what it can do to help you to move to a smaller property. If you want to buy a home of your own somewhere else, your council may pay you something for giving up your council home. The money will go towards a mortgage on the new home you buy. This is called a cash incentive scheme. Ask your council if it runs one.

Can I buy my home?
Probably. Most people who are secure tenants and have five years of public sector tenancy have the right to buy the homes they rent. But there are some exceptions. You may not be able to buy your home if, for example, you live in sheltered (warden assisted) housing or if your home is particularly suitable for elderly people. If your council agrees that you do have the right to buy your home – and you ask to buy it – they must sell it to you. You will get a discount on the price depending largely on how long you have been a public sector tenant and the maximum discount available in your area. If you buy your flat, the council continues to own the freehold and take key decisions eg on major works (for which you will generally have to pay your share).
You can get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet Your Right to Buy Your Home.

What can I expect from my council?
Good service
You should get good service from your council. The people in the housing department should be polite and helpful to you. They should make sure that everybody is treated equally, regardless of their sex, colour or creed. Your council should follow the Code of Practice in Rented Housing produced by the Commission for Racial Equality.
Local authorities have a duty to ensure that they do not discriminate either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race in the letting or management of housing they own. Local authorities also have duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

Your council’s Best Value performance plan will contain information about how well it has looked after your home, including its performance in collecting the rent, getting repairs done and bringing empty homes back into use. Your council may also produce a separate Annual Report to their tenants.
If you want to know more about how your council makes its decisions on housing, you have the right to go to public meetings of the council and the right to see the records (minutes) of its meetings.

Your right to be consulted
You have the right to be consulted. Your council must consult you about important changes, such as large-scale building work, how your homes are managed or changing the way it collects rent.

What should my council expect from me?
As a council tenant, you have responsibilities to your council and to other tenants. It is very important that you keep to the rules set out in your tenancy agreement which include paying your rent on time and not acting in a manner that will cause nuisance or annoyance to others.

What happens if I have problems with my neighbours?
Sometimes things will go wrong with your home or your estate. Some of these will be small things to do with the way your home is looked after by your council. Others could be more serious, such as crime, violence, drugs, vandalism, harassment or racial abuse. Councils will not tolerate anti-social behaviour by tenants and will take action against them. Changes to the housing law now offer better protection for tenants against nuisance neighbours.
Councils can tackle anti-social behaviour in a wide variety of ways. An example could be to use either mediation and counselling services to resolve disputes before they get out of control or by using injunctions to prevent unruly behaviour. In the most serious cases this could result in a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Councils also have a duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to establish partnerships with the police and others in the area to reduce crime and disorder. Ask your council for information on how it deals with nuisance neighbours and anti-social behaviour. Noise is sometimes a problem, particularly loud music and noisy parties. Your council should let you know about its noise complaints services and what counts as unacceptable neighbour noise. You can get more information in the leaflet Bothered by noise? available from DEFRA at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Your council should have a policy for dealing with racial harassment on its estates. This may include putting a clause in its tenancy agreements to prohibit harassment. Ask for details. If you feel you have been racially harassed by one of your neighbours, it is open to you to report the incident either to your local housing office, or to the local police if you prefer, and ask them to investigate your concerns.

What happens when things go wrong?
Use your council’s complaints procedure. You may think your council is stopping you from using the rights described in this article. You may think it has treated you wrongly or not behaved properly.
There are several ways in which you can take action.
Contact your housing office first; go to or phone your housing office and talk to
the staff there.
If you do not want to talk to officers, you could try talking to your local councillor and asking him or her to contact the council on your behalf.
If the people at the housing office do not solve your problem, you should use your council’s complaints procedure. Your council should tell you about this when you become a tenant. You should be able to make a formal complaint if you think the council has done something wrong.
Your housing office will tell you where you can go to see your councillor, or you can write to him or her at the Town Hall or Civic Centre.
Write to the Local Government Ombudsman.
If you think your council has treated you unfairly, you can write to the Local Government Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is independent and can investigate complaints about councils and other public bodies, with the aim of putting things right if they have gone wrong. The Ombudsman can recommend that your council pays you compensation if he or she finds that you have been badly treated and it is the council’s fault. They will not take up your complaint unless you can prove that you have given the council a chance to respond to your complaint through its internal complaints procedure.
You can get more information from the leaflet Complaint about the Council? Available from the
Local Government Ombudsman.
Go to court
You may wish to seek independent advice from a solicitor or from your local housing advice centre, Citizens Advice Bureau or the Shelter Line. However, as a last step you can take your council to court although this may prove expensive and take a long
time.

How can I get involved in improving the quality of service for tenants?

Under Best Value councils have a duty to continuously improve all the services they provide for local people and improve them by the best means available.
How can I be more involved?
Your views matter because if your council is to improve housing services it needs:
• to know what you think;
• to know about the changes you would like to see and which might influence the type and quality of service being provided;
• your feedback on whether changes are meeting the needs of local people and making things better on the ground for you.
Whilst you do not have to offer views if you do not want to, your council should at least give you the chance to offer your views on housing issues.
How to find out more
If you would like to know more about Best Value and how you can offer your views about housing services, you should ask at your local housing office or housing department. You can find out the address and phone number in the phone book, or on your tenancy agreement.

Tenant Participation Compacts
To make sure you have the chance to have a proper say in how the council manages your home, since 1 April 2000 councils have to develop Tenant Participation Compacts.

What are Tenant Participation Compacts?
Compacts are agreements between local councils and tenants like you. They should set out:
• how you can get involved with other tenants in local decisions on housing matters which affect you;
• what you and your council want to achieve locally through compacts, such as better ways of working together, improving local services or a better quality of life; and
• how the compacts will work and be checked to make sure they are working properly.

These agreements should be based on the standards set out in the National Framework for
Tenant Participation Compacts, published by Communities and Local Government.

What should a compact mean for me?
• you get the information you need on all aspects of housing services. Your council should make sure that the information is clear and accessible;
• you become aware of the opportunities to get involved in local decisions, including tenant management, and understand the benefits and responsibilities;
• you can have a role in important decisions on housing issues and your views are taken into account and can influence final decisions;
• you get clear information on your council’s policies about equality issues including race equality; and
• you have the opportunity to get involved whether you are old, young, come from an
ethnic minority group, are disabled, English is not your first language, or you live in a scattered community or a rural area.
What role can I have in developing and improving housing services in my area?
There are several ways you can do this. For example, you can join a local tenants’ group or ask your council to help you start one. Tenants’ groups are one way in which you can make your views known to the council on local housing problems or issues affecting the quality of life in their area. The compact should help with this. If you want to find out more about ways of getting involved in running your estate, including taking over the running of your housing services from the council under the Right to Manage, you should discuss this with your local council. You may also be able to get free independent advice and support from an approved agency. For more information about the Tenant Empowerment Programme contact the Housing Corporation.
You don’t have to get involved at all if that’s what you prefer – but you should take this decision on the basis of clear information from your council, knowing the range of opportunities that are available to you and why your views matter.

How do I find out more? If you would like to know more about what’s happening in your area, get in touch with your tenants’ group or ask your local council housing office or housing department. Then you can decide what level of involvement would suit you.
You can also get more information from the Communities and Local Government leaflet
Tenant Participation Compacts: A guide for tenants and A guide to the Tenant Empowerment
Programme from the Housing Corporation.

Further information
Here are some free leaflets and addresses you may find useful:
Citizens Advice Bureaux and advice centres –
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of advice centres are listed in a book called The FIAC Directory of Independent Advice Centres. You can get this at your nearest public library.
Complaints – Complaint about the Council? How to Complain to your Local Government
Ombudsman: available from your local council or from: http://www.lgo.org.uk/ LGO Advice line: 0845 602 1983.
Council addresses – Your council’s address is in the phone book, and in your tenants’ handbook. All council addresses and phone numbers are in the Municipal Year Book, which is in your nearest public library.
Data Protection – Using the law to protect your information is a leaflet produced by the Information Commissioner’s Office and is available from your local main Post Office. An information line is available on (Tel: 01625 545745).
Access to Personal Housing Records – A Factsheet for Council Tenants is produced by Communities and Local Government and is available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/accesspersonal

Housing Corporation – The Housing Corporation can be contacted at:
Maple House
149 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7RN
Tel: 0845 230700
http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/
Racial Equality – The Commission for Racial equality can be contacted at:
St Dunstan’s House
201-211 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1GZ
Tel: 020 7939 0000
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx
Shelter Line – An information line covering a range of housing issues is available 24 hours
(Tel: 0808 8004444).
Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) –
the TPAS Information Service provides a free helpline and information bank for tenants. It is open each working day (Tel: FREEPHONE 0500-844111)

November 2008

(Crown copyright 2002)

Tips for going to India

India. Injure. Endure. Mystical land of ashrams and complex religions. The largest democracy in the world that will, along with China, inherit the riches that the West now enjoys but will have no choice but to forsake.
However...they have a fucked up visa system and some other brobdingnagianly proportioned inadequacies that I might be able to help you overcome in order to smooth out your transit and increase your chances of getting some decent hooch and quality pork products when you come over.
Last I saw, they had changed their whole visa system but neglected to let anyone know. Make sure you don't go to the Indian High Commission in the Aldwych. The only places to get your visa (and at an inflated price at that) in London are at their outsourced centres, one in Victoria and one somewhere just west of Old street...ish. Their website theoretically allows you to make an appointment to go in with your passport/whatever and do the first interviewy thing. You will then have to go back two days later or more to collect. All this involves queuing and if you're coming over just before Xmas or Diwali and so is every last man jack with cheap microwave ovens (and the aforementioned hooch and porkiness) , it makes sense to apply for six month visa a bit earlier, especially as they are incredibly disorganised. You might even find they are closed so don't assume just because it's logical that it's going to happen that way.

If you're planning to take an internal flight when you get here, leave room in your check in bag for the booze that you buy in Heathrow (btw..Jet Airways are grrrrrrreat). When you get to Mumbai, and before you check in to your connection, put the booze into the check in bag. You're not allowed liquids (not even the 100ml on some internal carriers) in your hand luggage. The LHR duty free shop will tell you it's not possible to take it on an internal flight but they are talking what is called "a load of musty wank" this is a technical term that you are free to use on them. They'll understand. Anyway, the train is more fun and ridiculously cheap by our standards. http://www.zoomtra.com/indian-railways/ is useful. They also do flights.

For international flights, Jet allows for 28kgs each. That's about 7 kgs more than a 19 year old will lift before he says you might as well get a trolley (even if it is in a back pack). Internal allowances are about 20kgs but excess is negligible. I think I paid about a quid a kilo.

Priorities now or just Priorities, NOW! How to make a decision and not take the blame for it.

So, my friend is working for an internet software company thing. They're really quite groovy and seem to be able to turn their hands to anything. Anyhoo, here's the point:

He tested out his latest wheeze on me last week, a programme called Priorities Now which basically helps you to make a decision when it's really hard to do so. You pump in the names and the influence of the folks who make the decision (for my example I wanted to know whether I should go to Australia and see my best friend, go to India and spend less money or stay in the UK and work but spend even more money over Xmas).

I then gave myself 90% weight towards the final answer and 10% to another friend and the programme started asking me simple questions. It comes across as terribly simple but from what Gaz (internet bloke) explained to me it's mind-blowing stuff. Not that he's taking the credit for it...

Apparently it's based on a programme that was originally around in the eighties and is supposed to be used as a management decision tool and I loved the fact it took the decision out of my hands and I can now blame technology for what turns out to be (logically) Xmas in Oz, in the sun. (By the way...you really can't cheat it. You can ignore the answer you get of course, but if your decision making is suspect or erratic, or one of your committee is barking mad and way off message, it will seek it out and tell you ... and everyone else on the team if you want).

It's all done with some huge algorithm (sp?) which is all very well. Not sure when it's out but if I can get my hands on it again I need to find out how it will stand with the judge when I blame it for making me play away from home. It's logical your honour.

Home Repossessions

Okay, so in the UK at least, Northern Rock is getting a bit of a bollocking. Fresh off the back of being nationalised and bailed out by the British government to the tune of 26 billion pounds, they now stand accused of being 'too aggressive' in home repossessions as they (NR) struggle to pay back the money that they themselves borrowed. This doesn't have to be just bad luck for Northern Rock mortgage holders. Home repossessions have soared so if you find yourself with the bank breathing down your neck (or you wonder why they aren't already) there are some simple steps you have to make yourself follow. And that's most likely your problem. You have to get on with it, really ( I know it's a pain in the arrears but it's a fact) so bite the bullet.

1/ Make a budget sheet. Write down what you income is and what your outgoings are. Sort out what the your priorities are as far as your outgoings are concerned. Paying your mortgage to keep your home is going to be more important than having a fancy holiday or getting yourself an expensive treat. Remember, just because you are being hassled for money it doesn't necessarily mean these are the first bills you should pay. You probably find that the less of a priority it is for you to pay something, the more communications you are going to get PRECISELY because those companies making the loudest noise know that your debt to them is unsecured. A mortgage lender will probably not contact you as much because they know they are safe no matter who you pay first. They've got your house 'by the walls' so to speak. So basically, look after your mortgage first....and make sure you contact your mortgage lender if you are in arrears or it's getting to squeaky-bum time.

* If you haven't paid your mortgage for two months and if you haven't contacted your mortgage lender then that lender is entitled to apply to the county court for a repossession claim. But even if you haven't done this, it ain't over....not by a long chalk honey as you can't be evicted without a court order.

So..... Don't worry so much about those things you can weather more easily, such as bank loans or overdrafts as in the short term at least, defaulting will only affect your credit rating, not take the roof from over your head.

So knuckle down (we all hate doing it) and DO YOUR BUDGET SHEET. If you can pay what you are supposed to pay contractually, plus maybe some towards the arrears, they are going to back off, as they required by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to be fair and considerate. Them's the rules and are designed to stop them squishing your dreams like a bug..so don't panic.

IN THEORY, and that's a big 'in theory' (can you see what I did there with the caps lock on? Oh yeah) your lender is supposed to think about a repayment plan for you but don't hold your breath... These are people who got the trophy partner off the back of their bloated bonuses last year and may now be panicking as to how they are going to keep the other half in baubles and gym membership.....so you shouldn't waste time. Contacting THEM instead...GET PRO-ACTIVE.
You could as an example , ask for an interest-only mortgage for six months to tide you over, with the arrears added onto the mortgage. Lenders don't have to offer you another mortgage product, cheaper or otherwise but again, they are required by the FSA to be sympathetic. No....really.

If you phone up your lender and THEY say it's too late and is now being dealt with by lawyers, this is what is known in the trade as "A Party-Sized Bag 'O' Balls". It's nowhere near over.

If you get a court summons....make sure you turn up and get into the court itself. If you don't turn up, THEY win automatically. Be in court and be human and show that you are making some sort of effort.

And frog odds sake, don't agree to a new repayment plan that you won't be able to keep up just because it gets you off the hook in the short term. Mortgage company's agents (invariably solicitors) have a habit of strong arming desperate folks (even in the court waiting rooms) with deals that they say "you have to take". Sod them. It's up to the judge to decide what is reasonable and fair, not some no name random git with a valise and 90's aftershave. I mean really. How rude. The judge is going to be fair and they say that there ain't one in the country who actually WANTS to see a person homeless. So what else can you do?? Knuckle down...this is a bit dry:

• Can you work any overtime or extra shifts? Alternatively, negotiate a possible pay rise.? Stick with me here.
• If this is not possible can you take another part-time job? another ouch but .....want to keep your home?
• Could your partner earn more? (Now we're talking.... but approach cautiously and make sure you have two possible exits or a pointy stick)
• Do you have a spare room you could rent out? (Income received would be tax free)
• Are you getting all the benefits to which you am entitled? Fact sheets are available from www.direct.gov.uk
• Similarly, are you claiming all the tax credits to which you are entitled? The site www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk will show you clearly the credits you are entitled to. So top picking your proverbial and have a look.
• re you eligible for childcare vouchers? Visit www.childcarevouchers.co.uk for more information.

The next thing to do is to produce your budget. Helpful budget sheets and a calculator can be found at www.moneybasics.co.uk To do this you will need to:

• Find all your most recent bills
• Record everything you spend your money on (keeping a small notebook with you and writing all spending in it helps. hard but it's a one off)
• When food shopping take advantage of the "Spendometer" (http://www.creditaction.org.uk/spendometer.html) which you can download on to your mobile.
• Include all members of your family that spend money

Fill in your income after taking the above steps and then look at your spending. Once your budget has been completed take a keen look at it and ask yourself:
• What am I spending on non-essential items?
• Could I be paying less for expensive items like utilities? To help you go to a price comparison site like www.uswitch.com
• Can I make my money go further? Both this site and www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk have hundreds of money saving ideas.

Hopefully the steps outlined above will have improved your finances sufficiently that you will be able to meet your monthly mortgage payments and remove the threat of repossession. However if that is not the case you need to ask yourself "Dear sweet Jesus what else do I have to do?"

There may still be other options open to you:

• Are you able to downsize to a smaller home with the result that cash is released and that you can afford lower mortgage payments on the smaller property? Sounds dumb but may be possible still. Doesn't hurt to check it out.
• Could you switch to a different type of mortgage with your existing lender that would take the pressure off? Using an 'offset' mortgage product can be helpful if appropriate.
• Can you take out a cheaper mortgage with another lender? (This is probably an unlikely option especially if you are behind on your payments as companies have tightened their lending criteria considerably.)
• Can the lender suggest anything? If your problem is short-term such as being off work for a few weeks because of an operation, you may well find the mortgage company will be sympathetic and prepared to offer you a temporary payment "holiday" where they will agree to accept lower or even no payments.
• Have you made sure that you are paying your priority debts such as mortgage and council tax ahead of other less urgent demands such as credit and store cards? Non-payment of the former can result in more severe penalties to you than the latter.
• Even if repossession looks likely, seek time. Try and get the lender to agree that you try and sell the property yourself. It is in both your interests as the extra time may allow you to get a better price for the property and a lived in, furnished home is likely to be more attractive to potential buyers, rather than an auction house selling an empty, obviously repossessed property.
• If you and your partner jointly contribute to the mortgage payment, could your partner take over paying your share temporarily? Obviously if you are falling behind and your partner cannot make up the difference, then they too face losing their home even though they may have kept up to date with their share of payments.

The most important thing to do is to communicate with all involved. This involves talking to:

• Yourself! Many people who get in to a position of over-indebtedness go into denial, or are prone to seriously underestimating the amount they owe.
• Your partner and older children. Many people who end up in debt due to a change in personal circumstances, even when this is through no fault of their own, feel guilty and unable to tell their partners. In blissful ignorance therefore, they continue to spend as before and make no effort to either increase income or reduce spending. Partners also feel that trust has been broken when the other has been less than honest about their financial position. In an extreme example, a lady phoned our Helpline whilst there were people at her door to repossess the property, and her husband had not said a thing.
• Contact the Benefits Agency and other organisations outlined above to ensure you are getting all the help you are entitled to. Thresholds change frequently so just because you were turned down for something years ago does not mean that you are not eligible now.
• HMRC- if your predicament has arisen due to redundancy or short-time working, you may have paid too much tax under the PAYE system and are due a refund. Contact your tax office to check.
• Your mortgage company - your lender cannot be sympathetic to your problem if you haven't told them what it is! Always communicate in writing and keep copies of all letters sent and received. Only make offers you can realistically afford and back this up by sending copies of your budget and advise them of any change in your circumstances. Ask for their advice.
• Other creditors - once you have communicated with your mortgage company, (a priority creditor), ensure you write to everyone else you owe money to.
• Debt Advice agencies - if you have several debts it is vital that you seek free and confidential help from a debt advice charity. Contact the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) on 0800-138-1111 or visit their website at www.cccs.co.uk . National Debtline's website address is www.nationaldebtline.co.uk and faith charities (oh the indignity of it all) such as Christians Against Poverty www.capuk.org also do a brilliant job.

Good luck. You're not alone.

Much of this information and more kindly nicked from

http://www.creditaction.org.uk/

Free TV Links

http://www.sidereel.com/_home

Using the "Can I find the latest episode of House even though I fear it may be a series on the verge of jumping the shark" method, it seems to work. Have your pop up blocker in good order. It directed me to links like megavideo or youku. There was little messing about but once you learn which sites work that they send you via, you'll be good to go, especially if you're in the states. Or a terrible state. So far so good.

http://www.surfthechannel.com/

Probably the second best one out there in that you don't have to sign up, sign in or generally get dicked around to what turns out to be a preview of the whole show you actually wanted in the first place. But it does play by the rules (Where's "House"???)

http://www.tvchannelsfree.com/

A wide but not popular selection of what tend to be more 'specialised' TV channels around the globe. But if what you like is in the list, then you stand a chance. It might however be a recorded programme than what is actually being broadcast in real time.

http://www.hulu.com/

Well, I'm not in the US so as soon as they figured that out (in the registration process) they said they no can do, but by golly they're going to try really really hard to remedy that. Then asked me what my religion was. Honestly.

http://alluc.com/

They want money. Not alot but they do. So i didn't go for it so I have nooooooooo idea what it's like. So here's a picture of a dog dressed as Yoda.

http://www.tvlinks.cc/ took me to http://viptv.net/index/

and then it got too much of a p.i..t.a. There are a very few limited things to see, but the site wants you to jump through hoops, contribute, get involved blah de blah de etc. Feel free to tell me about it if you can be bothered

http://www.youtube.com/

Not to be discounted: Of course you are limited by the ten minute rule but line all your ducks u p in a row (in this case it was unfortunately "Hollyoaks" ....I'm so, SO sorry....it really was for a friend, 'onest guv) and you have a decent back up plan