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Accommodation
certificates - fitness for human habitation
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The aim of this service is to identify properties
which fail to meet the fitness for habitation or
tolerable standard requirement and determine the most
satisfactory course of action to be taken with that
property.
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Housing -
information and advice
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Advice to tenants and landlords in the private sector
on housing related matters such as tenancies, welfare
benefits, rent, repairs etc.
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Housing
and Council Tax Benefit Overpayments
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The local authority has a duty to recover
overpayments of benefit for which there was no
entitlement from tenants and landlords and where
necessary take criminal proceedings in respect of
fraudulent overpayments.
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Housing
and Council Tax Benefit appeals
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Anyone who has claimed housing benefit and disagrees
with the decision made in their assessment can
challenge the decision by submitting an appeals form
within one month of the date of the original
decision. The authority is responsible for advising
claimants of appeal procedures and investigating each
appeal.
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Housing
association - financial assistance
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Councils may provide funding to Housing Associations
to provide new affordable and/or supported housing in
their area
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Housing
associations - nomination and registration
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Housing Associations are 'Registered Social
Landlords' not private landlords. They provide
housing in a very similar way to the Council and are
non-profit making. People on the local authority
transfer list or housing register may be offered a
Housing Association property instead of a Council
home.
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Housing
benefit - backdated claims
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A claimant may be eligible for their claim for
housing benefit to be backdated (by up to 52 weeks)
if there is a good cause why they were unable to
apply for their housing benefit earlier. The
authority is responsible for advising residents about
eligibility for backdating claims and for processing
applications.
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Housing
benefit - change of circumstances
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Review of housing benefit for an existing client
usually as a result of a change of circumstances (new
job, change of address etc.)
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Housing
benefit - new claim
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Processing of a new claim for housing benefit from
both council and private tenants. Claims require
evidence of tenancy and income in order to assess
eligibility for benefit.
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Housing
benefit - renewal
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Housing benefit is generally paid for a maximum of 60
weeks (5 years if the claimant is over 60). The local
authority is responsible for issuing the claimant
with a renewal form approximately 8 weeks before the
current benefit period is due to end and for
assessing the eligibility of the claimant to continue
to receive housing benefit.
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Private
tenants - advice and support
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A local authority may be able to provide help and
advice to existing private tenants who may be a
victim of harassment, illegal eviction or
experiencing trouble or issues with their landlord.
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Referrals to
other housing organisations
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The council may refer tenants to Registered Social
Landlords (housing associations) within the council
area or to the housing division of another LA where a
move to another area is a possibility. RSLs will
normally operate a scheme with the council whereby a
proportion of their property is set aside for people
on the council's housing waiting list.
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Sheltered
housing - housing association tenants
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Accommodation in sheltered housing is unfurnished
properties specially designed or adapted for elderly
people. Local residents who are currently housing
association tenants may be eligible for sheltered
housing according to age and needs. The council carry
out an assessment of applicants and maintain a
waiting list until suitable properties become
available.
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