Repairs and maintenance
Housing associations are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the structure of the property and any fittings supplied. New tenants will be advised of their association's repair policy, how it operates and who to contact to report repairs.
Adaptations
Tenants of associations who have difficulty managing at home and who need an adaptation to allow them to remain in their tenancy should, in the first instance, contact their association with the request for an adaptation.
Associations are aware that the needs of their tenants may change and are responsive to requests for adaptations to ensure tenants can continue to live in their own homes. Before any decision is made by the association, an assessment will be made by an occupational therapist who will recommend to the association what is needed.
Right to buy
Before 30
th September 2002 some housing association tenants had the right to buy if their tenancy began before 1
st January 1989, this will continue for as long as they remain in those tenancies. Other tenants of registered social landlords may now be eligible to buy after a period of 10 years from 30
th September 2002, although the landlord can decide to shorten this period of time or apply to have it extended. In addition, some registered housing associations have charitable status and their houses may be exempt from the right to buy.
Transfers and mutual exchanges
Associations will normally consider such a request if the tenant’s present home is no longer suitable (usually subject to a clear rent account and a satisfactory report on the tenancy). Associations may set aside a percentage of their properties for tenants applying for a transfer and allocations are made in the same way as applicants on the waiting list.
When a request for a transfer is made most associations will make a home visit to ensure the details are correct and to inspect the condition of the property.