EBCC Sheltered Housing Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
- How do I qualify to be a resident?
- How does the charity appoint a resident?
- What type of occupancy will I have and how secure is it?
- Do I pay rent?
- What does the service contribution cover?
- Can I claim housing benefit?
- Is my privacy maintained?
- How secure are the flats?
- Are the flats unfurnished?
How do I qualify to be a resident?
There are two main criteria you must fulfill
- You must be a respectable and honest person of limited means currently living in the London Borough of Ealing.
- You must be over sixty years of age, in a reasonable state of health and capable of looking after yourself in a self- contained flat.
How does the charity appoint a resident?
- The appointment of residents is made without prejudice to the interests of existing residents
- A register of all applications is maintained.
- Applicants are required to complete the Charity’s Application Form, including details of income and supply evidence of his or her qualification of appointment.
- Applicants will be visited at their home where an assessment of their housing need will be made.
- Applicants are selected on the basis of need. Only if the Trustees consider two applications to be of equal merit will the date of application be taken into account.
- A resident will be appointed by a special panel of Trustees.
- The name, age, and description of every person appointed to be a resident and the date of every appointment and vacancy is kept on a register
What type of occupancy will I have and how secure is it?
As its homes have been permanently endowed, EBCC cannot grant tenancies or licences for the occupation of its flats but instead, the Trustees of EBCC appoint the resident as a beneficiary of the Charity. Trustees cannot ask residents to leave unless they
- Have been appointed without having the necessary qualifications or have provided incorrect information on the application form;
- No longer have the required qualifications;
- Suffer from an infirmity that means they are unsuited to remain a resident;
- Persistently or without reasonable excuse disregard the residents regulations or disturb the quiet occupation of the flats or behave in an aggravating or offensive manner.
- In exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Trustees and including but not limited to violent or threatening behaviour or racial or sexual harassment towards other beneficiaries, Charity staff or lawful visitors to the Almshouse Accommodation) a single breach may result in the Trustees terminating an appointment.
Do I pay rent?
Instead of paying rent, residents are charged a weekly maintenance contribution and this amount covers the running costs of the flat and the communal areas. Contributions are paid weekly or monthly in advance.
What does the weekly maintenance contribution charge cover?
- The Manager’s salary and associated costs
- Contribution towards central staff and administration costs
- Heating and hot water
- Water rates
- Maintenance and redecoration
- Cleaning of common areas
- External window cleaning
- Gardening
- Sinking fund provision
In addition, residents are responsible for their domestic electricity (lighting, cooking and other appliances), telephone, council tax and other living expenses.
Can I claim housing benefit?
Subject to status Housing Benefit can be claimed for the flats. It can either be paid directly to the residents or to EBCC. Housing Benefit excludes heating, hot water and water rates. If Housing Benefit is paid directly to EBCC then the cost of these items is paid to EBCC by the resident.
Is my privacy maintained?
On allocation of the flat residents are provided with two sets of keys. EBCC staff or the Ealing Bureau will only enter a flat without invitation if the resident is believed to be in need of assistance or if the resident is not in occupation but there is a problem with services e.g. water leaking.
At all other times total privacy is maintained.
How secure are the flats?
Regretfully unwanted visitors do turn up from time to time. Entry phones are provided in most flats. If residents are in any doubt as to the validity of a caller they should not open the door
Are the flats unfurnished?
Apart from cooker and refrigerator the majority of flats are provided unfurnished. However some do have carpets, curtains and other items of furniture left by the previous occupant and these are made available to the incoming resident as a gift.