What is Home Point?
Home Point is a partnership between Herefordshire Council and the main Housing Associations operating across the county to advertise and let affordable homes for rent. It allows you to express an interest in properties that are available to rent giving you a greater choice over where you want to live.
How to Apply
How do I apply for a new home, if I am not on the housing register?
If you are not on the housing register you must first complete an on-line application form and provide ALL supporting documents for all those to be rehoused. Any children forming part of the household will also need to provide ALL the documents requested regardless of age.
How do I reapply if my application is out of date or closed?
If you have applied for accommodation in the past, you can reapply by login into your previous Home Point reference number and use your PIN (usually your date of birth).
I don’t have all the supporting documents I need at the moment, should I wait to make an application?
No. You should not delay making your application. You will have up to 28 calender days from the date you submitted your application to provide all the supporting documents.
I do not want to post my documents, where do I need to take them?
You can take your original documents to Home Point at Blueschool House, Blueschool Street Hereford HR1 2LX during the hours of 10.00am - 3.00pm Monday - Friday (excluding bank holidays). There is no need to book an appointment as we operate a drop in service, but you will need to wait until an advisor is available to see you. The advisors will scan on your documents while you wait and you can then take them away with you.
What should I do if I’m having difficulty getting hold of all the information you need?
You should contact us and tell us which documents you’re having problems finding and why. We’ll also need to know when you expect to be able to send them. It may also be possible to provide an alternative document to support your application.
If I post my documents to you, do you return them by recorded delivery?
Not normally, we will keep them safe at Blueschool House for you to collect at your convenience. However, if you live outside of the county, it may be possible to return them via recorded delivery.
I do not want to post my original documents and I can’t get in to see you, what can I do?
You can upload all your documents before submitting your online application or email copies of the documents to Home Point using info@home-point.info. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact us to explain your situation.
What happens if I don’t provide the information you have asked for?
Please provide the information we have asked for within 28 calendar days. After this we will close your application. You will then be able to make a new application, if you wish.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances have changed and you have not provided your original documents within 28 calendar days, we will suspend your application for 14 calendar days to enable you to provide the supporting documents. If you do not provide the documents by the end of this period you application will be closed.
I have no income what do I need to provide?
The Housing Associations will want to know that you are able to pay the rent should you be successful in securing a property. You will therefore need to provide evidence that you are in receipt of some income. If you are between jobs or have just ceased employment, you could provide a copy of your P45, evidence that you have applied for benefits, or a copy of any new contracts of employment/job offers detailing the rate of pay and hours to be worked.
I don’t have any proof of identity what can I do?
You will need to try to get a copy of your birth certificate. You can get a copy of your birth certificate from the registrar of births, deaths and marriages. Home Point will accept out of date passports, but if you are unsure, please contact Home Point to discuss.
Bidding and Allocation of Properties
How will properties be let?
The housing associations are responsible for letting their own individual properties. Once the bidding cycle has finished, the housing associations will take off a shortlist of those applicants who have expressed an interest (placed a bid). Shortlists are organised by banding (A - highest, D - lowest) and then by waiting time within those bandings.
Where will properties be advertised?
All available properties will be advertised on this website, click Property Search/Bid to view the current homes being advertised. The properties will also be advertised at Home Point, Blueshool House, Hereford.
What do I do if I see a property I am interested in?
Log into your Home Point account, using your reference number and pin, select the property you are interested in and place a bid by follow the instructions in the Property Search.
You will not be able to bid, if you do not have an application that has been assessed and banded according to your needs. You will therefore need to Register by completing the online application form and provide all the supporting documents.
If you experience difficulties, call Home Point on 01432 260300 for assistance.
How many properties can I bid for at any one time?
You can bid for 2 properties at any one time. Properties will be advertised on a daily basis for a period of 7 calendar days. Once the individual deadlines are over and new properties are advertised, you can place further bids, BUT NO MORE THAN 2 AT ANY ONE TIME.
Will my queue position change once I have made a bid?
More than likely as it is not a first come first served basis. It will however depend on who else is interested, what band they are in and how long they have been waiting. So your position on individual shortlists will fluctuate during the 7 day cycle.
How will I know if my bid has been successful?
When the advertising cycle ends for each property, you will be contacted if you have been successful. This is likely, in the first instance, to be by phone, so please make sure your contact details are up to date. You can view the status of your bid by logging back into your account and viewing your bids. You may then see one of the following:-
"open" - the housing association has not yet looked at the shortlist and therefore no decisions have been made.
"offered elsewhere" - the property has been offered to someone else and you have been unsuccessful.
"skipped" - the housing association was unable to offer you the property, usually as you have not met some criteria as listed in the advert. You will need to contact the housing association direct to discuss the reasons for this.
"match suggested" - the housing association is considering offering you the property and they will contact you again so you can view the property, before signing the tenancy.
If you have not heard anything within 2-3 weeks it is unlikely that you have been successful. Feedback on the previous lettings will be published on this website (personal details of the successful applicants will not be included).
Can I view a property before deciding to accept it?
You would usually get to view the property prior to any signing of the tenancy, but this is usually the same day. You are advised to speak to the housing association directly to check.
What if I am having difficulty using the scheme?
Arrangements can be made for people who are unable to access the service for themselves. We have been working hard to make sure that the scheme is accessible to all. If you experience difficulties please contact us either via email (info@home-point.info) or 01432 261600 option 2.
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