Finding a place to live in High Peak can be difficult. The availability of council housing is very limited, house prices have risen and private rents seem very high. There are no easy solutions to this but there is a range of options that may meet your housing needs.
This section is aimed at people looking for somewhere to live and describes different sorts of accommodation that may be available.
Council Housing
The Council’s housing stock is allocated and managed by High Peak Community Housing. The Council’s allocation policy is based on a points system and aims to ensure that local people with the greatest housing need are prioritised for rehousing. The turnover of council properties is very slow and even those people with a very high prioirty may have to wait a considerable amount of time before they are allocated a property. In general, anyone who is over the age of 18, resident in the UK and not subject to immigration control can apply to join High Peak’s Housing Register You can increase your chances by being as flexible as possible about the type of property you will consider, including your area choices and floor levels. Existing tenants can apply to move home through the Transfer List & by Mutual Exchange.
Discounted Homes
These were properties sold on the open market that were built on Council owned land. Owners who decide to sell have to inform the Council that the property is to be advertised. HomeSeekers who register with the Council are informed of the sale prior to the property being advertised on the open market.
Private rented sector
Due to the high demand for council and housing association properties in High Peak some people will have no choice but to rent privately. Whilst rents in our area can be high, the private sector allows you to choose from a range of accommodation types and locations. Landlords advertise their properties in local papers, on notice boards in supermarkets & Post Offices and through letting agents. They usually ask for a deposit and a months rent in advance. Letting agents may also charge an additional fee for credit checks and references. If you are in receipt of benefits or have a low income you may be entitled to help with your rent through Housing Benefit. High Peak Borough Council will provide help and advice at www.highpeak.gov.uk/benefits. Our renting a property checklist will also help you. Shelter produce numerous downloadable Guides & Flowcharts to help people find their way round finding & financing accommodation. Further advice can be obtained from www.england.shelter.org.uk
Housing Associations
Housing Associations are also known as 'registered social landlords'. They provide affordable housing in a similar way to the council. They operate their own waiting lists and each one has it’s own points system. You should contact them directly to register. The Housing Associations leaflet gives details of Housing Associations with properties in the High Peak.
Sheltered Housing
Both the council and some Housing Associations provide self-contained Sheltered Housing for people over 60. Most schemes have a supervisor based on-site who offers support and advice on a range of issues to help you maintain as much independence as possible. Sheltered accommodation is allocated through our waiting list.
The Rent Deposit Scheme
At the present time, High Peak Rent Deposit Scheme is only available to single people and couples without children, who are threatened with homelessness. It aims to help them secure housing in the private sector by assisting them with some of the upfront costs of renting. The scheme is administered on our behalf by High Peak Housing Project. It is a referral-based service and you must make an appointment to see a Housing Options Adviser to discuss your eligibility for assistance.
Homebuy
The Homebuy scheme is open to people who are registered on our Housing Waiting List and have a housing need. It enables you to apply for an equity-based loan to help you buy a home on the open market. You may be able to borrow up to 25% of the property price, subject to the terms and conditions of the scheme. You must be able to afford 75% of the purchase price of the property and be eligible to apply for a mortgage.
Open Market HomeBuy
The Open Market HomeBuy scheme enables eligible people to purchase a home of their own on the open market, anywhere in England, with the assistance of equity loans of up to 25% of the value of the property, alongside a conventional mortgage
New Build HomeBuy
New Build HomeBuy is designed to help people who cannot afford to purchase a property outright. It enables eligible people to usually buy either, 25%, 50% or 75% of a property by way of a mortgage or cash purchase and you will then simply pay a subsidised rent on the remainder.
Social HomeBuy
Social HomeBuy is designed to enable tenants to purchase a share in the property that they are currently renting. Not all Registered Social Landlord's (RSL's) are able to offer this scheme and it is limited to eligible tenants.
Shared Ownership
Shared Ownership allows you to buy a home jointly with a housing association. You pay a mortgage on the percentage you own and a subsidised rent to the housing association on the other part. As time goes by, you can buy a bigger share of the property until you own it outright. You must be registered on our Housing waiting list and have a housing need to be eligible for this scheme. We will contact those people who have said they are interested in shared ownership to let them know when new schemes become available.
Tenants Incentive Scheme
Existing council tenants who have more bedrooms than they need may qualify for a payment of £750 through our Transfer Incentive scheme. Tenants who qualify for the scheme are given high priority to move to a smaller property. You must be registered on our transfer list.
- Transfer application form.
- Transfer incentive scheme leaflet
Mutual Exchange
If you are an existing council or Housing Association tenant, you can swap your home with another council or housing association tenant within High Peak. This is known as Mutual Exchange. Your landlord must agree to the swap and it will only be allowed if you have a clear rent account and good references. You must agree to accept the property you move to ‘ as seen’. You can look through the Mutual Exchange register at any of our offices . To take advantage of this scheme you need to be registered on our transfer list.
- Transfer application form
Homeswap
Homeswap is a national database of council or housing association tenants who want to move home. This means you could swap homes with a tenant in another part of the country subject to the landlords agreement and satisfactory references. www.homes.org.uk
Emergency Accommodation
Emergency accommodation may be necessary if you are at risk in your own home or have nowhere else to stay.
Women who are experiencing domestic violence may be able to find a refuge place through Women’s Aid National Helpline 0808 2000 247. www.womensaid.org.uk
Hostels for Single Men
There are no hostels in High Peak for single men, but this hostels list details some in the surrounding areas.