Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions

Housing Issues

• Am I eligible for Council accommodation?
• How do I get a transfer?
• Am I eligible for a transfer grant?
• What is a mutual exchange?
• I would like to know more about sheltered housing in Fareham
• I am homeless - how can the Council help me?
• What is shared ownership?
• Who has the 'Right to Buy'?
• I would like to rent a garage
• Can the Council help me with the problems I have with my neighbours?
• I am a Council tenant - how do I organise repairs to my property?
• How do I contact the Council regarding a repair when the offices are closed?
• What do I do if my boiler is not working?
• What do I do if I smell gas?
• I am a Council tenant - does my gas boiler need inspecting?
• I am a Council tenant with a room which needs decorating and an unmanageable garden - can the Council help?
• I am having problems paying my Council rent - what can I do?
• I have lost my swipe payment card - how can I get a new one?
• I live in bedsit type accommodation and the rooms do not have fire doors. Is this right?
• My private tenanted property is damp and in a state of disrepair. Can the Council help?

 

Am I eligible for Council accommodation?

 

You will be eligible to apply to join the Housing Waiting List if:

• You are aged 16 or over.
• You are resident in the United Kingdom.
• You are not subject to immigration control.

However, even if you are eligible, you may not be able to express an interest in accommodation if:

• You or a member of your household have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour serious enough to make that person unsuitable as a tenant
• You have deliberately worsened your housing situation in order to gain accommodation

For more information please contact the Housing Department at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: csd@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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How do I get a transfer?

 

You may be considered for a transfer to alternative accommodation if you are:

• Currently a Fareham Borough Council Tenant
• A registered Housing Association tenant (not in sheltered accommodation) as long as Fareham Borough Council has the right to nominate a new tenant to the property

For your application to be accepted you must be eligible to join the Housing Register, as above.

 

If you are not able to transfer then a mutual exchange may be the answer.

 

For more information please contact the Strategic Housing Section at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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Am I eligible for a transfer grant?

 

If you are looking to transfer to a smaller property you may be eligible for a transfer grant if you need to transfer to a property with less bedrooms.

 

For more information please contact the Strategic Housing Section at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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What is a mutual exchange?

 

If you want to move for various reasons but are not able to transfer, you may be able to do a mutual exchange. A register of tenants who wish to move within the Borough is available at the Customer Service Centre in the Civic Offices on the ground floor.

 

If you find a property you are interested in you must contact the tenants yourself and arrange to view the property, if you then wish to consider a move please contact the Tenancy Services Section at Fareham Borough Council for further information - tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I would like to know more about sheltered housing in Fareham

• Is your home too large?
• Are you on your own?
• Is your garden unmanageable?
• Are you worrying about repairs to the house?

Then sheltered housing could be just the answer. It provides secure accommodation for retired people with the help and support when you need it yet you have the privacy when you want it.

 

To be eligible you must:

• Be over 60 years of age
• Be able to benefit from having a Warden on call

If you want to know more, then please contact the Strategic Housing Section on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I am homeless - how can the Council help me?

 

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, Fareham Borough Council has a Housing Advice Service which can offer you advice and assistance through this difficult time.

 

The Housing Advice Service is free and confidential and can give advice on such matters as Landlord/Tenant rights, illegal evictions, harassment, money advice and much more.

 

Homelessness Prevention Officers operate a Drop-In Service which is available 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Thursday.

 

Please contact the Housing Options Team at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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What is Shared Ownership?

 

Shared Ownership simply means buying a house in easy stages, for example you buy 50% on mortgage and rent 50% from the Council or Housing Association, at any stage you may purchase the remaining 50%.

 

The scheme is aimed at existing Council tenants, applicants on the Housing Register and first time buyers who live in the Borough of Fareham, and are unable to obtain a mortgage to purchase a property outright.

 

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Who has the right to buy?

 

If you have been a Secure Tenant for two years, you may be eligible to purchase your home through the "Right To Buy" scheme.

 

For an information booklet and application form please contact the Tenancy Services Section at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I would like to rent a garage

 

The Council has a number of garages available to rent throughout the Borough. The weekly rent for Council tenants and Leaseholders is ?8.50 and for private tenants ?10.46, this includes VAT.

 

There is a waiting list for most areas. Please complete and return a Tenancy of a Garage application form (64 Kb) .  For more information on Council Garages contact the Tenancy Services Section at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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Can the Council help me with the problems I have with my neighbours?

 

If you are:

• Concerned about what to do next?
• Frightened to complain?
• Angry that no one will listen?

For help and advice please contact Fareham Borough Council on 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I am a Council tenant - how do I organise repairs to my property?

 

Repairs to your property are carried out by the Council's Building Services Section.

 

For more information please contact the Building Services Department of Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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How do I contact the Council regarding a repair when the offices are closed?

 

If it is an emergency you will need to contact the Emergency Out of Hours Service, to do this you should ring 01329 236100 and listen to the recorded message which will give you details of which number to ring.

 

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What do I do if my boiler is not working?

 

Contact Building Services Department of Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or email housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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What do I do if I smell gas?

 

Contact Gas Escape on tel: 0800 111999

 

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I am a Council tenant - does my gas boiler need inspecting?

 

Did you know that your gas boiler should be inspected and serviced once a year by the Council?

 

If you think your boiler needs servicing please contact the Building Services Department of Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I am a Council tenant with a room which needs decorating and an unmanageable garden - can the Council help?

 

If you are a Council Tenant and are of pensionable age or disabled and on housing benefit then Fareham Borough Council may be able to help you.

 

For more information please contact the Tenancy Services Section of Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I am having problems paying my Council rent - what can I do?

 

If you are a Council Tenant and are having problems paying your rent your Area Housing Officer may be able to give you help and advice. For more information please contact the Tenancy Services Section of Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I have lost my swipe payment card - how can I get a new one?

 

If you have lost your rent payment card then please contact the Tenancy Services Section at Fareham Borough Council on tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: housing@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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I live in bedsit type accommodation and the rooms do not have fire doors. Is this right?

 

This type of house should be inspected by an authorised officer of the Council to ensure that it is provided with an adequate means of escape in case of fire.

 

For more information please contact the Department of Health & Regulatory Services on tel: 01329 236100 ext: 2387 or e-mail: regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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My private tenanted property is damp and in a state of disrepair. Can the Council help?

 

An authorised officer of the Council will inspect your home and depending on the condition of the same, can require the landlord to make the property fit for human habitation.

 

For more information please contact the Department of Health & Regulatory Services on tel: 01329 236100 ext: 2387 or by e-mail: regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.

 

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