Housing Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Council houses are now owned and managed by New Charter Housing Trust (0161 331 2000)

• What is the Council's role in Housing in Tameside?
• What is the Tameside Housing Partnership and how does it work?
• How can I find a home to rent or buy in Tameside?
• What housing options are there for people under 25?
• What housing options are there for older people?
• What help can I get with my housing related problems?
• How can I make my home more energy efficient?
• What schemes are there for improving areas and neighbourhoods in Tameside?
• Where can private tenants and landlords get information?

What is the Council's role in Housing in Tameside?

In March 2000, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council transferred all of its homes to a new local housing company, New Charter Housing Trust to ensure that these homes would be of a decent standard and that the families living in them would receive high quality services. The Council is now developing its strategic responsibilities in line with Government objectives, addressing all housing types and tenures to identify problems and devise solutions.

• Housing Strategy - Customer Information
• Tameside Housing Strategy
• Community Strategy
• Planning in Tameside and Unitary Development Plan
• Public Service Agreement

This is a partnership agreement between individual local authorities and the Government. The Council is offered extra funds as an incentive to completing targets ahead of time or to a higher standard.

What is the Tameside Housing Partnership and how does it work?

Tameside Housing Partnership brings together key stakeholders in the Borough such as Housing Associations, voluntary agencies, residents' groups etc to provide an opportunity for members to raise, discuss and influence current housing issues and policies.  There are various subgroups to the Partnership which deal with specific issues such as mental health and housing, homelessness and housing association development programmes.

How can I find a home to rent or buy in Tameside?

• Homes4Rent - Website helps home hunters.
• New Charter Housing Trust - New Charter manages the Housing Register for Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. New Charter and Tameside MBC have agreed a combined Allocation Policy and Application form. Application Forms are available from all New Charter shops and offices. Anyone accepted on to the Housing Register is assessed for housing need and given points which reflect this.  More details on criteria to be met to be considered for rehousing, the points system and where to apply can be found on the New Charter Trust Web Site.
• Housing Associations - Social landlords (Non-profit-making organisations) which provide affordable accommodation which they rent according to need.
• Estate Agents - To find contact details for Estate Agents in Tameside
• New Housing Developments - Use the online database to search for new housing developments in Tameside.

What housing options are there for people under 25?

• Rent Deposit Scheme - If you do not have enough money for a deposit on a private rented property and have no children you may be able to use this scheme.
• Information for young people leaving care
• Information Shop for Young People - aged 16-18.

What housing options are there for older people?

• Anchor Staying Put - Non profit making home improvement agency for people over 60 who own their own homes, offering advice, support and assistance with repairs, improvements and adaptations.
• Age Concern - First Call Service offers advice, support and basic handy person services.
• Residential Care
• Home Care - May offer help with personal care, cleaning and shopping after initial assessment.
• 'Better Care, Higher Standards' - Tells people needing long term care and support what standards of service they can expect from Tameside Adult Services, local health services and Tameside housing.
• Sheltered accommodation can have various degrees of care and is for retired people who wish to remain independent. Category 2 accommodation has a warden who lives nearby - this may suit people who are on their own or need daily looking in on.  Category 1 housing has no warden. For more information 0161 331 2345

What help can I get with my housing related problems?

• Homelessness - Homelessness law - a guide to your rights under the homeless legislation
• Housing Options Centre - The Housing Options Centre team can help you with your housing problems and give you information on a wide range of issues.
• Information Shop for Young People - Free and confidential information and advice and support for young people aged between 14 and 25 in Tameside
• Adaptations - Information for people with disabilities on a range of issues
• House Alterations
• Disrepair - The Housing Options Centre team can help you with your housing problems and give you information on a wide range of issues.
• Repairs to rented properties - Repair problems associated with an adjacent property - the Council can help to ensure that your landlord is doing the obligatory works to keep your home in good order.
• Renovation Grants

Financial Advice

• Housing Options Centre - Debt surgeries are held on Wednesday afternoons. Contact Housing Options Centre to make an appointment.
• Housing Benefits - Information on help with your rent and information for private landlords
• Citizens Advice Bureau - An independent organisation giving free legal advice on a range of issues
• Rent Deposit Scheme - If you do not have enough money for a deposit on a private rented property and have no children you may be able use this scheme.
• Information Shop for Young People - Can offer advice to young people up to 26 years old on a range of issues such as managing money

Neighbour Nuisance

• Noise Nuisance - What to do about noisy neighbours
• Harassment - Contact the Housing Options Centre

Domestic Violence

• Tameside Women's Project - Residential refuge offering temporary accommodation to women and children fleeing domestic violence
• Housing Options Centre - A specialist advisor is available and placements can be made at the Women's refuge

Immigration

• To obtain an accommodation certificate following inspection by Housing Standards Officers for UK Entry Clearance.

How can I make my home more energy efficient?

• Insulating your home and other energy saving tips.

What schemes are there for improving areas and neighbourhoods in Tameside?

• Tame Valley Partnership
• Ashton Regeneration Area
• Hattersley Development Trust
• Hyde Renewal Area
• Stalybridge

Where can private tenants and landlords get information?

Private Sector Tenants:

• Repairs to rented properties - The Council can advise on housing standards in private rented properties
• Housing Benefits
• What to do about harassment from your landlord - Private tenants suffering harassment from a landlord should contact the Housing Options Centre in Warrington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. 0161 331 2700
• Housing Options Centre - The Housing Options Centre team can help you with your housing problems and give you information on a wide range of issues.
• Rent Deposit Scheme - If you do not have enough money for a deposit on a private rented property and have no children you may be able to use this scheme.
• For information/queries about rent levels please telephone 01925 843934

Information for landlords:

• Housing Benefit for landlords
• Advice about renting your home - including landlords starter pack
• Repairs to rented properties - The Council can advise on housing standards in private rented properties
• Information leaflets for landlords
• Want to advertise a property to rent?
• Residential Landlords' Association
  

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Housing Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 2558/2387
0161 342 2868
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