Housing Association Property?

P4ula

Hi again,

Well I had a viewing after work yesterday. The apartments are, as I said, brand new and are fantastic. Nice sized rooms (for a 1 bedroom flat) and all mod cons. The kitchen is great with enough room and all modern units, and the bathroom has a separate shower cubicle. There is a security system with camera built in so I can see who maybe ringing my doorbell. The rent being £84 per week which includes a £1.90 per week service charge (which is £20 less per week than I am currently paying to rent privately).

The only small downside (if there is one) is that they are all electric with night storage heaters (there is no gas at all in the area where they have been built) but they are very well insulated and triple glazed. I have had storage heaters before so know how to use them economically.

Apparently there is something called a Section 106 agreement on the flats which means the housing association can only rent them to people who are over 40 and either work in the area and/or have close ties with the parish in which they are located. Hence as I both work locally and my family live in the parish, I met all the criteria.

Anyway, after viewing four of the six flats yesterday, I was told a decision on who would be lucky would be made today (apparently for the six flats 10 people had been invited to view). Suffice to say I was nervously waiting for my mobile to ring whilst I was at work today.

Anyway at 11.45am today I got the call and have been allocated Flat No 2 (I was actually given a choice of flat 2, 3 or 4 but I liked the layout of flat 2 the best). To say I am delighted is a total understatement. Although I officially take over the flat on Friday 21st December, I can have the keys from tomorrow to start arranging things.

I have also been in touch with my current landlord via the letting company and I will have an overlap of 6 weeks but that is not a problem, as it gives me ample time to move. Just knowing this could well be my last move for years makes it all so different I am pleased to say.

I really must say thanks for all the help from the forum members here and to those who are still bidding on the choice based letting system, never give up hope.

Paula

johnsons_baby

Cingratulations Paula, hope you are happy in your new home!
I rent through an HA and its very community orientated, as I moved into a new area I got to meet new people via the tenant groups they hold.

Jinx

Congrats P4ula, hope you will be very happy in your new home.

My daughter is waiting to hear about something similar in Edinburgh which is currently being built - fingers crossed!

££sc££

Congratulations, it's nice to hear a happy story. wishing you many years of happiness in your new home :j

eamon

Thats smashing news. Well done!

suki1964

Wonderful news.

Wishing you many happy years in you new home

P4ula

Having now being living in my housing association flat for 7 weeks now, I thought I would just give a quick update.

As I posted at the time, I was allocated a brand new one bedroom housing association flat in a brand new complex, mixed in with private buyers. It is ideally located as I can now get to work much quicker and my closest family are only a few streets away.

Compared to where I was living (a private rental) this new flat is brilliant. It is triple glazed and really warm. Although it is all electric with storage heating, I have taken meter readings weekly since I moved in and according to my workings out, it is a lot cheaper than I expected. Infact I only have been using two of the four fitted storage heaters as they keep the all flat really warm. Interestingly I thought it was 'Economy 7' but it is actually 'Economy 10' as the storage heaters get a three hour 'boost' at cheap rate during the afternoon so it does not get cold in the evening. The flats all have a AAA+ energy rating so are really warm. There are also individual solar panels fitted to the roof so they help to keep energy bills down as well.

Also the rent is almost £20.00 per week cheaper than where I was previously living hence I am much better off financially. The neighbours are really nice people as well.

My worries about the difference in tenancy security between council properties and housing association properties were well answered by people above. Other than not having a right to buy (which I couldn't really afford to anyway) there seems very little difference tenure wise. It is great knowing that as long as I pay the rent on time (I actually always pay two months ahead) and cause no 'anti-social' problems (I never have done and cannot foresee me ever doing) then I can and will be here for a very long time.

I know that due to forthcoming changes for those claiming housing benefit etc, one bedroom social housing properties are going to be in great demand, but to those bidding on them and seemingly never getting anywhere, keep bidding and eventually you may be as lucky as I have been.

Paula

carefullycautious

Thank you for coming back. It is heartwarming to hear some good news for a change. Your flat sounds lovely and warm, I would love to know how much per month it costs to heat during the winter months.

I downsized from a three bedroomed house to a one bedroom bungalow, best thing I ever did. I think that more over 40/50 properties should be made available for people who wish to downsize or who are happy with a smaller property.

Most of the housing stock in the uk should be replaced due to the extortionate bills people are trying to find just to heat the places.

Anyway wishing you continued happiness in your new home