Banding categories
BAND A – High housing need
A1
a) New applicants seeking social housing:
Any of:
Multiple need: Having more than one band A2 need.
b) Existing applicants who wish to transfer to a new property:
Any of:
Multiple need: Having more than one band A2 need.
A2
a) New applicants seeking social housing:
Any of:
Accommodation: Any of:
Shared use of an external toilet or no flush sanitation; complete lack of a bathroom; complete lack of a kitchen.
Medical circumstances: Confirmation received from the council’s medical officer that an individuals living conditions are seriously affecting the health of any person included in the application.
Social need: Any of:
Husband and wife/partners who are forced to live apart; children who are unable to live with their parents, or with someone else with whom they would normally be expected to reside.
Insecurity of tenure: Under a valid notice to quit and assessed as being in a priority group and unintentionally homeless.
Homeless households: A non-secure introductory tenancy will be provided for homeless applicants where the council has accepted or would have accepted a duty under s193 of Part VI of the Housing Act 1996. One offer of suitable accommodation will discharge the council’s duty towards the applicant under homelessness legislation. The council considers a suitable offer to be where the property is the right size for the household and meets medical needs where applicable. However, the applicant has a right to a review of a decision when an offer has discharged the duty and will be informed of his/her right to request a review under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. A review in this situation is not part of the lettings policy.
A leaflet entitled ‘Information on Reviewing Your Homeless Decision’ contains detailed information on the review process and is included in all decision letters. You can also ask for a copy by calling the council on 01322 343907.
b) Existing applicants who wish to transfer to a new property:
Any of:
Accommodation: The accommodation is too small for their needs.
Medical circumstances: Confirmation received from the council’s medical officer that an applicant’s living conditions are seriously affecting the health of any person included in the application.
A3
Any of:
Accommodation under the Joint Assessment and Referral Scheme (JARS): The council has a service agreement in place with West Kent Social Services and West
Kent National Health Services and Social Care Trust to re-house up to 20 households per year under a joint assessment scheme.
Accommodation following move-on from women’s refuges, mother and baby units and other supported accommodation: Applicants accommodated in women’s refuges within the borough, supported housing schemes for mothers and babies and those leaving other supported accommodation.
Downsize for Cash scheme: Qualifying tenants who occupy accommodation too large for their needs and who wish to downsize into one bedroom accommodation.
Reciprocal lettings: Where the council is approached by another social landlord outside of the borough seeking to re-house an applicant because of exceptional circumstances, such as witness protection.
Adapted properties: A move into an adapted property.
Management transfers: A move agreed in exceptional circumstances due to significant issues associated with the tenant’s occupation that has resulted in imminent personal risk to the household if they remain. Accommodation will be offered on a ‘like for like’ basis depending on the availability of the housing stock. If a move takes place on a ‘like for like’ basis, the applicant, if registered on the housing list, will retain their position on the housing list for future bids under choice based lettings.
Allocations not covered by Part VI of the Housing Act 1996:
1) Where the council is carrying out repairs or improvements to the Council property or where, for reasons of demolition or development, tenants are required to move from their homes.
2) Where the council has a duty to re-house residential occupiers following a compulsory purchase and provides suitable alternative accommodation under the Land Compensation Act 1973, s39.
3) Where the council grants an introductory tenancy to a former owner-occupier or statutory tenant of a defective dwelling house under the Housing Act 1985.
Homeless households accommodated in the private sector: The household has been accommodated under the Private Sector Leasing (PSL), Private Sector
Accommodation Scheme (PSA), or Dartford Private Leasing Scheme (DPLS).
BAND B – Moderate housing need
a) New applicants seeking social housing:
Any of:
Accommodation: Any bedroom shortage, any sharing of kitchen or bathroom facilities. Where two households are amalgamated into a single family unit.
Medica l circumstances: Confirmation received from the council’s medical officer that an applicant’s living conditions are moderately affecting the health of any person included in the application.
b) Existing applicants who wish to transfer to a new property:
Any of:
Accommodation: Families with children under 12 years of age living in flats or maisonettes and wishing to move to houses.
Medical circumstances: Confirmation received from the council’s medical officer that an applicant’s living conditions are moderately affecting the health of any person included in the application.
BAND C – Low level or no particular housing need
New and existing applicants, who have a low level or no particular housing need, for example a medical condition that is only mildly affecting the health of any person included in the application or where a tenant has no housing need but wishes to move to a different locality. This band will also include applications from former residents aged 60 years and above who are seeking elderly person’s accommodation within the borough (to qualify under this category, applications must be made within a two year period of leaving the borough).
BAND D– Households from outside the borough who do not fall into ANY reasonable preference category
Applications from outside the borough will be placed in this band, where the council has carried out an assessment of housing need and the applicant does not fall into any category of reasonable preference groups. This band will also include applications from former residents aged 60 and above who are seeking elderly person’s accommodation within the borough but are doing so outside of the two year qualifying period described above.
Applicants have a right to request a review of their banding category.
