Lettings Service Standard
Our promise to you
We are committed to providing excellent customer service, so that every time you contact us you have a good experience. Our lettings standard sets out what you can expect from us when you apply for a home from Homes Plus.
We will:
- Aim to process your housing application within five working days, which is the maximum time it will take from you making an application and hearing back from us*.
- Offer a tailored service to customers who need extra support to make a housing application*. Further details can be found in our Access to Services policy, which is available in the customer documents area of our website – www.homesplus.co.uk
- Allocate homes in line with our lettings policies.
- Give you the chance to look around the home we offer to you and tell you what you need to know to decide if the home is right for you.
- Complete reference and affordability checks with you to make sure that the property is right for you.
- Arrange a sign-up appointment with all customers named on the tenancy agreement at the home to explain the tenancy conditions and conduct a final viewing before giving you the keys to your new home.
- Make sure that your new home is ready to move into and that all required safety checks have been completed.
*Please note: These points do not relate to customers applying for homes in Shropshire, as housing applications are made through Shropshire HomePoint.
Step by step guide to applying for housing
1. Carefully read the Lettings policy to ensure you understand how and to who we are able to allocate our homes to. If you consider yourself to be homeless, please contact your local authority, in the first instance, as they provide urgent support.
2. Apply on-line:
Shropshire – www.shropshirehomepoint.co.uk
South Staffs – www.myhomefinder.org.uk
Stafford – www.homesplus.co.uk
3. Answer all the questions to the best of your knowledge and send all relevant information required to support your housing application to CBLTeamstaffordshire@homesplus.co.uk
4. Once we have received your application, we will assess all information provided, along with any evidence received. We will then let you know what your housing application reference numbers is, what size of property you are able to express interest on and what priority you have been awarded, based on your circumstances.
5. Once you have this information, you will be able to express an interest on any homes that you are eligible for. The number of eligible homes you can bid for is three in South Staffs and Stafford and one in Shropshire.
Priority banding
We will award applicants one of four priority bands based on the information provided to us at the time of application, including information provided within the application form and supporting evidence. All applications are assessed on housing and medical need and the four priority bands are outlined in the table below:
Gold Priority / Band A |
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Gold / Band B – The applicant needs to move urgently and can no longer live in their current home |
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Silver / Band C – The applicant’s current home is not suitable for their needs, but they are able to stay there whilst they find another home |
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Bronze / Band D – The applicants current home meets their needs, but they want to move |
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Rent costs
The tables below provide an illustration of weekly rents charged for different types and sizes of homes.
The rent and any relevant service charges would be determined by the type of tenancy you are offered.
General homes
Property type | Range of rents |
1 bedroom property | £78 – £112 |
2 bedroom property | £82 – £152 |
3 bedroom property | £90 – £179 |
4 bedroom property | £100 – £208 |
Retirement living homes
Property type | Range of rents |
Studio apartments | £72 – £100 |
1 bedroom property | £78 – £160 |
2 bedroom property | £90 – £181 |
Please note: the range of rents listed above are for 2023/24.
Rent in advance
Applicants will be asked to pay two weeks rent in advance before the tenancy starts.
We will offer support and advice to customers with regards to this payment of rent in advance on an individual basis as part of our verification process.
Frequently asked questions
We have put together a useful frequently asked questions and answers guide for applying for housing which can be found in the in the documents area of the Homes Plus website – www.homesplus.co.uk/documents or you can request a copy by calling our customer services team on 0800 048 8955.
Urgent support
If you consider yourself homeless or at risk of homelessness, you can contact your local authority
(24/7) for further advice and guidance:
Shropshire Council
Tel: 0345 678 9000
www.shropshire.gov.uk
South Staffs District Council
Tel: 01902 696000
www.sstaffs.gov.uk
Stafford Borough Council
Tel: 01785 619000
www.staffordbc.gov.uk
Cannock Chase District Council
Tel: 01543 462621
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Telford and Wrekin Council
Tel: 01952 380000
www.telford.gov.uk
Contact us
You can contact the lettings team for further advice and support about your housing
application and any questions you may have about our lettings policy.
Tel: 0800 048 8955
Email: CBLteamstaffordshire@homesplus.co.uk