news release 20 November 2008
A new way of finding properties to rent is set to be launched in South Derbyshire – and housing officers are going out and about in the district to give people a hands-on preview of how to use it.
Called South Derbyshire Homefinder, the new scheme allows home-seekers to apply for the property of their choice rather than having to wait for the Council to offer them one it thinks is suitable.
Homefinder will be launched on December 1 and from that date all South Derbyshire District Council properties, housing association properties in the district and private landlords' properties that have been checked by SDDC's Environmental Health officers or belong to accredited landlords will be advertised together.
The state-of-the-art system will make South Derbyshire District Council the first in the immediate region to have a common waiting list.
As well as allowing people to view properties available it will also allow them to see how many others are in the waiting list for any property and so will let them make an informed decision about whether or not to join the waiting list or to consider alternative properties.
Home-hunters need to fill in one of the new application forms and return it to the Council with proof of identification. The Council will then send an application number and full details of the range of places that available properties are being advertised with the website address, telephone and text numbers that can be used to place 'bids' on properties.
Details of all Homefinder properties will be available at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote, online at www.southderbyshirehomefinder.org.uk , in community locations such as parish council notice boards, post offices, libraries, The Old Post Centre in Newhall and Rosliston Forestry Centre. Applicants will be given the option of having hard copies sent to their current address if they can’t access any of the locations above.
Next week South Derbyshire’s Choice Based Lettings Project Manager Ruth Harris is spending time in several district locations where people can call in, see how the system works, get an application form and ask any questions.
Commenting on the new system Chairman of South Derbyshire's Housing and Community Services Committee Councillor John Lemmon said: "In the past those seeking rented accommodation in South Derbyshire have had to apply to up to seven different organisations to achieve the result that simply joining Homefinder can have.
"Housing Services have been working very hard over the past year to make the transition to the new service as smooth as possible and we are all looking forward to the launch. It really should make looking for a rented home in the district quicker and easier than it has ever been before."
Homefinder application forms are available from the Civic Offices, by contacting Ruth Harris on 01283 228743 or by emailing her on ruth.harris@south-derbys.gov.uk