The Application Process

Applicants should:

• be over 60 years of age
• be in housing need (either inappropriately housed, homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless)
• have a local connection: be a present or previous resident of Hampstead Garden Suburb or the borough of Barnet or be a close relation or friend of a Suburb resident.

Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to the Suburb.

Applicants should also:

• be able to, and wish to, live independently
• not require residential or nursing care

Any risks identified after completion of a needs and risk assessment, must be manageable by the service.

We accept direct applications and nominations from Barnet Council Housing Department (for nine designated flats).

Normally, we operate one waiting list. The waiting list is considered and decided by the managers on an individuals circumstances and whether they should be considered a priority.

Applicants will be asked on the Application Form whether they wish their application to be considered a priority.

We will only make an offer of housing following a needs and risk assessment which confirms the need for the service.

We will require a Medical Form to be completed by the applicant’s GP and we may require further evidence of any information provided to support an application.

We will process all applications fairly according to the same procedure and in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy.

We will compare all applications, including the assessment of needs and risks, with the Orchard eligibility criteria in order to decide whether we can offer a service.

We will use and store all information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. 

People wishing to live at the Orchard must complete an Application Form, a medical form and a Needs and Risk Assessment before being offered a flat.

The Application Form and Assessment will be used to decide whether the applicant meets our eligibility criteria.

You can download the Application form at the bottom of this page.

Procedure

We will send all enquirers an Application Pack, which will include:

• an Application Form
• a copy of the  Applications Policy and Procedure
• a copy of the  Service Statement
• a copy of the Current Rent 

Committee Members and Managers responsible for admissions will assess the details on the returned and completed Application Form against the eligibility criteria.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be advised of their right to appeal in writing, and signposted to Barnet Council Housing Department and other appropriate services.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be placed on a priority or long term waiting list.

We will respond to all applicants within four weeks of receipt of a completed Application Form inviting them to attend a meeting.

Applicants who choose the long-term waiting list are requested to inform the Orchard when their needs change and they wish to move to the priority waiting list.

Applicants who choose the priority waiting list are requested to contact the Orchard every six months to see if a suitable flat is due to become available.

A Committee Member responsible for admissions and the Tenant Support Manager will arrange a meeting with priority applicants to review the Application Form.

The Committee Members responsible for admissions will prioritise applicants on the priority waiting list according to housing need and, in the following order:

• residency of the Hampstead Garden Suburb
• a close relation or friend in the Suburb
• previous residency of the Suburb
• residency in the borough of Barnet

When a property becomes vacant, the tenant support manager will arrange a viewing and meeting with the first applicant on the priority waiting list. The applicant at this stage will be sent a medical form for completion by their GP, which should be returned prior to viewing.

A Committee Member along with the Tenant Support Manager will review the Application Form to ensure the applicant still meets the eligibility criteria.

If information becomes available during the initial application review, which indicates that the applicant does not in fact meet the eligibility criteria, the Orchard reserves the right not to make an offer of housing.

The Orchard expects priority applicants to accept or decline an offer of housing within five days of the viewing and for the tenancy to commence within one week of acceptance.