Prospective Tenants

Eligibility for becoming a tenant

Applicants should:

be over 60 years of age
have a housing need (inappropriately housed, homeless or in danger of becoming homeless)
have a local connection: be a resident or previous resident of Hampstead Garden Suburb or London Borough of Barnet
be a relative of a resident in the Suburb

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

Applicants should be able to, and wish to live independently.

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

The application process

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.

Find out more

Accommodation and rental charges

The Orchard has 61 flats and provides accommodation for 48 single people and 13 couples.

The flats are self-contained and are either studio (single) or one bedroom (double). Studio flats comprise a bed sitting room with separate kitchen and bathroom. One bedroom flats comprise bedroom, living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

Sheltered housing at The Orchard is intended for people who are able to live independently, or with support provided privately or through the local authority.

Every flat is provided with a telecare call system so that a manager can be summoned in an emergency, for example, in the event of illness, fire or a fall. In an emergency and in cases of illness, managers will help and contact medical authorities or relatives. They will attend to minor repairs inside and outside the building and report to the Committee any major repairs considered necessary.

When managers are off duty the telecare call system is linked to a telecare monitoring service.

All tenants of Orchard Housing Society have security of tenure and are granted an assured tenancy.

No pets are allowed.

Find out more

Services

Orchard Housing Society's Managers are based on site Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Orchard Housing Society works with a telecare monitoring centre who provide 24/7 support for tenants. Flats are equipped with emergency pull cords and intercom systems. Telecare is contactable outside of office hours, weekends and public holidays.

Our facilities

Car park

Orchard Housing Society has a small car park that is available for visitors.

Communal room

We have a communal room that is available to tenants. It is well equipped with furniture, has its own well stocked kitchen and offers a variety of furniture to cater for all requirements. Furniture can be arranged for a range of events such as social events, meetings and card playing. The communal room has a television that is regularly used to show films and a piano that is used for music recitals.

Communal computer room

There is a small computer room situated in one of the blocks that is available to tenants. It contains a computer, printer and offers free internet access.

Gardens

The blocks are situated within extensive, well maintained gardens. These are accessible for all tenants, and have benches and tables for use in good weather. All ground floor flats have direct access to the gardens.

Laundry

There are two laundry rooms containing coin operated washing machines and tumble dryers for tenants to use.

Guest rooms

There are three well furnished guest rooms, two have en-suite shower rooms. These can be used by visiting relatives and friends of tenants and should be booked in advance. There is a small charge for the use of guest rooms.

Allotments

Tenants and local residents have access to Orchard Housing Society's allotments that are situated extremely close to The Orchard.

Associations, activities and events

Orchard Housing Society has an active Tenants Association that organises a variety of different activities and events, such as Summer and Winter parties and the staff also arrange coffee mornings and activities in our communal lounge.

Fellowship House is a short walk from The Orchard and offers various activities for local residents. Membership is free to Orchard tenants.

Information for Prospective Tenants

Our next date for application interviews