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Regeneration : Area Regeneration : Demolition and Clearance : FAQ - Tenants

FAQ - Tenants

Your Guide to Moving Home

At Erimus Housing we want to ensure we do everything we can to help you if your home is in a regeneration area and is due to be demolished.

We want to make the move to your new home as smooth as possible and we will ensure we keep you fully informed about why we need to demolish and the options and choices available.

You will not have to move until you have been offered somewhere else to live that you are happy with. When you move, we will then make sure you get all the compensation you are entitled to including home loss and disturbance payments, as well as removals expenses.

The questions below aim to answer some of the queries you may have about the process but please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

I’ve been told I have to move to another property, what happens next?

A housing liaison & relocation officer will visit you to answer any queries and help you complete a form to register you on our Homechoice scheme, which enables you to find a new home of your own choice. Once the membership form is completed, it can be posted or hand delivered to Homechoice on Corporation Road in Middlesbrough or your local area housing office. It is vital that you register as soon as possible.

What happens once I have registered with Homechoice?

You will receive a welcome pack and password, meaning you can now start bidding on properties from the available property list which is advertised on the Erimus Housing website. You can also pick this up on a fortnightly basis from your local area housing office and the properties are also advertised in the Evening Gazette. For more details contact Homechoice on 01642 773633.

What is the banding system and how does it work?

If you are an Erimus Housing tenant and your property is in a clearance area, you will be given the top priority status for rehousing. The allocation of a property depends on when you were told your home would be demolished and the date you registered with Homechoice. Remember - early registration is important.

Will anyone help me through this process?

We have a dedicated team to help you through the process. Ring our Homechoice team on 01642 773633 for assistance.

I have successfully bid on a property and have a tenancy start date. What happens next?

Housing liaison & relocation officers will visit the property you are moving from to carry out a disturbance inspection and arrange a convenient date for your move to your new home.

What if I require specialist/adapted or sheltered accommodation?

We will pass your details on to a specialist team, who will contact you and discuss your circumstances in more detail. They may need to gather additional information from your doctor, social services or request an occupational therapy assessment, in order to establish your needs and housing requirements.

Will I be given a home loss payment before I move out of my current home?

You will receive a home loss payment if you have been in your property for at least one year and you are moving out permanently due to redevelopment or clearance. The amount awarded is £4,400 (joint tenants share this amount equally). Payment will be by cheque and can only be made after you move. Any rent arrears will be deducted from your cheque.

What is a disturbance payment?

A disturbance payment is made to compensate you for the cost of moving from your home. To qualify, you do not need to have lived in the property a year, but you must have been the tenant at the time the decision was made to demolish the property. This payment will be made by cheque.

Do I need a bank account?

It is important to have a bank account for the home loss and disturbance cheque to be paid into. You can open a bank account by taking two forms of identification, preferably a passport or driving licence, along with proof of your name and address to any bank.

What about gas and electricity?

If you have any gas or electricity appliances, you must contact the supplier to give them the final meter reading and tell them your new address. This is important otherwise you may incur ongoing charges.

Do I need to inform the Council and Housing Benefit Agency that I am moving?

It is important to let them know of any change of address to ensure you continue to receive all that is due to you. Don’t forget to notify the gas/electricity/water companies and Post Office of your new address so that your mail can be redirected.

Can I leave items in my old property?

No, we ask that nothing is left in the property. It is important to take all your furniture when you leave and we may charge a removal fee if we have to clear it.

If you need to get dispose of any items, call Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Services on 01642 726001 to arrange a date for them to be collected. Please ring well in advance of the removal date as this team may request up to three weeks’ notice.

When will the empty properties be demolished?

When the last property in the block becomes empty, we arrange for the gas, electricity and water to be disconnected. We will also arrange for health and safety checks to be carried out. This work can take up to 12 weeks but once it is completed, the properties are handed over to the demolition contractor.

How will Erimus Housing support people affected by demolition?

We realise that demolition plans can cause a lot of concern for the residents affected. If you are affected by these plans, you can talk to the regeneration team in your home or at your local area housing office. The regeneration team can give you information about the packages of support we can offer, including financial compensation, welfare rights advice and a range of options to help you move to your new home.

Who can I contact?

If you require any further information, please contact:
Mike Gappy, regeneration officer, on 01642 773621
Kelly Jeffels, housing liaison and relocation officer, on 01642 773619
Angela Chappell, housing liaison and relocation officer, on 01642 773620

Other useful Erimus Housing phone numbers

Erimus Housing - 01642 773600
Homechoice - 01642 773633

Area housing offices

Area 1 Housing Office - 01642 818306
Area 2 Housing Office - 01642 224321
Area 3 Housing Office - 01642 241601
Area 4 Housing Office - 01642 591834


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