Heygate Estate

Heygate 'Right to Return'

Ex- residents of the Heygate Estate have been given the"Right to Return" to the new developments built at the Elephant & Castle area, and as such have priority to apply for these properties over other applicants on our housing list. The Council is working closely with the Housing Associations providing these properties, having already held open days for ex-Heygate residents to come and view the new developments, and express an interest if they wish.

If you are a former Heygate Estate tenant, who has signed a right to return agreement and you are waiting to be re-housed, please read the following 'frequently asked questions' below, which gives information about the re-housing process, together with further information on when new developments will be ready.

Any further queries please contact the housing options team 0207 525 0723. Alternatively you can email elephantinfo@southwark.gov.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The Right to Return Agreement

1.1 What is the guaranteed right to return and what does it mean to me?

The guaranteed right to return gives you the opportunity to move back into the Elephant and Castle area once the proposed new housing has been completed. It will provide legal assurance to return within the next seven years.

Originally, the plan was for residents to move into the new housing immediately, therefore enabling residents to move only once. However, as explained in the covering letter, rapid rehousing of residents has meant that the estate has become undesirable from a community safety perspective. As a result, the deadline for rehousing all residents has been updated to September 2009 to minimise the potential for crime and antisocial behaviour. As the new housing has not yet been completed in accordance with this new deadline, residents will need to move twice if they wish to return into the new housing within the Elephant and Castle area. All secure tenants who wish to return to the area will be entitled to the legal right to return.

Even if you sign the right to return you are under no obligation to return should your situation or preferences change and you find suitable accommodation elsewhere.

1.2 Where will the new properties be situated?

The new housing will be situated across the regenerated Elephant and Castle area. The map attached outlines in red the area where the housing will be developed. The Council will make an offer of one property to you within this area. However, if you choose to dispute this offer you will have the right to appeal, as per the Lettings policy.

1.3 How will the Council know and consider my housing needs?

The Case management team have been working closely with residents to ensure that they find suitable accommodation to move into. Taking this into consideration, when the new builds are ready, the Council will allocate properties to each household which will include any of these housing requirements and site preferences. These would have been initially recognised and recorded during the referencing process. However, the Council may contact you at the time the new properties are available, to re-confirm your housing requirements and any reasonable aspirations.

As stated in the legal undertaking, tenants will be informed of the proposed method of allocation.

1.4 Why are residents given 7 years to exercise the right to return but the Council has the right to defer the allocation of new property?

The Council reserves the right to defer the allocation of new property only in the event that there is an insufficient supply of new property appropriate to tenant's needs available within the 7 year timescale.

Residents are given 7 years to return to the Elephant and Castle area if new housing is available for them. This gives enough time for residents to decide whether they would like to stay in the area they have already moved into, or move back into the Elephant and Castle area.

1.5 How will I know when the new properties are available once I have made my first move?

The Council will keep a record of your new address to ensure that contact can be made with you when the new builds are ready to move into.

1.6 When will the new homes be available?

Subject to planning consents being granted we anticipate that schemes will start on site during 2009 and complete during 2010/11. The Council expects all new schemes to become ready within the next seven years.

1.7 Will the extra-bedroom policy be available in the new social housing?

Residents who have utilised the extra bedroom policy will still be entitled to this when they are offered a new property in the Elephant and Castle area. The Legal right to return will encompass this preference and ensure the extra bedroom is offered to those who are entitled to it.

1.8 Will I be entitled to an additional home-loss payment if I make a second move back into the Elephant and Castle area?

Residents returning to the Elephant and Castle area within the next 7 years will be entitled to a home loss and disturbance payment. This will cover the further disturbance costs you entail from making the second move.

2. Your New Tenancy

2.1 Who will be my landlord?

If you choose to exercise your right to return you will become a tenant of the respective housing association. Tenancy management issues, repairs and rent collection will be undertaken by them and not the council.

2.2 What type of tenancy will I have?

Housing Associations issue Assured Tenancies and the housing association cannot evict you without reason and must apply to court to do so, as is the case with Secure council tenancies. You should speak with the relevant housing associations for further information.

2.3 How to I express an interest in a particular development?

The Heygate re-housing programme outlines each development, its location and how many properties they contain. The council will be contacted by the housing association prior to the completion of the development and households on our right to return list will be invited to an open day. If, after attending the open day, you wish to be considered for that property you must provide your details to the member of council staff in attendance. If you cannot attend the open day you can still express an interest by contacting the council on one of the numbers listed below.

2.4 How does an expression of interest become an acceptance?

Once the open day has closed the list of households who expressed an interest will be put in order, according to the time they originally left the Heygate. Those who left first will be offered the property first. If there is greater demand that there are properties, those who are unsuccessful will be able to express an interest in the next development.

2.5 What if I express an interest and then change my mind?

This may not be a problem if you tell us very soon after expressing your interest. If however you have been nominated to the Housing Association then the Council is within their rights to remove you from the list. Each household is allowed one nomination only.

2.6 Can everyone be re-housed?

Whilst the council cannot guarantee that every household will get their first choice for accommodation, there are more properties than there are households on our right to return list so everyone will have the opportunity to move back to the Elephant and Castle area under right to return.

2.7 Who can I contact for further information?

London Borough of Southwark:

Lettings Team 0207 525 2948 / 0207 525 0723

Elephant & Castle Regeneration Team 0207 525 4954

Housing providers

London & Quadrant Housing Association

www.lqgroup.org.uk

0800 015 6536

Wandle HA

www.wandle.com

0800 731 2030

Affinity Sutton HA