Housing Associations

Some council or Housing Association tenants on our Hampshire Home Choice list may be offered a Housing Association property instead of a Council home.

The City Council works in partnership with 4 local housing associations to maintain the Joint Housing Register

The Partners:

A2 Dominion 33 Staple Gardens
Winchester
SO23 8SR		 Tel: 01962 840 061
Hampshire Voluntary Housing Society
Penny Farthing House
3 Chesil Street
Winchester
SO23 OHU		 Tel: 01962 833300
HydeMartlet 63 St Marys Street
St Marys
Southampton
SO14 1NU		 Tel: 02380 836800
Swaythling Housing Society Herbert Collins House
Wide Lane
Swaythling
SO18 2HZ

02380 584 661
02380 584 662

Housing Associations are 'Registered Social Landlords' not private landlords. They provide housing in a very similar way to the Council and are non-profit making. They are run by Committees, who are unpaid, and managed by paid, professional housing officers. People who rent a Housing Association property must meet their rules and conditions of tenancy. The Housing Association will carry out most repairs.

Housing Associations offer "assured tenancies" which offer security similar to a Council tenancy. There is a special Tenants Charter which protects tenants' rights.

Housing Association rents tend to be higher than Council rents. But, many of their properties are a lot newer than Council properties. Also, the Government has recently announced that Council and RSL rents must be brought into line over the next 10 years. The rent is very reasonable compared to the cost of renting a similar home privately. People living on a low incomes may qualify for housing benefit.

In certain cases Housing Association tenants may be able to buy their home. All tenants have the right to buy if the property is part of a Housing Association Scheme built with Housing Corporation grant since April 1997.

Can Tenants Transfer to a Council Property?

Housing Association tenants can apply to their Association for a transfer, in the same way as Council tenants. They are dealt with in the same way as our own tenants.