How to apply for Housing
You may apply by telephoning, visiting or writing to our Aston office. Referrals from agencies are also considered, these include:
- Social Services
- Probation service
- Citizens Advise Bureau
- Advice and Legal Aid Centres
- Other community- based organisations
We also have nomination agreements with the Local Authorities, which normally means 50% of available dwellings are offered to persons nominated by them. In some cases we have agreed a higher percentage for particular areas or specific schemes. Existing tenants of Mercian may also apply for a transfer.
For more information about transfers and exchanges, click here.
Who is not eligible?
- Applicants aged under 18 years old
- Asylum seekers and refugees who have not been given leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office.
- Owner-occupiers are not generally admitted to our waiting list unless there are special circumstances e.g. elderly applicants requiring sheltered accommodation.
- Owner-occupiers applying for general purpose housing should not have capital/equity exceeding £50,000.
- Current tenants of the Local Authorities and Housing Associations will not be accepted unless they have been referred through the correct nomination procedure.
- People who have had a previous tenancy with another Local Authority or Housing Association and have left owing rent arrears.
- People who have had a previous tenancy with Mercian, another Local Authority or Housing Association and either they or a member of their household have committed a serious breach of their tenancy by:
- causing a nuisance, annoyance or harassment to their neighbours
- allowed their property to be used for illegal or immoral purposes
- physically or verbally assaulted their landlord or their agents and contractors.
What to do when you receive your application form
- Application forms should be completed giving as much detail as possible and where possible include supporting evidence to confirm circumstances, such as medical report, notice to vacate.
- Once completed the form should be sent to one of Mercian's offices.
The next stage
When received, the application form is assessed against our housing needs points scheme. If further information (or supporting documentation) is required to carry out an accurate assessment, we will write to you.
Your application may be rejected if:
- you have little or no housing need
- you are requesting property in an area where we have very few available homes. If this happens you will be notified in writing and advised of the appeal procedure.
- Following the initial assessment, if you have a large number of housing points you will be interviewed to check the information you have provided.
- If you are frail/elderly or disabled, this interview will be carried out in your own home.
- Following the interview, we will write to you confirming:
- that your application has been accepted
- the amount of housing points awarded
- the area and type of property that you will be considered for - To ensure the waiting list is kept accurate and up to date, Mercian will send a written reminder to you every six months to review your application. Failure to respond to this letter will result in your application being cancelled.
- If a change in your circumstances occurs whilst on the waiting list you should advise us so that your application can be re-assessed.
- Should the change in circumstances mean a reduction in housing points it may be necessary to remove you from the waiting list and cancel your application.