Cosmopolitan Hosuing Association Click here to decrease the text size Click here to decrease the text size
Cosmopolitan Housing Association
Find a home : Frequently asked questions

 RENTED PROPERTY

  • WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRANSFER AND AN EXCHANGE?
If you are a current Cosmopolitan resident, a transfer is were you can apply to move to another Cosmopolitan home.  A mutual exchange is were you can exchange homes with another Cosmopolitan resident or a resident of a local authority or other housing association.  We facilitate the exchange process in accordance with our policies.  This includes making sure that the exchange will not lead to overcrowding and other problems.  All Cosmopolitan offices keep a list of exchange properties, and your are welcome to get in touch to see what might suit you.  You can also visit the offices of most other local authority or other housing associations to ask to see their exchange lists, again the processes are similar to Cosmopolitans.
  • AM I ALLOWED TO TAKE IN A LODGER?
Yes, as long as you do not cause overcrowding, and our written permission has been obtained.  A lodger would not have exclusive use of part of your home, but would live as part of your household and possibly share meals.
  • CAN I SUBLET PART OF MY HOME?
Yes, unless this would cause overcrowding, or if we intended to carry out improvement works which would affect the part to be occupied by the sub-tenant.  You must obtain written permission from us.  If you are under-occupying your home (eg, it is too large for you), you may prefer to move to a smaller home.
  • CAN I SIGN OVER MY TENANCY TO SOMEONE ELSE?
Signing over a tenancy from one named tenant to another person is called assignment.  We do not usually grant permission to residents to assign their tenancy to someone else.  The only exceptions are assignment by way of a mutual exchange or under a Court Order in the case of a relationship breakdown.  In certain other cases, we may grant you permission to assign your tenancy.  Please contact your Tenancy Management Officer for futher details about this.
  • WHAT TYPE OF TENANCY DO I HAVE?
We grant three types of tenancies: a Secure Tenancy, an Assured Tenancy and an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.  Your Tenancy Agreement covers the legal terms and condition of your tenancy in detail. 
  • Secure Tenancies  -  Tenancies starting before 15  January 1989 are known as Secure Tenancies.  Cosmopolitan residents with this type of tenancy who transfer to another Cosmopolitan home remain secure tenants.  This also applies to tenants of the association who mutually exhanged with another secure tenant.  Secure tenants have certain rights under the Housing Act (1985).  One of the most important rights is that you cannot be evicted from your home without a court order, and that before this happens, we must have served an apporpriate Notice of Intent to Seek Possession and give the reasons for serving it.  This right and others are detailed in your Tenancy Agreement.
  • Assured Tenancies  -  Tenancies starting after 15 January 1989 (and up until 2006) are Assured Tenancies.  These tenancies were established by the Housing Act (1988) and are now the major form of tenancy.  Assured tenants have similar rights and security of tenure to Secure tenants.  However, there are some differences in the grounds on which we can take legal action to repossess your home.  These are listed in your Tenancy Agreement.  Again, you cannot be evicted from your home without a court order.
  • Assured Shorthold Tenancies  -  These tenancies were established by the Housing Act (1988) and are now used for all new Cosmopolitan Tenancies with effect from 2006.  An Assured Shorthold Tenancy will last for a period of 12 months, if there have been no problems with the way you have conducted your tenancy during this period then it will automatically become an Assured Tenancy.
  • WHAT IS A JOINT TENANCY?
If you have been given a Joint Tenancy with your partner, you will each have equal rights over the Tenancy and will both be responsible for meeting the obligations involved, such as paying the rent regularly.
Joint or Sole Tenancies are granted according to the information received from the nomminating Local Authority or referral agency.
  • HOW CAN I CHANGE MY TENANCY?

Changing a Joint Tenancy Into A Sole Tenancy   -  Your first step is to seek advice from your Tenancy Management Officer.  If both joint tenants are in agreement, then the process is quite straightforward and you will be asked to come into your local office to sign an Assignment Deed.  However, if both of you are not in agreement and only one wishes to give up the tenancy, you must seek independant legal advice.

Changing A Sole Tenancy Into A Joint Tenancy  -  You will need to prove that your partner has lived with you for at least a year.  We will then decide whether we can grant a Joint Tenancy.  A new Joint Tenancy will not be granted if there are any outstanding rent arrears.  You should contact your Tenancy Management Officer as a first step.

Changing Your Name  -  You should notify your Tenancy Management Officer in writing and attach a copy of any relevant documents, e.g. marriage certificate or deed poll certificate.

Change In Relationship Circumstances  -  If your relationship with your partner breaks down and you can no longer live together, you may become involved in a dispute about which of you will remain in the property.  If this happens, you should seek independant legal advice regarding your occupancy rights.  The laws surrounding this matter are complex but you should note that in the case of divorce or where there are children involved, sometimes the Courts can decide who keeps the tenancy.  In such cases it is not always the tenant but the tenant's spouse who is awarded the tenancy.  You should contact your Tenancy Management Officer if there are to be changes in your circumstances. 

  • HOW DO I REPORT INFESTATION?
Cosmopolitan does not carry out works to remove infestations, however your Local Authority does.  Below you will find contact information on who to contact to report infestation of mice, rats, ants, wasps, bees and other infestation problems.
 
Liverpool City Council
Pest Control
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street, L2 2DH        Tel: 0151 233 3001   
 
Sefton Council
Bootle One Stop Shop
324-342 Stanley Road
Bootle, L20 6ET               Tel: 0845 140 0845
 
Halton Borough Council
Environmental Health
Rutland House
Halton Lea
Runcorn, WA7 2QW           Tel: 0151 907 8300
 
Wirral Borough Council
Pest Control
Department of Regeneration
Town Hall
Brighton Street
Wallasey, CH44 8ED         Tel:  0151 606 2020
 
St Helens Council
Contact Centre
Wesley House
Corporation Street
St Helens WA10 1HF        Tel:  01744 456338
 
Knowsley Borough Council
Directorate of Neighbourhood Delivery
Stretton Way
Huyton
Knowlsey  L36 6JF           Tel:  0151 443 2400
 
West Lancs District Council
Pest Control Service
Westec House
Derby Street
Ormskirk  L39 2DQ
 
SUPPORTED PROPERTY
  • HOW CAN I APPLY FOR SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION?
The Association owns a number of supported scheme's which are managed by Agents on behalf of the Association.  If you are interested in being rehoused within a supported scheme you can either speak to your local social services department and request advice on rehousing options or you can contact our Managing Agents direct for further information on accessing their waiting lists.  All our Managing Agents contact details can be located on our website under - 'Tenant Zone - Support Agents' 
  • WHERE DOES COSMOPOLITAN H.A. HAVE SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION?
Our supported schemes cover a number of different local authorities including:-
 
       Liverpool
       Wirral
       Halton
       Knowsley
       Sefton
       Manchester
       Hampshire 
  • IS SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION JUST FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE?
The Associations supported accommodation covers a number of different client groups including:-
 
       Adult Supported Living
       Mental Health
       Learning Difficulties
       16/24 year olds
       Adult Homeless
       Older People
       People with Autisim
  • CAN I RECEIVE SUPPORT IN MY HOME WITHOUT BEING REHOUSED INTO A SUPPORTED SCHEME

Cosmopolitan HA has access to a number of service providers who can assist with floating support while you continue to live in your home.  To find out if a service is available in your area please contact the Allocations and Support Team on 0151 224 0202  

SHELTERED HOUSING
  • HOW DO I APPLY FOR SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION
The Association has one sheltered scheme in Liverpool and four in Wirral.
 
The sheltered scheme in Liverpool is called Monkswell Place, Edgewell Drive and is situated in Liverpool 15.  Monkswell Place was developed in 2005 and consists of two bedroom apartments with on site staff available from Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, with a lifeline service available.
 
If you are interested in being rehoused in Monkswell Place then contact Access Liverpool on 0151 233 2150 to register onto the waiting list.  If you would like to speak to the onsite support staff at Monkswell Place please call 0151 722 1300.
 
The sheltered schemes we own in Wirral are:-
 
Vincent Harkins Day Centre
7 Cardigan Avenue
Birkenhead  CH41 4NH
 
Tel:  0151 647 2120
............................................
 
Rose Court
Parkfield Avenue
Birkenhead  CH41 4FG
 
Tel:  0151 666 1334
...........................................
 
Vincent Naughton Court
Rodney Street
Birkenhead  CH41 2ZA
 
Tel:  0151 647 6214
..........................................
 
John Wills House
28a Chatsworth Road
Birkenhead  CH42 1NY
 
Tel:  0151 645 8411
.........................................
 
Thomas Court
Grange Mount
Wirral  CH43 4XU
 
Tel:  0151 653 7941
.......................................
 
If you are interested in being rehoused in any of the above Wirral schemes please register via Wirral Homes by contacting:-
 
Wirralhomes
Department of Regeneration
Wallasey Town Hall
Brighton Street
Wallasey  CH44 8ED
 
Tel:  0151 691 8040
  • ARE THERE ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR LIVING IN SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION
In addition to the rent and service charges, the schemes charge a fee for the support service.
 
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for assistance with the charge via Supporting People.  If you would like advice on Supporting People funding then contact the relevant Local Authority you would like to be rehoused in for assistance.
  • ARE THERE SOCIAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHEMES?
Our sheltered scheme's have a variety of ways to get involved and interact with other residents and people from the wider community such as:
 
Coffee mornings
Bingo
Luncheon club
Seasonal parties
Hairdressing service
Language classes
 
To find out more information on events in our individual schemes please contact the schemes direct using the above telephone numbers.
 
SHARED OWNERSHIP
  • WHAT IS NEW BUILD OR SHARED OWNERSHIP
To many people, this scheme is known as Shared Ownership.  If you are eligible, you buy a share of a property, usually 50 or 75% with the developer keeping the other share.  You have the flexibility to buy more shares at any time, up to 100%.  this is known as staircasing.  You pay a small rent charge on the developer's share of the property, which is up to 3% of the remaining share in the property.  The idea is that the monthly mortgage and rent payments add up to less than a mortgage on the full value of the property.  In some cases it is also cheaper than renting in the given area.
  • WHO CAN APPLY?
To apply you must be eligible, and be able to afford the share you wish to purchase.
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
You must not be able to afford the property outright.
 
You need to have access to some savings and be able to secure a mortgage for the share you wish to purchase.  (We recommend seeing an independant financial advisor)
 
Eligable applicants include:
 
    All first time buyers
    A tenant or home owner living in a proposed clearance area
    Those on a housing waiting list or register of the Local Authority
    Tenants of a Registered Social Landlord who vacate their property upon completion
    Those living in rented accommodation, hostel, B&B or with family and friends
    The elderly who require accommodation suitable for their needs but cannot afford
    to buy an alternative property without assistance.
    A joint owner needing to move due to a relationship breakdown
    A home owner needing to move after being widowed
    A home owner needing to move due to social or medical reasons or overcrowding
    A home owner needing to move because they cannot meet their current housing costs.
    A shared ownership leaseholder requiring larger accommodation
  • CAN I AFFORD IT?

Buying a home is a decision which should not be taken lightly, and there are a number of costs which you should take into consideration before applying for home ownership. Click here for more details

We strongly recommend speaking to an Independant Financial Advisor about which mortgage product would best suit your circumstances.  They earn their commission from the mortgage lenders and the service is free of charge to you.  It is best to ensure that they are "whole of market", this means that they are not tied to any particular mortgage lender.  They will review your personal financial situation with you and make recommendations based on your incomings and outgoings.  They can help you with the mortgage application.
 
It is always best to appoint a solicitor who has been recommended to you if possible.  We do work with a number of solicitors who are familiar with our schemes.
 
Always ask for a quote for the services before formally appointing your solicitor.  It is best to get a few quotes first.
  • WHAT IS RENT-TO-HOMEBUY?
Rent-to-HomeBuy is designed for people who want to buy their own home, but are not ready yet.
 
It allows you to plan for becoming a homeowner, and means you can save some money whilst renting a new home.
 
Rent-to-HomeBuy could be for you if:
 
    You are unable to buy a home at the moment
    You would like to try a property out before you commit to buying
    You need to save up for a deposit
    You are unsure about buying in the current market
  • HOW DOES RENT-TO-HOMEBUY WORK?
You can rent the home for up to 5 years maximum, and the rent you pay will be about 80% of the normal market rent for the property. This allows you to begin saving to own your home.
 
When you decide to buy it will be through shared ownership, also known as NewBuild HomeBuy.  This means that you can buy shares in your property, and pay a reduced rent on the other share.  Eventually you can own 100%, when you are ready.
  •  AM I ELIGABLE?
Rent-to-HomeBuy is intended for people who want to buy their own home in the future, and can afford to pay rent.  See our WHO IS ELIGABLE? section for more details.
  • WHAT KIND OF PROPERTY IS AVAILABLE?
We have a range of properties available all over Merseyside.  They may be newly built or renovated, flats and houses.  Prices vary according to location.  Please contact us for an up to date list of what is available under Rent-to-HomeBuy.
  • AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS TO MY HOME?
The resident is normally responsible for carrying out all repairs to their own property.  The only exceptions to this are for new properties built by the Association which are still covered by the builder's guarantee (usually 12 months).  In addition, owners living in blocks of flats will contribute to a seperate fund for long-term repairs to their roof,doors, windows and external painting.
  • AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT PROPERTY INSURANCE?
No.  The Association has a block insurance on all our properties.  However, we strongly advise that residents take out insurance on their contents.  We would ask you to bear in mind that there is a £100 excess on any claim on our policy.
  • HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM FOR A REPAIR COVERED BY THE INSURANCE POLICY?
You should contact a member of The Home Ownership Team at Cosmopolitan Housing Group as soon as possible and obtain two estimates for the work involved.  Please do not authorise a contractor to proceed without approval from our insurers unless it is an emergency in which case only carry out works to make safe/secure.  Usually the resident pays the contractor for the work when this has been satisfactorily completed.  We will then submit a claim to the insurer on your behalf.  A cheque will subsequently be paid to the resident to cover the repair costs, less the £100 excess.
  • CAN I PURCHASE A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF MY PROPERTY?
Yes, normally you may purchase in 10% stages (see your individual lease for confirmation) providing you are able to do this with either cash payment or an addition to your mortgage.  Please contact The Home Ownership Team for further details. (Please note that some leases have restrictions on staircasing - refer to your lease for full details.)
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO SELL MY PROPERTY?

You can either sell your exisiting percentage or the full 100% (Please note that some leases have restrictions on staircasing - refer to your lease for full details).  You must inform The Home Ownership Team in writing of your intention to sell, together with details of the solicitor you will be using.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
© Cosmopolitan Housing Association - Exempt Charity under Charities Act 1960 and 1992
Registered with the Housing Corporation (LH1298) and the F.S.A. (19012R) a charitable Industrial and Provident Society
Part of the Cosmopolitan Housing Group - Website designed and co-managed by MELT creative studio.
Talk to us News & publications Equality & diversity Get involved Find a home Tenant zoneAbout us