Berneslai Homes new lettings service proves to be a success
Following the launch of Berneslai Homes new Homeseeker service on the 11th January, results from the first two weeks shows that customer interest has been very high.
The service aims to improve the way council homes are let in Barnsley. In the first week, 337 people expressed an interest for 24 advertised properties. In the second week this rose to 724 people expressing an interest for 36 properties. All properties from the first week have been offered to customers and are waiting confirmation.
The changes have been brought about because of changes in Government guidance and the old lettings policy was difficult for customers to understand. At present, including those tenants who want to transfer homes and those who want to become council tenants, there are about 6,700 applications for re-housing, yet there are only about 1,200 empty council properties a year.
Under the new scheme there will be just one re-housing list with five priority categories. Every Friday all new vacancies will be advertised in the Barnsley Chronicle Property Section, on Berneslai Homes Homeseeker website and in all Barnsley Connects Services Centres across the borough.
Applicants then have until noon on the following Tuesday to apply to be considered for up to three vacancies each week. After this time the properties will be then be let in priority order to the applicant who meets the requirements on the advert, who is in the highest priority category and who has been in this category the longest. Since the launch of the service the most popular method for customers to express interest in properties is via Berneslai Homes website and using the new automated telephone service.
Berneslai Homes Director of Housing Management Mark McGee adds, “We have received some very positive feedback from a diverse range of our customers who have told us that the new automated telephone service and website are easy and quick to use.”
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