Sheltered accommodation
We have a range of sheltered housing which is available to rent when a vacancy occurs.
Contents
- Types of sheltered accommodation
- Apply for sheltered accommodation
- Is sheltered accommodation suitable for me?
- Pets
Types of sheltered accommodation
There are a number of sheltered accommodation sites in the district.
Council owned sheltered accommodation
We own a number of sheltered housing units, flats and bungalows.
Find council owned sheltered accommodation
Housing association owned sheltered accommodation
There are a number of retirement life communities and sheltered housing schemes managed by housing associations in the district.
Find housing association owned sheltered accommodation
Apply for sheltered accommodation
You can can apply for council and housing association-owned sheltered accommodation through our normal housing application process.
Is sheltered accommodation suitable for me?
The accommodation is intended for occupation usually by people aged 60 and above who are able to live independently. The support of a sheltered housing officer is available during working hours and there is the support of a 24 hours alarm call system.
Why sheltered housing
Persons in sheltered housing are considered to be like any other council tenants but have the additional support of living in a friendly and secure community environment whilst still having your own front door, privacy and independence.
Service levels
If the sheltered housing officer does not get a response from your home on the scheduled visit they are required to gain access using their master keys to ensure your welfare.
Communal facilities
All communal facilities are the responsibility of the sheltered housing officer.
These include:
- 24 hours alarm service for emergency support
- social activities
- residents group (where feasible)
- residents communal lounge
- communal gardens
- guest room, (for visitors)
- free laundry facilities
- lifts (where feasible)
- door entry system
- CCTV in communal areas
- smoke alarm system
Costs
If you are on a low income you may be able to get help with the rent.
The sheltered housing officer will advise you who to contact in our Housing Benefit Team.
All sheltered tenants are liable to pay a charge for the support given by the sheltered housing officers. However if a tenant is in receipt of Housing Benefit, some of this charge will be paid by Essex County Council. All tenants are also required to pay for the Intensive Housing Management service they receive from the sheltered housing officers. If a tenant is in receipt of full housing benefit then this charge will be covered by housing benefit.
In addition to the rent, each tenant is responsible for the payment of electricity and gas consumption within their flat ( where relevant) In addition sheltered tenants will have to pay their water charges (where relevant).These charges are not covered by housing benefit.
Some sheltered sites benefit from a communal TV licence for which the sheltered housing officer will collect the reduced licence fee each year.
Repairs
You should report any repairs to us. Your condition of tenancy booklet outlines the council's and your responsibilities.
Neighbours
The council is anxious that all tenants enjoy their homes, therefore co-operation is sought from all tenants to help ensure that this happens. It would be very helpful to be considerate regarding volume levels when using TV or radio sets.
Great care must be taken when using equipment, which may be likely to cause risk of fire or damage to the decoration or fabric of the premises. In the interests of safety, internal and communal passages must be kept free of obstructions. Accordingly mats or furniture cannot be allowed to be placed in communal passages.
Emergencies
In order for emergency access to a tenant's flat it is important that tenants do not affix any door bolts or locks to the premises additional to those already provided by the council. Also it is important to remove the key from the front door after locking. In the interests of the tenants, for emergency purposes only sheltered housing officers have master keys for all dwellings.
Tenants are requested to notify the sheltered housing officer if they are going to be away from home overnight or on holiday. This is so that fire regulations are complied with by the council.
Pets
The council does not object to you keeping a pet as long as it does not cause a nuisance to others. The council cannot assist you in looking after any pet so if you are unwell or away from the site, you must make your own arrangements for your pet.