Mid Market Rent Frequently Asked Questions

Mid Market Rent Frequently Asked Questions
Partick Works Ltd - MidMarketRent@partickha.org.uk

This leaflet should give you a general overview of Mid Market Rent.

If your question is not answered here, please call, or email us 0141 357 3773 or
MidMarketRent@partickha.org.uk and we will do our best to help you.

What is Mid Market Rent?
Mid Market Rent is a scheme to help working households on modest incomes to access
high quality affordable rented accommodation.

Who is it for?
Mid Market Rent, provided by Partick Works Ltd , aims to help people who have difficulty
accessing social rented housing, buying their own home, or renting privately. To qualify
you must be employed, or have an offer of employment and have a gross annual
household income between £22,800 and £40,000

What type of agreement will I have?
You will be issued with a Short Assured Tenancy Agreement, which is similar to the
tenancy agreement provided for private rented housing. The agreement will be in the
name of Partick Works Ltd which is a subsidiary of Partick Housing Association.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, which governs Short Assured tenancies, states that
the tenancy must run for a minimum period of 6 months. After the initial 6 months have
elapsed the tenancy will continue on a monthly basis thereafter.

More detailed information on Short Assured Tenancy Agreements will be issued to you
by our Housing Team as part of the allocation process. The Shelter website also
contains useful information on Short Assured Tenancies http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/

Will I have to pay a deposit?
A deposit of one month’s rent will be required prior to taking entry. This is a security
deposit and will be retained to meet the costs of any damage/dilapidation caused to the
property by the tenant or for any unpaid rent after the property has been vacated. The
Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 made provision for the implementation of a Tenancy
Deposit Scheme in Scotland and in March 2011 The Tenancy Deposit Schemes
(Scotland) Regulations 2011 came into force which places a duty on landlords, who
receive a deposit in connection with a tenancy, to protect this deposit with an
independent third party. From 2 July 2012 landlords are required by law to protect this
deposit by transferring the funds to the Approved Scheme.

Will my deposit be returned?
At the end of the tenancy, you will need to agree with us how the deposit should be
allocated. Our Tenancy Deposit Scheme provider will then repay the deposit in
accordance with the agreement unless there is a dispute between the parties over the
deposit allocation.

If there is a dispute, the Scheme provider will ask for evidence from all parties
as to how they feel the deposit should be allocated. It will then carry out an adjudication
process and issue a draft report for review by all involved. Once comments have been
received then there will be a final decision and the Scheme will pay out the deposit in
accordance with that decision. This means that there will be delays in landlords and
tenants getting their deposits back, particularly if there is a dispute.

How is my rent set?
The rent you pay will be approximately 33% higher than that for a comparable social
rented property, but lower than a privately rented home.

When will my rent increase?
Your rent will normally be reviewed each year and any increase will generally take effect
from 1 September.

Can I buy my property?
You won’t have an opportunity to purchase your Mid Market Rent flat.

Can I decorate my property?
We have finished all properties so that you have no need to decorate. We will not allow
you to paint, wall paper or change the flooring. You can put pictures on the walls, hang
your own curtains, and accessorise the flat as you wish.

Can I choose my white goods/floor coverings?
The flats have been fitted with ‘A’ rated energy efficient graphite Hotpoint whitegoods
including a tall fridge freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, oven, ceramic hob, cooker
hood, and shower.
Flooring is provided throughout the flats including carpet in living room and bedrooms,
wood effect vinyl in the hall and kitchen, and vinyl in the bathroom.
Bedroom windows have been fitted with light blackout fabric roller blinds, whilst kitchens
and smaller livingroom windows with fabric roller blinds. Our properties have a large
livingroom picture window where we’ve fitted a curtain pole for you to dress as you wish.

Who is responsible for maintaining the property?
Partick Works Ltd , as landlord of your property, are responsible for the ongoing
maintenance.
Full details of the respective repairs responsibilities (yours and ours) will be issued to
you as part of the allocation process.

If my financial situation changes what should I do?
If there are any changes to your financial situation which mean you will have difficulty
paying your rent, you must contact Partick Housing Association as soon as possible and
they will talk you through what your options are, you may be eligible to receive Housing
Benefit from the local authority.

What are the design specifications for Mid Market Rent?
Mid Market Rent properties will normally be designed to the same high quality
specification as our housing for sale. Although additional items are included including
white goods or floor coverings, our Mid Market Rent properties will be let on an
unfurnished basis.

Will I be allowed to keep a pet?
You must apply for permission to keep a pet.

Can I view my property before signing my tenancy agreement?
Yes you will have the chance to view your property before signing any agreement. We
will invite you to a viewing when your application has been assessed.

How do I apply?
All the Mid Market Rent flats are currently let. Any vacancies will be advertised on the
website.

How do we substantiate your Application?

In order to assess your application we need evidence of your household income, below is
our list of acceptable evidence:

       Wages – Gross wage used in calculation1
        Monthly             last 3 months payslips
        Fortnightly         last 6 payslips
        Weekly              last 13 weeks payslips
        P60                 for the previous tax year

        If pay is verified by bank statements2 then applicants will be asked to provide details
        of their gross income to ensure that all applicants are assessed on the same criteria

       Not in Employment but have Offer of Employment
        Copy of offer letter from new employer which confirms gross starting salary.

       Tax Credit
        HMRC Tax credit award letter or 3 current and consecutive bank statements showing
        payments made to applicant.

       Child Benefit
        Child Benefit payment award.

       Child Tax Credit
        HMRC Tax credit award letter or 3 current and consecutive bank statements showing
        payments made to applicant

       Self Employed Earnings
        Applicants will be expected to provide audited accounts for the previous year or
        comprehensive accounts for year to date if the business has just recently started
        operating

       Child Maintenance Payments
        3 current and consecutive bank statements

1
 Payslips must show:                                   Bank Statements must show:
Applicant’s name                                       Applicant’s name and address
Employer’s name
Pay dates/pay period
Gross pay/Net pay
2
  If you are unable to provide salary information we can also accept evidence of your employment
from a copy bank statement, along with a copy of your contract or a letter from your employer
confirming current employment and gross salary. This must be on company letterhead paper and
signed.

   Bonuses/Commission
        Monthly last 3 months payslips
        Fortnightly last 6 pay slips
        Weekly last 13 weeks payslips
        Where amounts vary we will use the lowest value as primary income, not an average
        of the amounts for assessing affordability

       Overtime/Shift Allowances
        Monthly last 3 months payslips
        Fortnightly last 6 pay slips
        Weekly last 13 weeks payslips
        Where amounts vary we will use the lowest value as primary income not an average
        of the amounts for assessing affordability

       Pensions
        Monthly 3 pension statements
        Fortnightly 6 pension statements
        Weekly 13 pension statements
        Annual award letter current year

        If pension is verified by bank statements then applicants will be asked to provide
        details of their gross income to ensure that all applicants are assessed on the same
        criteria3

       Shareholder Profits
        Dividend Statement

       Other Benefits
        MMR is aimed at primarily at economically active households. Where somebody in a
        household applying is not working exceptions can be made in appropriate
        circumstances, e. g. where the household includes a person with a disability and
        where current housing costs are unaffordable e. g. in the private rented sector. In
        these cases non-working benefits will be taken onto account in assessing eligibility.

3
  If you are unable to provide pension statement information we can also accept evidence of your pension
from a copy bank statement, along with a letter from your pension provider confirming gross pension income.
This must be on company letterhead paper and signed.

Mid Market Rent Accommodation Available
0141 357 3773 or MidMarketRent@partickha.org.uk

                                                                                             Rent
Level        Size       Area           Flat            Address                  Flat Plan    from
  G      1 BEDROOM     59.6m²        Flat 0/4      1 Centurion Way    G3 8NT        6       £487.41
  G      1 BEDROOM     68.1m²        Flat 0/1      1 Centurion Way    G3 8NT        3       £487.41
  1      1 BEDROOM     59.6m²        Flat 1/4      1 Centurion Way    G3 8NT        6       £487.41
  3      1 BEDROOM     59.6m²        Flat 3/4      1 Centurion Way    G3 8NT        6       £487.41

Please note we don’t have any properties available to let with a balcony or roof terrace.

Mid Market Rent – Rents & Income
0141 357 3773 or MidMarketRent@partickha.org.uk

Allocations will be based on an applicant’s household income with priority given in the first instance
to PHA tenants and their dependants. Flats will be fitted will all white goods, flooring and window
coverings.
Income requirements
                Rents 2013/14       Council tax Bandings          Min / Max Household Gross Income
                                    (10 of 12 months)
1 bedroom         From £472      D - £160.66 per month      £22,175 per year     £40,000 per year
                  per month

Rents will be subject to yearly increases each September.

All service charges will be in addition to the rent, these costs aren’t confirmed but are expected to
be between £20-£25 per month and will include charges for close cleaning, Lift maintenance,
landscaping, white good servicing etc. Gross household incomes include total earnings and tax
credits, child benefit, pension payments, etc. Applicants will need to provide evidence of their
income.
Priority groups
Priority will be given to the following groups in order:

    1. Partick Housing Association Tenants or Dependants
    2. Current Tenants of other Housing Associations
    3. Applicants living in Private Rented Accommodation or with friends/family

Applications will not be accepted from current owner occupiers or equity holders.

Allocations
No. occupants            Min               Max
1 bedroom                1 person          2 people
2 bedroom                2 people          4 people
3 bedroom                3 people          6 people

Applicants can apply for a flat which is 2 bed spaces larger than required. Where an applicant has
shared custody of children, the child can be considered a full occupant. We cannot count an unborn
child as part of the household until the pregnancy is past 20 weeks. Should an applicant meet the
income requirement flats will be allocated on a first come basis within the priority groups.

The tenancy will be a Short Assured Tenancy Agreement with Partick Works Ltd Ltd Applicants
should be aware they are not a Housing Association Tenant.