As Burnley's largest landlord we have a wealth of experience in providing comfortable secure homes for all kinds of people. We have a great range of homes available; in fact we have something for everyone.
We have 1-bedroom flats, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom bungalows plus 2, 3, 4 and some 5 bedroom houses.
Our lettings policy is called Choice Based Lettings.
This system helps you to choose what home you would like in an easier and more convenient way. You can now let us know what home you think is most suitable for you, your family and your needs.
There are no lengthy waiting lists and no more allocation of points. There are no registration fees or deposits involved so it costs nothing to join Calico Homes 4 U.
We are the largest landlord in the Burnley & Padiham area with around 4600 homes for rent. We are a social landlord, which means we provide affordable housing for people who need it.
We have a commitment to involving our tenants in making decisions and we aim to make
our communities better places to live and work.
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What should I do if I am, or are about to become, homeless?
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As well as registering with Calico HOMES 4 U you need to contact your own local council's housing options department as soon as possible.
They will investigate your homeless application to determine whether they have a duty to re house you under homelessness legislation. They will be able to offer you advice and assistance,
and in some circumstances, may be able to offer temporary accommodation whilst your homeless application is investigated.
If you are found to be unintentionally homeless with priority need, and live in the Burnley or Padiham area, the local council may instruct us to place you in the priority or "red" band.
Registrations are considered from anyone over 16 years of age.
You need to complete a Calico HOMES 4 U registration form.
You can do this on-line, or you can phone us on 0800 169 2407 to obtain a registration form.
The questions asked on the registration form will help us to work out your level of housing need under the banding system.
Please make sure that you answer each question carefully or the registration of your application may be delayed.
If you need help to complete the form please contact us on 0800 169 2407 and we will be pleased to assist. Please note, if
you complete the on-line registration you may be asked to provide us with some extra information when we receive your application.
If you are over 16 years old and you are eligible to apply, your registration will be accepted subject to certain checks and, in some cases, assessments.
In certain circumstances, you may be suspended from expressing interest in available properties.
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In what circumstances can my application be suspended?
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All applications received are subject to reference checks, if on completion of these checks, it is found that the applicant or anyone named on the application has a history of any of the following, then your application may be suspended:
- Transfer Request
Membership applications from existing Calico tenants will be suspended if their current tenancy has been held for less than 12 months or if you have any outstanding rent arrears.
- Members under 18 years of age
Applications from those aged under 18 years of age will only be accepted, if after a support assessment, a support package is available to ensure that you are able successfully sustain your tenancy.
- Rent Arrears
- Current Tenancy
If you have outstanding rent arrears with your current landlord, your application will be rejected unless you have been accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need.
No offer of a home will be made unless you can provide evidence that the repayment plan is being adhered to.
- Former Tenancy Arrears
Your application will be rejected if you have arrears with a former landlord in excess of £250, unless you have been accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need.
If your arrears are less than £250 you must provide evidence to demonstrate that you have maintained a repayment agreement to reduce the arrears.
Those applicants accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need will be accepted if the amount of arrears owed is less than £400 and a weekly repayment agreement is in place.
- Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)
You will be suspended from the membership list if:
- You or any member of your family or visitors to your home have previously been evicted for ASB
- An injunction or anti social behaviour order (ASBO) has been successfully obtained
- You have been responsible for any action that would justify obtaining a possession order.
If the ASB occurred more than 2 years prior to your membership and there is evidence that you have conducted a satisfactory tenancy or can provide a satisfactory character reference you may still be eligible to apply.
- High Risk Offenders
Applicants will be assessed on their own merits before any decision is made.
- Vulnerable Customers - Ability to Sustain Tenancy
Calico will work with other agencies to arrange appropriate support but your application may be suspended if you are unable to meet the requirements of the tenancy agreement without additional support and:
- Despite every effort Calico has been unable to ensure appropriate support
- The level of support required would seriously undermine Calico's ability to support other residents in the same scheme or neighbourhood.
- Period of Suspension
Applications that are suspended, for any of the above reasons, may reapply 12 months after the date of suspension.
- Appeals
Appeals against suspension must be made in writing, within 28 days, with the reasons why you believe you are eligible to be registered.
Appeals submitted by a third party on your behalf will be accepted.
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In what circumstances can my application be removed from the Calico HOMES 4Uregister?
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Your application can be removed from the register, other than at your own request, if:
- If you fail to complete and return a review request that is sent to you
- You deliberately provide misleading or inaccurate information on your application form
- You are made an offer of accommodation after providing false or misleading information. The offer will also be withdrawn.
If your application is cancelled, other than at your own request, you can request a review of the decision.
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What happens when my registration form is received?
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Your completed registration form will be used to assess your level of housing need. Calico HOMES 4 U use a banding and registration date system to do this.
We will carry out an initial assessment of your application and inform you in writing, of the result of your assessment, subject to relevant checks.
If you have not answered all of the questions, or you do not provide additional documents that are requested, for example, proof of pregnancy, the assessment of your registration may be delayed.
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What are priority bands and how do I know which one will apply to me?
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We will assess applicants according to their level of housing need and place each applicant in the GREEN band.
The RED band covers applicants in the greatest need who are considered to have an urgent need to move as a result of statutory requirements or serious medical/welfare needs.
Time limits are applied in certain circumstances for RED band priority. If you are a homeless applicant living in the Burnley area your banding will be reviewed by Burnley Borough Council after 12 weeks. If you have been awarded RED band status due to welfare/medical circumstances Calico will review after 12 weeks.
In considering whether or not your red band status should be extended, we will take into account the number of suitable properties that have been advertised and whether you have expressed interest in them will be given.
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Why has my banding been reduced or demoted?
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You will lose your RED band status if:
- Burnley Borough Council instruct us to remove it
- Your circumstances change, for instance you secure accommodation elsewhere
- Your medical/welfare circumstances are reassessed and are found to be no longer urgent
You will still be able to express an interest in a property, but you will have less priority than previously.
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How does the registration date work with the banding?
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The registration date is the date on which your application form is received. If, following assessment, you are awarded red band status; the registration date will change to the date the award was made. If the red band is removed the date will revert to your original date of application.
All properties will be advertised except when we need to temporarily move one of our current tenants whilst major works are carried out in their own property or where an offer must be made to meet a statutory housing duty.
- Properties are advertised on a weekly basis, from Wednesday morning until Tuesday evening at 5pm, in our Head Office reception, and on our website at www.calicohousing.co.uk or you can telephone & check which properties are available by calling 0800 169 2407.
- Once your membership has been confirmed you can express an interest in up to 3 properties each week.
- Each property advertised will have lettings criteria attached to it; this indicates the type of applicant we are looking for. If you do not meet the criteria exactly, you can still express an interest in the property but priority will be given to those applicants who match the criteria most closely.
If you are interested in housing for older people, you must have undergone an assessment of your needs before you register your interest in this type of property. This is to ensure that you require the extra support offered.
- At the end of the advertising cycle, the member who most closely meets the criteria, is in highest housing need and has been registered on our membership list the longest period of time will be invited to view the property.
- If the property is refused then the next highest ranked customer will be invited to view and so on until the property is accepted.
- Properties are advertised in our head office reception at Centenary Court (just next to the Bus Station) and on the website www.calicohousing.co.uk . These properties can change on a daily basis and are advertised until they are accepted; on a first come, first served basis.
- If you wish to express an interest in an Express property you must speak to one of our Homes Advisors. They will register your interest and if you are the first person to register your interest, they will make you an appointment to view the property.
You will be offered the property, if you meet the criteria, regardless of banding or length of time on the membership list - this is the quickest route to your new home.
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How will I know which properties are available?
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Properties that are due to become vacant will be advertised on a weekly cycle in
our head office and on our website www.calicohousing.co.uk
The adverts will tell you the location, size, rent and special features of the property. It will also tell you the criteria and any age restrictions.
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What should I do if I am interested in a property?
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If you are interested in an advertised property and you meet the eligibility
criteria, you need to register your interest by the advertised closing date.
You can do this via the website, by telephoning 0800 1692407 or
by visiting our head office at Centenary Court, Burnley. You will need to
have the property number and your membership number ready. If you need help to
register your interest please let us know.
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How many properties can I express an interest in?
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You can register your interest in up to 3 properties in each advertising cycle. If you change your mind during the cycle, you can move your interest to a different property.
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How do Calico decide who is offered the property?
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Once the closing date is reached short listing will take place.
Priority will be given to red banded applicants - where there are more than one, priority will then be given to the applicant who has had red band status the longest.
If there are no red banded applicants, then the longest registered green banded applicant will be short listed. The property will be offered to the longest registered and if refused will then be offered to the next longest registered and so on
All results will be displayed on our website following the short listing date.
Your Neighbourhood Officer will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to view the property.
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What happens if I want to refuse the property?
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If you wish to refuse the offer, either when the initial offer is made or after the viewing, you should inform us immediately. The property can then be offered to the next applicant on the list. NB - If you are a red banded applicant a refusal may result in a review of your status.
If you wish to accept the offer we will arrange an appointment for you to sign for your Tenancy Agreement. We will explain the conditions, rights and obligations of your tenancy when you sign for your tenancy. Once you have accepted and signed the tenancy agreement, you will be removed from the Calico HOMES 4 U register.
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How will I find out what has happened to advertised properties?
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We will publish information about properties that have been let in the weekly advertising cycle.
The information will include the type of property, the number of applicants who registered an interest and the band and registration date of the successful applicant.
This information will give you an indication of how long you are likely to have to wait in particular areas.
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Who do I contact for further advice or information?
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If you have any questions or require housing advice or assistance you should contact Calico HOMES 4 U on 0800 169 2407.
You can appeal against a decision that you disagree with if :
- Your application has been rejected for any reason
- Your banding status has been reduced
- A request for priority banding has been refused
To make an appeal you must make your request in writing, with supporting evidence, within 28 working days of receiving notification. Your letter should be addressed to Martin Sample, Head of Housing, c/o Calico Housing, Centenary Court, Croft Street, Burnley BB11 2ED. You will receive a written response within 10 working days of receipt, accepting or rejecting the appeal. There is no further right of appeal.
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