AM Homefinder

Ashfield District Council is considering making changes to how vacant flats at Chatsworth Drive, Hucknall are let. 

An increase in anti-social behaviour in and around the flats means that action needs to be taken by agencies, including the Police and the Council's ASB Team. As part of this the proposal is to increase additional checks on prospective tenants. 

Details of the proposal can be found in the Letter sent to tenants. 

If you have any comments or concerns about the proposal, please email these to housingadmin@ashfield.gov.uk by 31st March 2025.

In January 2024, 34 new 2 and 3 bed houses will be made available to applicants on the Housing Register. A Local Lettings Policy will be used for the first lets, this will ensure we maintain a balanced and sustainable community. 

The following criteria will be applied 

• 50% of new homes will be let to applicants where at least one member of the household is in employment (min 16 hours and long-term contract) or who is making a community contribution*
• 2 bedroom houses –a maximum of 50% of vacancies will be let to families with 2 children.
• 3 bedroom houses –a maximum of 50% of vacancies will be let to families with 3 dependent children. Due to the size of the homes, families with more than 3 dependent children will not be considered as eligible.  

An applicant will not normally be considered if they or any other person included on their application

• has relevant unspent criminal convictions or
• has had enforcement action taken against them in respect of anti-social behaviour within the last 3 years or
• is unable to provide satisfactory references for accommodation they have resided in during the last 5 years.

 * Community contribution is defined as an applicant or household member who does voluntary work for at least ten hours per month in Sutton in Ashfield and has done so for at least six months continuously

2 of the properties have extra adaptations and will be let outside of the above criteria.

Ashfield DC is advertising new build council homes at Charlotte Gardens, Sutton in Ashfield. The site is located off Station Road. 

A Local Lettings Policy has been agreed to ensure we have a good mix of new tenants and that we are contributing towards sustainable communities in the area. The main requirements of the Policy are below. 

• 50% of new homes will be let to applicants where at least one member of the household is in employment (min 16 hours and long-term contract) or who is making a community contribution*
• 2 bedroom first floor flats – a maximum of 30% of vacancies will be let to families with 2 children.
• 2 bedroom houses –a maximum of 50% of vacancies will be let to families with 2 children.
• 3 bedroom houses –a maximum of 50% of vacancies will be let to families with 3 children. Due to the size of the homes, families with more than 3 children will not be considered as eligible.  

• An applicant will not normally be considered if they or any other person included on their application

• has relevant unspent criminal convictions or
• has had enforcement action taken against them in respect of anti-social behaviour within the last 3 years or
• is unable to provide satisfactory references for accommodation they have resided in during the last 5 years.

 * Community contribution is defined as an applicant or household member who does voluntary work for at least ten hours per month in Sutton in Ashfield and has done so for at least six months continuously.

When advertising the properties we will normally include one advert for each property type, but there will be a number of properties that will be offered from the one shortlist. 

If you are affected by the UK leaving the European Union (Brexit), you may need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.

You must secure your status otherwise you may be subject to immigration enforcement which may impact on your rights to live and work in the UK and to access services such as homelessness support and Council housing.

All EU citizens who wish to retain their rights to live and work in the UK will need to apply for the Settlement Scheme. Successful applicants will either get settled or pre-settled status depending on how long you have lived in the UK.

As part of the checks we conduct when an applicant joins the Housing Register, when they are made an offer of accommodation and if they seek assistance as homeless the Homefinder landlords will check to see if an applicant is eligible for help and to access the service.

The EU Settlement Scheme applications are now open. There is no fee for the Settlement Scheme application and the deadline for applying is 30th June 2021.

If you already have Indefinite Leave to Remain/Enter in the UK, you do NOT need to apply.