How do I apply for a mutual exchange?

If you are suitably housed but would still like to move, you can swap your home using online mutual exchange service, HomeSwapper. The site lets you advertise your property and find someone under a different social landlord to swap with. As an Aspire Housing customer, your registration with HomeSwapper is free – once approved, you’ll be able to search and view matches.

Once you’ve found someone to exchange with;  you both need to complete a Mutual Exchange Form.

Send this to Aspire Housing, Kingsley, The Brampton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0QW for the attention of your neighbourhood officer.

Once received, the exchange can be considered and we’ll contact you to explain the next steps.

Can I mutual exchange?

Yes, if you are a tenant with a social landlord, you can register with HomeSwapper for a mutual exchange. To do this you will need:

  • To have been a tenant for 12 months or more
  • Have a clear rent account
  • Have no ongoing anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases

I’ve been offered an Aspire Housing property – what do I need to do?

Call us on 01782 635200 within 24 hours of receiving your offer. If we don’t hear from you within 24 hours, the property will be offered to another customer.

How long does it take before being offered an Aspire Housing property?

The length of time before you receive an offer can vary. Once you’ve registered and placed your bids, a shortlist is arranged in order of eligibility banding – you'll receive feedback on your position once the shortlist has been made to find out how your application is being considered.

What is a transfer?

If you have been an Aspire Housing tenant for 12 months or more, you may be able to request a move to another Aspire property through HomeHunt – this is known as a transfer.

How do I end my tenancy?

If you’d like to end your tenancy with us, you need to:

  • Give us 4 weeks notice
  • Complete a tenancy termination form. We will accept a letter as written notice, but we still ask you to fill in the form so that we have all of the information that we need.
  • Clear your rent account
  • Remove all furniture, carpets and personal items
  • Leave your home clean, tidy, safe and secure
  • Arrange for your post to be re-directed from the date that you plan to move out.

If you are a joint tenant, both tenants need to confirm the request in writing. If you are ending a tenancy for someone who has passed away you'll need to provide us with two weeks notice and a copy of the death certificate.

Can I get help with paying my rent?

Yes - if you are having difficulities in paying your rent, simply login to My account and send us a message. A member of our Money Advice team will be in touch with you. You can also seek advice from:

How do I apply for a garage?

Unfortunately, we are not currently allocating garages until further notice. If you would like more information regarding this, please contact our Customer Services through our Live Webchat service or call us on 01782 635200.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

What is a local connection?

A local connection is if you live, work or are related to someone in the Newcastle-under-Lyme area. It is one of the factors we take into consideration when reviewing your application for one of our properties.

What is a mutual exchange?

A mutual exchange is a way to move to a different property. You can transfer to a property under a different social landlord via HomeSwapper.

Why should I pay by Direct Debit?

Direct Debit is a really easy, practical and safe way to pay your rent:

  • Payments are made automatically and securely, so your rent is never forgotten, lost in the post, or delayed
  • It helps with budget planning as you know exactly how much is being paid and on what date
  • It's simple to set up

Simply login and contact us through My account for more information.

Am I eligible for Right To Buy (RTB) ?

Who is eligible?

You may have the Right To Buy if you were a tenant with Newcastle Borough Council prior to 1st February 2000 and have remained a tenant with Aspire Housing since this time.  If there have been any breaks in your tenancy since the 1st February 2000 then you may not be eligible.

Please contact Aspire Housing to request an application pack and to discuss in more detail the requirements needed to support each application.

Please be advised, we do not accept any applications through the post or hand-delivered as they will be returned as not followed the correct application process.

You are not able to exercise the RTB if:

  • the courts have issued a possession order for you to leave your home

  • you are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings

  • you live in housing specially provided for older people and (in certain cases) disabled people

N.B. This is not an extensive list and other property exclusions may apply

The discount offered to you is dependent on your tenancy length and maximum regional discounts set by the Government.

 

Find out more information here.

Can I keep pets in my home?

You will need to write to us for permission to have a pet in your property and our Neighbourhood team will review your request and write back with an outcome.

Where practical we would like to allow customers to keep domestic pets, but recognise that the keeping of pets brings considerable responsibility, not only for the pet, but also for those in the surrounding area who may be affected by its presence.

We understand that not all homes are a suitable environment in which to house a pet. This is particularly relevant to the housing of cats and dogs in flats with shared entrances and communal areas.

Restriction for keeping pets

We will not generally give permission for keeping pets where the animal is likely to:

  • Cause damage or harm to the premises;
  • Represent a danger or hazard to other residents or visitors or are covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) of 1976;
  • Cause a nuisance to other tenants;
  • Adversely affect the re-letting of the premises or subsequent tenants.

Can I have a copy of the rent calendar?

The 2023/2024 rent calendar can be downloaded below: 

Rent Calendar 2023/24

How do I apply for a home?

Use our where to register checker for details on how to apply for a home.

Am I eligible for Right To Acquire (RTA) ?

You may have the Right To Aquire if you:

  • are an assured tenant and have held a tenancy for a three year continuous period

  • live in a property that was built or acquired with public funds from 01 April 1997 onwards

  • live in a property that was transferred from a council to a housing association after 1st February 2000

You do not have the RTA if:

  • the courts have issued a possession order for you to leave your home

  • you are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings

  • you live in housing specially provided for older people or (in certain cases) disabled people

  • you have the Right to Buy

  • your property is located in certain rural parishes

N.B This is not a definite list and other property exclusions may apply

The discount to purchase your home under Right To Acquire is a fixed rate set by the Government which is not related to tenancy years.

Please contact Aspire Housing to request an application pack and to discuss in more detail the requirements needed to support each application.

Please be advised, we do not accept any applications through the post or hand-delivered as they will be returned as not followed the correct application process.

 

Find out more information here

Can I have a copy of my tenancy agreement?

You can login to My Account and send us a message where we will send you a copy in the post. 

How much credit do I need to keep on my rent account?

Tenants from 01.06.16 should have 1 weeks credit retained on their account.
Tenants from 01.07.18 should have 1 months credit retained on their account.

What is my termination date?

Your tenancy termination date is worked out from the first Monday after we receive your written notice or form here.

We’ll expect your keys to be handed in before 12 midday.

Need to check your notice period? See How do I end my Tenancy?

Need to check the date? Click on Live chat or Contact us.

How do I get a rent refund?

Simply contact us or login to My account to request a refund and we will assess your account to confirm the credit amount to be refunded.

Can I hand in my keys early?

You can hand in your keys and leave your property during your notice period, however you’ll still need to pay the rent for the full four-week notice period. You will also be responsible for looking after the property and may be charged for any damage that occurs during this time.

If you do wish to leave during your notice period, please let us know.

Can I take on a tenancy?

Adding people or being added to a tenancy is looked at on an individual basis by our neighbourhood team.

While we do add people onto tenancies on request, the person must have lived with the tenant for at least a year beforehand.

To make a request, login to your account to contact your Neighbourhood Coordinator.

What is Community Living?

Community Living schemes are properties for over 55s with communal areas which allow customers to participate in an active social life and support them with living independently within a community.

What is right to rent?

Right to rent is a verification check completed by our Customer Excellence team when you apply for a property through HomeHunt.

Can I keep a spare key once my tenancy has ended to collect my post?

No, all keys must be returned at the end of your notice period and your post set-up with Royal Mail to be redirected to your new address.

What is a community contribution?

A community contribution is if you are in employment or regularly volunteering. It is one of the factors we take into consideration when reviewing your application for one of our properties.

Do you offer housing with wardens?

We no longer have wardens that offer a live in service (incorporating several calls/ knocks for customer and pull cord).

What dates can I choose for my Direct Debit?

You can choose from the following dates:

  • 1st
  • 8th
  • 15th
  • 25th

Alternatively, you can choose your Direct Debit to go out every Monday.

Simply login and contact us through My account for more information

How do I update my details?

Simply login to your account below and edit your profile within 'My profile'.

Can I assign someone else to my property?

Yes, any requests you make to assign or be assigned to a property will be looked at by our neighbourhood team. Only one assignment per tenancy is allowed, however, we are on hand to give any advice. 

What does my service charge pay for?

An outline of service charges can be found below

What are my service charges?

When does Aspire Housing advertise available properties?

As soon as we receive notice on one of our homes, we look to advertise it as quickly as possible.

I’m handing my keys in but I don’t have the fobs?

You will need to hand in both keys and fobs. If these can’t be found, you will be charged for the replacements.

Can I run a business from my Aspire home?

If you are an Aspire Tenant and you'd like to run a residential business from your home, you need to write to us to ask for permission.  You can find our address under Contact Us.

We'll consider the impact that your business may have on your home and on your neighbours in order to make a decision.

What if I change my name?

If you have legally changed your name, by marriage, divorce or Deed Poll you will need to send us a copy of the legal documentation before we can update your details with your new name. 

The easiest and quickest way is to send this is by email, you can also send it to us be post. 

Can I have an Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Point?

We recognise that Electric and hybrid vehicles are fast becoming a way of the future and if you are thinking of buying an electric car you may be wondering what are the options around charging it in your home. It’s important when considering buying an electric car, which you would want to charge at home to have thought about whether you can have an EV charging point installed. For more information click here.

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