Furnished accommodation scheme...

What is furnished accommodation?

Helena Partnerships operates a scheme that allows you to rent essential furnishings as part of your tenancy.  

Furnishings include items such as carpets, washer, cooker, refrigerator, beds and other furniture that is needed to set up your new home.  

The aim of the scheme is to provide furniture to new customers, who are unable to furnish their homes and who need assistance due to their own personal or financial circumstances.  

The scheme seeks to ensure that our property becomes your home.

How do I apply to join the scheme?

You must have registered for housing with Under One Roof and received a membership number. At this stage, you need to contact the Furnished Accommodation Team who will assess if you are eligible for the scheme.  

You may be unable to apply if you have previously stolen or damaged furniture belonging to us.  

We will respond to you by telephone or letter to advise if you have been accepted onto the scheme.

How is the furniture paid for?

You would have to pay a weekly service charge on top of your rent payment. The amount we will charge depends on what package you need. If you are entitled to Housing Benefit then it may be claimed to cover the payment for the furniture. If you are interested in furnished accommodation then you need to consider whether you can afford rent plus the service charge for furniture.

Who is responsible for looking after the furniture?

You are responsible for maintaining the furniture in a clean condition. White goods have a two year guarantee and if you have any problems you should contact the Furnished Accommodation Team immediately and they will arrange for someone to call. We will carry out regular safety checks on electrical appliances.

Can I ever own the furniture?

No, the furniture will always remain the property of Helena. If the furniture requires replacement or repair, we are responsible for providing this.

What happens when my bid for a property is successful?

Once you have been successful in bidding for a property, you will be invited to view your new home. At this point, you will be able to decide what furniture you need, and we will arrange to order and deliver it.

What happens if my circumstances change?

After four years you will have the opportunity to cease the rental of the furniture and the furniture will be removed. You may decide you want to continue renting, and that’s fine.  

However, at the end of the first two years, you will have the opportunity to have items of furniture removed, as you may want to replace them with your own. You can make a choice on an annual basis to have further items removed. You will only be able to have items of furniture removed at these annual opportunities.  

You will be visited once every year to enable the furniture to be checked. Remember, Helena owns the furniture and you may be recharged if any items are missing or damaged.

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