Help managing your tenancy

This service supports new tenants to settle into their home during the first year.

The Team work closely with other teams in Derby Homes and at Derby City Council to make sure any potential problems are resolved early on. 

The service can help you:

• set- up on My Account, where you can see and manage your rent and repairs online
• understand your tenancy agreement and how to keep to it
• claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit to cover the cost of your rent if you are eligible
• set up your Council Tax, gas, electric and water accounts
• by referring you to agencies that can provide low cost or free furniture
• sort out any problems with extra repairs that might be needed in your new home
• make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to
• learn how to manage your money and any debts you may have
• access financial services and set up a bank account
• with any Welfare Reform issues by applying for Discretionary Housing payments
• by signposting you to employment training, upskilling or education opportunities
• deal with any problems you might have with neighbours or the area you live in
• by arranging any additional help for you if you need it, such as support from Social Services.

This service is provided to new tenants during their introductory period, which is a minimum of 12 months.

A needs assessment is completed with the tenant before they sign up to determine if they would benefit from the service.

We keep regularly in touch with tenants to support them with any problems they may have with their tenancy.

Please note: Referrals only come internally. If external agencies wish to refer they must do this through the Patch Team to investigate and see if it meets criteria from a housing perspective.

Intensive Housing Management is a support service for existing tenants who may be having difficulty in some aspect of their life and need help to understand their tenancy conditions and manage their tenancy. 

When a referral is received , an Intensive Housing Management Officer will carry out an assessment with the tenant. They will discuss the tenant’s needs and agree an action plan.

We work closely with tenants who need to get back on track when breaching tenancy conditions such as hoarding, property issues and overgrown or untidy gardens.

We work with internal and external agencies to help customers going through financial hardships, check benefit eligibility and help maximise your income.

The service is reviewed on a regular basis with an aim of the case being closed within 18-months.

Please note: Referrals only come internally. If external agencies wish to refer they must do this through the Patch Team to investigate and see if it meets criteria from a housing perspective.

We have a dedicated and supportive team of Complex Needs Officers and Intensive Intervention Officers who provide additional help to tenants with a wide range of complex needs to enable them to sustain their tenancies.

These complex needs can include mental and physical health, drug and alcohol issues, domestic abuse incidents, social isolation and learning disabilities.

Staff have strong links with external and internal teams and work in partnership to provide more specialist support working in a multi-agency approach.

Intensive Intervention Officers can provide a higher level of support if required.

When a referral is received, we carry out an assessment with the tenant. They will discuss the tenant’s needs and agree an action plan. 

The Complex Needs team will help tenants on the service to comply with the requirements of their tenancy agreement.

The service is reviewed on a regular basis with an aim of getting to a position where support is no longer needed within 18-months.

Please note: Referrals only come internally. If external agencies wish to refer they must do this through the Patch Team to investigate and see if it meets criteria from a housing perspective.