Somerset Co-operative Community Land Trust
Vacancies
Sorry, we have no vacancies available right now.
When vacancies arise, we advertise them widely and post on our Facebook page, on Gumtree, SpareRoom and OpenRent. You can find more information about eligibility below.
In order to apply, we ask everyone to complete this online form. We must receive your completed application - including two references - before we will offer viewings or interviews.
Who do we house?
To qualify for our affordable rent housing, you must be in housing need. Some examples of this are:
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness (e.g. being asked to leave, nearing the end of a fixed term tenancy, or going through a relationship breakup with nowhere to live);
- Temporary accommodation
- Overcrowding
- Harassment
- Medical/Welfare needs
- Disrepair
- Unsuitably housed (e.g. unaffordable, unhealthy or unsafe situation)
This list in not exhaustive. There are other reasons that may qualify you for our affordable housing.
Application Process
Here is an overview of how the application process works. More guidance will be given to potential applicants who contact us when about a vacancy.
We do not have a waiting list - vacancies come up too rarely as we have only four units to let at present.
All applicants must complete an application form. In future, applicants may have to register with Homefinder - but we aren't listing there at present. Nonetheless, we'd advise anyone in housing need to register with Homefinder.
We are often asked if we take applications from people reliant on benefits to pay their rent. The answer is yes, but it is also true that we prefer tenants who are pro-active in improving their financial position, which usually means they have a plan to reduce their depedence on benefits over time.
Having two referees is essential, and if you have a previous landlord we will expect them to be one of your referees (your current employer is also a good choice). Friends and family aren't suitable, but any other adult who knows you and can speak to your character can be used. We contact referees only when we have decided you are our preferred candidate.
Qualifying applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed and the information checked. If there are more people applying than places, then vacancies then will be allocated according to an objective assessment of whether you are a good fit for the property on the basis of the information you've supplied. If we don't ask about it on the application form or at interview, it won't be part of our decision.
Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to view the property, normally at the interview stage.
We do NOT ask for a deposit.
All our current homes are let at affordable rents – that’s no more than 80% of market value rents - or local housing allowance rates for a person over 35, whichever is lower.
All tenants are encouraged to have a say in the running of the Community Land Trust, by becoming members or even standing for election to the board of directors. We are community-led and a co-operative.
