Helm Housing - The new name for BIH

How do I apply for housing?

A General Housing Application Form for social rented housing can be obtained from your local NIHE District Office or any Government Registered Housing Association.  You can also download the form here.  The completed form should be returned to  your local NIHE District Office.  You will then be visited by NIHE staff and an assessment of your housing need will be carried out. 

This single application form means that your application will be considered by all social landlords in your preferred areas of choice.  It will also allow you to apply for sheltered housing and specialised accommodation for people with support needs or special needs. 

You may also obtain the following on request from your local NIHE or Housing Assocation office: 

• A list of general rented housing provided by NIHE and Housing Associations
• The Housing Selection Scheme booklet which explains how your housing need is assessed
• A booklet called "Homelessness:  Your Rights Explained"

The addresses and telephone numbers of  your local NIHE District Office or Housing Association can be found in the phone book. 

How do I report a repair? 

Contact Helm Housing by telephone or in writing, e-mail the office, or call at your local advice centre.   

Give details of the nature of the repair and when access will be available for the repair to be undertaken.   

Depending on the nature of the repair an inspection may be required before the repair is undertaken. 

After hours or at holiday times please call:  Freephone Telecare 0800 7313081. 

A booklet entitled "Repairs Handbook" is available on request from head office.  This booklet provides general advice to tenants on dealing with repairs and explains what is Helm's responsibility and what is the tenant's responsibility. 

How often do I pay rent? 

Rent is charged on a weekly basis.  You can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly.  Allmonthly payments must be made in advance. 

Where and how do I pay my rent?

There are several ways of paying rent: 

• By Payment Card at the Post Office or any other authorised Pay Point. You will receive a receipt that you should keep safe.
• By post - but if you send cash, use only registered post.  Cheques should be made payable to Helm Housing Association and crossed A/C PAYEE ONLY.
• By Direct Debit from your bank account - a form is available from Helm on request.

How can I check my rent account?

Helm will send you a rent statement every 6 months that will detail charges made and any payments received.  You can request a statement from the office at any other time.  If you have any queries about your rent statement you should contact your Housing Officer. 

How do I apply for Housing Benefit to help pay my rent?

As a tenant of a registered Housing Association, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit and may make an application to your local NIHE Private Housing Benefit District Office.  

How do I make a complaint?

We aim to deal with complaints as quickly and efficiently as possible.  All complaints are investigated and we try to resolve the matter immediately.

If you have a complaint about the service that Helm provides, or its treatment of you either as a tenant or an applicant, we would ask you to contact the office either verbally or in writing.  Written complaints will be replied to within five working days. 

If the matter is not resolved and you wish to make a further complaint, please refer to your tenants handbook for guidance on Helm's complaints procedure.

Can I apply to buy my home from Helm?

On 18 May 2004 the Department for Social Development informed all Housing Associations of proposals for a revised House Sales Scheme. This scheme is currently at consultation stage and the new scheme is due to be introduced in late Autumn.

The Department has also advised that all House Sales applications received after 18 May 2004 can only be processed under the terms of the new scheme when it is finalised by the Department.

This means that we are unable to progress any applications made since 18 May 2004 as we are not permitted to process it under the terms laid down in your Tenants Handbook. "Discount" and "Historic Cost" are anticipated to change under any new scheme and these items both affect the Offer price. 

We will be informing all tenants of the new House Sales Scheme when it is introduced.  In the interim, however, we are unable to process your application until the new scheme is made available to us by the Department.