FAQs

How do I qualify to be a resident?
How does the charity appoint a resident?
What type of occupancy will I have and how secure is it?
Do I pay rent?
What does the weekly maintenance contribution cover?
Can I claim housing benefit?
Is my privacy maintained?
Are the flats unfurnished?

How do I qualify to be a resident?

You must be a person of good character and limited means currently living in the London Borough of Hammersmith and have been resident there for at least five years or a previous resident of the area for at least 10 years.
You must be in a reasonable state of health and capable of looking after yourself in a self-contained flat.
You must, where applicable, meet the other site-specific criteria, as outlined in the sections on our accommodation page.

How does the Charity appoint a resident?

The appointment of residents is made without prejudice to the interests of existing residents.
A register of all applications is maintained.
Applicants are required to complete the Charity’s Application Form, including details of income and supply evidence of his or her qualification of appointment.
A maximum of 12 applicants will be shortlisted and be invited for an interview with the Charity’s Interviewing Committee, which is made up of three or four Trustees and the Clerk to the Trustees.
Applicants are selected on the basis of need.

What type of occupancy will I have and how secure is it?

As its homes have been permanently endowed, Hammersmith United Charities cannot grant tenancies or licences for the occupation of its flats but instead, the Trustees of the Charity appoint the resident as a beneficiary of the Charity. Trustees cannot ask residents to leave unless they

have been appointed without having the necessary qualifications or have provided incorrect information on the application form;
no longer have the required qualifications
suffer from an infirmity that means they are unsuited to remain a resident, for example they cannot any longer live independently and need to move to sheltered accommodation;
are in persistent arrears with their weekly maintenance contributions;
persistently or without reasonable excuse disregard the residents regulations or disturb the quiet occupation of the flats or behave in an aggravating or offensive manner;
in exceptional circumstances (as determined by the Trustees and including but not limited to violent or threatening behaviour or racial or sexual harassment towards other beneficiaries, Charity staff or lawful visitors to the Almshouse Accommodation) a single breach may result in the Trustees terminating an appointment.

Do I pay rent?

Instead of paying rent, residents are charged a weekly maintenance contribution and this amount covers the running costs of the almshouse and the communal areas. Contributions are paid weekly monthly in advance.

What does the weekly maintenance contribution charge cover?

Contribution towards central staff and administration costs
Heating and hot water in communal areas
Maintenance and redecoration of buildings
Cleaning in communal areas
Lighting in communal areas
Gardening

In addition, residents are responsible for their domestic electricity (lighting, cooking and other appliances), telephone, council tax and other living expenses. Hammersmith United Charities makes a grant from its own resources to cover all costs related to heating and hot water in individual flats, water rates and residents’ support systems.

Can I claim housing benefit?

Subject to status Housing Benefit can be claimed by residents living in the almshouses. It can either be paid to the residents or directly to Hammersmith United Charities. Housing Benefit excludes the cost of heating and hot water.

Is my privacy maintained?

On allocation of the almshouse residents are provided with one set of keys. Hammersmith United Charities’ staff will only enter an almshouse without invitation if the resident is believed to be in need of assistance or if the resident is not in occupation and there is a problem with services e.g. a water leak. At all other times total privacy is maintained.

Are the flats unfurnished?

The almshouses are provided unfurnished. However some do have carpets, curtains and other items of furniture left by the previous occupant and these are made available to the incoming resident as a gift.