Some common questions

Note: The word “Service User’ is a person who is getting a service from SILS

The word “Tenant” is a person who is getting a service from SILS and also lives in one of the flats

What type of tenancy do you offer?
An Assured Shorthold for a minimum of 6 months. The tenancy “rolls on” thereafter.

What does it cost?
The rents for the flats are at a locally fair market rate. Support is normally free if the tenant is able to have housing benefit.

What happens if there is a shortfall between the housing benefit award and the rent?
If housing benefit does not cover the full amount of rent, an appeal can be made. Also an application can be made for payments of discretionary housing benefit (special housing benefit). While this is being considered, the payment of the full rent is still due. Responsibility for payment of rent is with the tenant.

What about gas electric and water?
In most of our properties, the tenant will pay their utility bills direct to the supplier and they can have support to budget for this. In some properties we make a service charge to cover utility supply. This would be stated in the tenancy agreement.

How much support do you offer?
Support is normally for a maximum of 15 hours per week. Service Users are assessed for their needs. Support is not only one to one support, as some of the time it may be necessary to provide support from an office base (e.g to make phone calls write letters, or talk about things).
Support will be provided when it is suitable for the Service User and a mobile phone or live-in warden service is available outside of normal office hours.

Would the tenant have to accept support?
SILS only provides accommodation with support. The tenant must accept our support as stated on the Tenancy Agreement

Are there any communal areas or laundry services?
There are no communal sitting areas as all of our housing is self-contained. There are no laundry services on site. Most of our housing is close to local shops including launderettes

What furniture does SILS provide?
All flats are unfurnished. This means we can keep the cost of the rent low. It can also help tenants to become responsible owners. We can sometimes help with basic furniture, but we usually encourage and support new tenants to apply for community care grants or loans if possible.

How is the amount and type of support decided?
By doing a ‘needs assessment’ and then a ‘support plan’. The needs assessment includes discussion with the service user and other professionals or agencies.
A support plan will then be created by the Service User, a support worker and any other workers that have previous experience of the Service User. Planning support makes sure that SILS is focused and that there is an end result.