Flats 1 – 8 Pearmain House, Worcester Close
Introduction
This Lettings Plan sets out the strategy, tools and targets to guide the letting of 8 affordable rent apartments at Worcester Close, Istead Rise, DA13 9BE.
The properties are managed by Gravesham Borough Council and nominations are via Kent Home Choice (Choice Based Lettings Scheme).
The plan is designed to support sustainable lettings in accordance with the Kent Sustainable Communities Protocol.
The aim is to establish a balanced and sustainable community as well as meet housing need whilst preventing potential management problems on the development. It is essential that the social housing scheme is successful and the development is an attractive place where people want to live.
Property Type & Tenure Mix
8 affordable rent apartments comprising:
- 4 x 1-bedroom 2 person
- 2 x 2-bedroom 3 person
- 2 x 2-bedroom 4 person
Objectives of the Lettings Plan:
The following sets out the objectives of the Plan are:
- To establish a balanced community, by letting homes to a mix of applicants and household sizes;
- To achieve a child density and occupancy level that will encourage sustainability, and allow for the children to be best accommodated;
Specific Details for Nominations
- To allow one person or a couple to reside in a one bedroom flat.
- To allow a maximum of 4 people to reside in a 2 bedroom 3 person flat which will be advertised for 2 – 3 people
- To allow up to 4 people (a maximum of 2 children) to reside in a 2 bedroom 4 person flat which will be advertised for 2-4 people.
- Properties will be prioritised for existing Gravesham Council housing tenants registered for a transfer on the Gravesham Borough Council Housing Register.
Aim to achieve an even spread of ages for children living in the homes wherever possible and allocation will be subject to the ages of the children taking into account our Housing Allocations Scheme.
Nomination Process
Most of the affordable rent homes within this development will be advertised via the Kent Home Choice Lettings scheme. If there are not suitable applicants identified Gravesham Borough Council reserve the right to direct let accommodation to households in the greatest need and/or that require specific adaptions that this development offers.
Adverts will clearly state that a Lettings Plan is in operation there will be a link provided for applicants to view.
In line with Gravesham Boroughs Councils Housing allocations policy all Applicants wishing to be considered for homes including existing tenants seeking a transfer must have an identified housing need and be eligible.
When vacant properties are advertised, applicants should bid in the usual way. At the close of bidding, a shortlist of applicants who have placed bids will be produced. Properties may not be allocated to the highest bidder as the successful applicant would need to meet the criteria stipulated in the Lettings Plan. In the event of two or more applicants sharing the priority band, their registration date order will be used to determine priority.
Priority
Gravesham Borough Council will allocate the homes in line with Gravesham Borough Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme and the Local Lettings Plan.
Priority will be given to existing GBC tenants who have an eligible need to move which could include on medical or welfare grounds or overcrowding. Should there be
insufficient demand from existing GBC tenants then priority will be given to other Home seekers on the Housing Register.
Transfer applications will be subject to a tenancy inspection, rent checks and a satisfactory tenancy reference to ensure compliance with existing tenancy agreement conditions.
Local Connection
- The household is registered on the Council’s Housing Register and is considered by the Council to be in need of housing and:
- Local Connection is defined and means as follows and in order of priority and in accordance with the Housing Allocation Scheme:
Below outlines the order of local connection considered to allocate these homes-
- The household currently lives in Istead Rise and has done so continuously for the last three years calculated from the date of this Agreement and have an identified housing need.
- Currently lives in Istead Rise and has done so for five out of the last ten years from the date of this Agreement and have an identified housing need.
- Does not currently live in Istead Rise but has lived previously in the Parish for three out of the last five years from the date of this Agreement and whose current accommodation is deemed by the Council to be unsatisfactory or unsuitable.
- Does not currently live in Istead Rise but has an immediate family member (meaning parents or children over the age of 18 years) who currently live in the Parish and have done so continuously for the last ten years and have an identified housing need.
- Has full time employment in Istead Rise of over 30 hours per week and has done so for the last 12 months and have an identified housing need.
Shortlisting
Where applicants have expressed an interest in vacant properties by placing a bid, the Council’s Allocations Team will verify the case and carry out the following checks:
- Applicants and members of the household will not be the perpetrators of serious and/or ongoing nuisance or anti-social behavior at their current home or had any
- legal action as a result of nuisance or anti-social behavior taken against them including a Notice of Seeking Possession.
- Applicants will not have been evicted for nuisance or anti-social behavior from any previous addresses. Discretion may be exercised if the applicant can show that they have over a period of not less than 2 years rectified their behavior.
- Applicants and members of the household will not have a recent criminal conviction which will impact upon the management of the tenancy or the local community. In such instances, a risk assessment will be completed.
- Applicants will not be in rent arrears or Council Tax arrears for their current home. If arrears are because of a delay in Housing Benefit such that a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit such that a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit payment is owing equivalent to the whole of the arrears, applicants will need to show this is the case and that they have dealt with their claim appropriately and are paying any estimated contributions (e.g. non-dependent deductions) regularly.
- Applicants will not have been evicted for rent arrears from a previous home
- Applicants will not have any outstanding or current tenancy notice for any breaches of tenancy
- Applicants that meet the local connection criteria for working in the area will be required to provide proof of this.
Role of Gravesham Borough Council
- Validate shortlist of applicants
- Carry out the verification of potential nominees
- Monitor the Lettings Plan on an annual basis to ensure it remains viable
This Local Lettings Plan was agreed by Andy Chequers, Director (Social Housing) 14 July 2026.