Resident AppLicanTs
About
Almshouses fall outside the provisions of the Housing Act 1996. If you live in an almshouse, you are known as a resident or beneficiary of the charity rather than a tenant. You will sign a Letter of Appointment, not a Tenancy Agreement. Instead of paying rent, residents pay a Monthly Maintenance Contribution. Residents are expected to live as part of the almshouse community, respecting the needs of their neighbours.
Residents may expect to continue in occupation for as long as they need the accommodation, providing they continue to qualify as a beneficiary, and are able to look after themselves. If health deteriorates, residents must be willing to accept advice and guidance, either from their own doctor or from a medical consultant appointed by the directors. The directors will also consult with the next of kin, Social Services and other agencies if necessary.
The charity will only set aside (i.e. end) an appointment as a last resort, after every reasonable effort has been made to resolve the issues.
Who qualifies for an almshouse
Residents should be persons who, within the directors’ reasonable opinion, are persons of limited means who require support. They are typically of retirement age. Tudor House (unusually amongst almshouses) does not have a prescribed geographical area of benefit and therefore, when a vacancy is available, applications are invited from people outside Winchcombe and its surrounding areas
Monthly Maintenance Contributions
The amount you pay represents a contribution towards the cost of running the charity. Items covered by the MMC include:
- Building alterations, repairs and maintenance and Insurance
- Servicing and repair of water, gas and electrical installations
- External maintenance, decoration costs and grounds maintenance
- Cleaning of communal areas, the provision and maintenance of fire equipment, portable appliance testing (PAT) and gas appliance certification
- Gardening costs of the communal Garden area, trees, borders, etc.
All residents are responsible for payment of their own council tax, gas, electricity and water
Residents on low income may be entitled to Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other benefits relating to income from employment or disability.
How To Apply
The directors have in place a robust process for appointing new residents. When a vacancy occurs, it is widely advertised locally and on the Almshouse Association website: https://www.almshouses.org/ Applicants are required to provide financial information and references, and are interviewed by the directors. The residents form a close, mutually supportive community and it is important that any new resident will wish to contribute to this amicable community.
There are currently no vacancies.