Affordable homes to rent

We offer a wide range of housing options and types of tenancies for anyone looking to rent an Aster home.

Our properties include family-sized houses, homes for single people and couples, and accommodation specifically for customers aged 55 and above.

Who can apply How to apply
Things to consider Moving in
Where to apply More info

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply for our housing. However, your local council may have specific eligibility criteria that you must meet to qualify for social housing. These criteria often include factors such as:

  • Your current housing situation

  • Income and savings

  • Immigration status

  • Local connection to the area.

Affordability

We need to see how much money you have coming into and going out of your household to check that the rent is affordable.  The amount of rent you need to pay should not be more than 40% of the total money coming into your home. 

Tip: If you are moving from rented accommodation you will need to give your landlord notice that you are moving out. If there is an overlap of rent to pay on both tenancies, and you are getting help to pay your rent, you should check if you can get help with both rents.

Why we might not accept your application?

Even if you are nominated to us by the local council, sometimes there are reasons why we can’t offer you a property.

However, in general, if you don’t have a history of rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and the property is suitable for your needs, then we are likely to offer you one of our homes.

Things to consider when letting a home

Before you start your home move journey

Moving home can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to start saving early. You will need to pay rent in advance even if you receive housing benefit or Universal Credit. This will be discussed with you as part of the lettings process. Moving costs could include hiring a van or paying for a removals company and you may need things like curtains, carpets and white goods.

We strongly advise against borrowing from high-interest lenders or taking out doorstep loans. These can lead to serious financial difficulties. 

Financial Support when you have moved in

Once you have moved into your new home our financial wellbeing team are here to help you with worries about money, benefits, and budgeting. We help hundreds of customers every week with their individual circumstances. If you become an Aster customer, you can reach them by filling in the online form here or by calling the contact centre on 0333 400 8222.

Credit score 

In the past paying your rent on time hasn’t counted towards improving your credit score. We have joined the Experian Rental Exchange scheme to help our tenants enhance their credit score.

Where to apply

Apply through the council

If you’re interested in moving into an Aster home, you’ll need to apply to your local council’s housing register. You'll usually have to bid through a choice-based lettings (CBL) scheme. This lets you tell your council which property you’re interested in renting. You’ll need to register for housing with the council and then they will assess if you qualify for housing. If you do qualify, they will grant you access their CBL scheme and from there you can bid on homes you’re interested in. This usually happens weekly- find out more here Aster-BiddingProcess.pdf

Tip: find your local council and register for your local housing register here: Apply for council housing - GOV.UK

Mutual exchange

If you’re already an Aster customer and want to move homes to a new location or a different type of property, you can apply to swap your current home with another customer. You can swap it for another Aster home or exchange it for one that's managed by another housing association or council. This process is called mutual exchange.

Tip  HomefinderUK may be able to help you find a home that better matches your household needs and personal circumstances. 

How to apply- a step by step guide

Find a home

Once you have access to your local council’s housing register, you can see any homes that become available in your area. You can apply for a home through the council’s website and when the advert closes, the local council will send us the details of the person that they would like to be offered the property. 

Being offered a home

We will get in touch with you to ask you to complete an application form and provide some information to ensure we can offer you the accommodation.

Tip: We might ask you to provide a reference – this could be your current landlord, health professional or support service you receive.

What we need from you

As part of the process, we will need:

  • Proof of identity for the whole household; including photographic proof for the main applicant(s)

  • Proof of your national insurance number

  • Proof of your household income and savings including child benefit

  • Proof of your right to rent

  • Your current landlord contact details, if you have one

  • Your support plan, if you have one

  • You to pay rent in advance, this will be discussed with you as part of the lettings process.

Review and Appeals

Once information has been provided the application will be reviewed.  If we are unable to offer a tenancy we will explain why and then you have the right to appeal.  

Any Appeal needs to be made in writing within 2 days of the refusal or cancellation. This can be via email, text or letter.  If you decide to appeal, please include the reason(s) for your appeal.

The Lettings Co-ordinator working with you will give you all the information needed in relation to how to appeal and what will happen. 

Viewing the home

Once all the checks have been completed and we’ve confirmed that you’re eligible for the home, we’ll book an appointment to show you around the property.

Once you've viewed the property, please let us know if you would like it. You may have decided before the viewing if you want to refuse or accept the property. In either case, please tell us of your decision as quickly as possible.

If you do refuse the property, we'll ask why. We’ll then let the local council know.  

If you accept the property, we’ll get the property ready for you and make sure it meets our lettable standard and arrange a time for you to sign a tenancy agreement.

Signing the tenancy agreement

After you accept the property, we’ll arrange an appointment for you to sign the tenancy agreement.

We will tell you which type of tenancy we will offer you. This is likely to be either a starter assured tenancy or an assured tenancy.

Our tenancy agreements typically relate to one of two types of rent.  One that is for affordable rent and one that is social rent.  

  • Affordable rent - if you are offered an affordable rent tenancy this means your rent will be set in line with the Rent Standard which is one of the regulatory standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing.  Lettings at affordable rents are defined as low cost rental accommodation with the rents being calculated at up to 80% of market rent. 
  • Social rent - if you are offered a social rent tenancy this means the rent is calculated in the region of 60% of market rent.  This is also covered within the Rent Standard set by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Tip: My Aster – sign up to MyAster on our website. This is the easiest way to pay your rent, report a repair and update your personal details.

What happens when I move in?

Once you have signed your tenancy agreement, you’re ready to move in. We’ll agree a date that you can move in and on you’ll meet your housing officer who will answer any questions you might have.

Paying your rent

Your tenancy agreement will confirm when your rent should be paid. If you’re eligible for housing-related benefits, this will be paid to you as part of Universal Credit and you’ll need to pay us your rent in line with your tenancy agreement.  

Tip: Paying your rent by Direct Debit is quick and easy to set up and ensures you don’t miss a payment to us. Our Income team will contact you to set up your Direct Debit. 

Moving in checklist

There’s lots to remember when you move in, here is a handy checklist to work through:

  • Contact your gas, water and electricity suppliers to set up or change your utilities account

  • Take meter readings as soon as you move in (these are usually taken as part of the tenancy sign up process)

  • Contact your local council to set up or change your Council Tax payments and to add your household to the electoral roll

  • Contact your local council to make a claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (if applicable)

  • Find out where your stop taps, fuse box and trip switch are located (contact your Housing Officer if you need help)

  • Re-direct your mail from your previous address (please contact the Post Office for advice)

  • Arrange or amend your TV licence (if necessary)

  • If you install a phone, please let us know your landline number.

  • Remember to let your doctor, dentist, bank, employer, school and DVLA, etc of your new address.

Tip: Have you considered Contents Insurance? We insure the building but we don’t insure your belongings. We recommend you obtain contents insurance. You can get contents insurance from the National Housing Federation. Aster doesn’t receive any commission if you take out insurance with this scheme.  There are other providers of contents insurance.

Contact us

Did you find what you were looking for?

If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch with us

Contact us

Search