The Association has not allocated any apartments within this building as yet.  Currently we have taken names of applicants who are interested, but even this is not a guarantee of being allocated one of these apartments.  The Association has not as yet devised the Allocation Policy & Process for these apartments.  This will be agreed early summer 2008. 

This is not true.  We have reported in previous newsletters that, in line with legislation, we cannot operate a housing list just for people from Renton; we need to have an open housing list.  It is such a turnaround and is a credit to the village that people outwith the village want to stay in Renton; years ago the Association could not let its empty houses and many people were given up their tenancy and moving away – not now.  Unfortunately we cannot satisfy demand – we have over 300 applicants on our housing list and very little turnover.

See below for where people have been rehoused from over the last few years: -

Cordale Housing Association has a nominations agreement with  West Dunbartonshire Council, in which 50% of their lets are lets are given to the Council for nomination.  Therefore it is important to add your name to the Council's housing list and ensure that you tick that you wish to be selected for nomination for Cordale Housing Association.  This will further maximise your chances of housing with the Association.

The Association has an Allocations Policy, which includes the necessary legal requirements.  The policy is approved and reviewed by the Association's Management Committ, who delegates the allocation of properties to the staff of the Association.  Committee Members are not involved in allocating the properties.  The staff then have to work within the agreed quotas set out in the allocation policy, so 50% of lets will go to the Council for nominations, 25% will go to the housing list, 20% to internal transfers (Cordale existing tenants) and 5% to Homeswapper nominations.  So for example if a house becomes available and you are top of the housing list queue, you may not ncessarily be allocated the property as it may require to go to nomination or to the internal transfer llist, depending on the quotas to date.

We would like to be in a position to help everyone, however out tenants seem to be happy in their homes and are not moving away.  From 1 April 2007 to 31 December 2007, we have only had 14 properties to relet..

It is getting more difficult to be able to assist everyone on our high demand housing list.  Committee and staff are striving to ensure that the Association's development programme continues, so that we can make more people enjoy a good quality of life in more Cordale homes.

Yes, please contact the office in person or by calling 01389 721216 to make an appointment to see Lauren McGall, Trainee Housing Services Assistant.  She will be happy to discuss your application with you and give you any other housing advice, which you may need.

Due to the low turn around of properties and high demand on our Housing List we are unable to advise an applicant when they will be allocated a house.  Please see the table below for number of lets for the past 3 years:

If you are in receipt of housing benefit and your account is showing a debit balance, there may be additional housing benefit to be paid into your account, which may clear the balance outstanding.  Contact the office if you are unsure.  Sometimes the housing benefit department deduct overpayments from benefit you are paid and therefore full rent is not paid to the Association.  If you are in doubt, please contact Yvonne Reilly, Housing Services Officer at the office on 01389 721216 or by email on YvonneReilly@cordalehousing.org.uk.

If your rent account has a credit balance you can contact the office to see if you are due a refund.  Contact Yvonne Reilly, Housing Services Officer at the office on 01389 721216 or by email on YvonneReilly@cordalehousing.org.uk to see if you are due a refund.

The Association has bought gardening equipment so that more Cordale residents can make use of this free service, if they do not have their own gardening equipment.

Four Garden Tool Stations are available at the following: -

47 Grant Crescent   
For tenants who live in Back Street, Grant Crescent, McGregor Lane

19 Stirling Street  
For tenants who live in Stirling Street, 33-45 New Cordale Road, 44-62 New Cordale Road

5 McFarlane Place  
For tenants who live in McFarlane Place, 24-42 New Cordale Road

1 New Cordale Road 
For tenants who live in 1-22 New Cordale Road, 2-30 Gallagher Way

Please note that if the equipment is booked out at your station you may call to another station

West Dunbartonshire Council, Environmental Health Department deal with all pest control issues.  You can contact them on 01389 738282 as you need to give your full details.

All neighbour complaints are dealt with confidentially and no names will be given to your neighbour.  You can also contact the Police on 01389 823000 if there is criminal activity.

As stated in your tenancy agreement all tenants must take their turn in cleaning the close and common areas.  However, the Association may enforce rotas within the close to ensure all tenants are taking their turn.  Appropriate action may be taken against those tenants who do comply with the rota.

As soon as an abandoned vehicle is reported to the Association’s office, the Housing Services Officer will immediately telephone the local Police office, to arrange for the necessary action to be taken.  If the vehicle is close to neighbouring properties, a letter will be sent to all occupiers, advising them that the Association has notified the Police.  It is important to note that sometimes it can be a lengthy process to get abandoned vehicles removed as the Police sometimes require to trace the owner.

You can also report an untaxed vehicle by calling the DVLA on freephone 0800 0325 202.