Frequently asked questions
If you cannot find the information you require here please get in touch.
What sort of accommodation do you have? [see answer]
Our housing is located mainly in the London Borough of Enfield. Having historically focussed on providing housing for students much of our accommodation is suitable for single people though we do have a few family homes. Lee HA is now the mainstay in providing housing for non-statutory homeless people in the borough of Enfield.
We have a variety of units including both newly-built and rehabilitated properties. In all we have 341 tenancies made up of 305 shared units consisting of two, three, four and five-person units that are furnished. In addition there are 36 self-contained units that are made up of 4 bed-sits, 28 one-bedroom flats and 4 two-bedroom flats that are all unfurnished.
Because of the type of property we own, we specialise in furnished, shared housing for single people and welcome applications from single people of eighteen years and older who have connections with the Enfield area.
We have a variety of units including both newly-built and rehabilitated properties. In all we have 341 tenancies made up of 305 shared units consisting of two, three, four and five-person units that are furnished. In addition there are 36 self-contained units that are made up of 4 bed-sits, 28 one-bedroom flats and 4 two-bedroom flats that are all unfurnished.
Because of the type of property we own, we specialise in furnished, shared housing for single people and welcome applications from single people of eighteen years and older who have connections with the Enfield area.
Who can apply for accommodation? [see answer]
Our properties consist mainly of furnished, single person, shared units although we do have a few family homes. Because of the type of property we own we welcome applications from single people of eighteen years and older who have connections with the Enfield area.
Where can I get an application form? [see answer]
If you are a full time student you can get an application form by coming into the office in person or by downloading from this website on our Tenant Services page. Simply complete the form and either post it to us or bring it into the office. The office address and opening times are on the Contact & Maintenance section of this site. Please note that only full time students can apply directly to Lee HA. Other single homeless applicants will need to obtain the form and have it stamped at the London Borough of Enfield office, John Wilkes House, 79 High Street, Ponders End, EN3 4EN, prior to bringing it into our office. We also accept referrals for single homeless applicants from 2E, 324 High Street, Ponders End, EN3 4DJ
How much are rents? [see answer]
Housing Associations provide good quality housing at affordable rents to people who may find it difficult to get decent accommodation for a number of reasons. Our rents are increased each year in April. They are based on a formula set out in government regulations which make sure that similar properties cost similar money in similar areas. They also allow an addition for inflation. For more information go to the Tenant Services section.
How is the rent set? [see answer]
The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) provides a formula for calculating “Target Rents”. It takes into account property values and the average income of working people in the area. As a result, residents in similar properties in the same area will pay a similar rent.
Some of our rents are lower than Target Rents. We are required to bring these rents into line with the Target Rent but we are not permitted to increase our weekly rents by more than the Retail Price Index (RPI) + 0.5% + £2 in any year.
If your tenancy started before 15 January 1989 you will have a Secure Tenancy and your rent is still set by the local Rent Officer Service. You can appeal to the independent Rent Assessment Panel if you are unhappy with the rent that is set.
Your rent pays for the maintenance of our properties, the servicing of our debts and our running costs.
Some of our rents are lower than Target Rents. We are required to bring these rents into line with the Target Rent but we are not permitted to increase our weekly rents by more than the Retail Price Index (RPI) + 0.5% + £2 in any year.
If your tenancy started before 15 January 1989 you will have a Secure Tenancy and your rent is still set by the local Rent Officer Service. You can appeal to the independent Rent Assessment Panel if you are unhappy with the rent that is set.
Your rent pays for the maintenance of our properties, the servicing of our debts and our running costs.
What is the rent used for? [see answer]
Your rent payments are used to maintain and repair your homes in decent condition.
Why do I pay a service charge? [see answer]
These charges are added to your rent and pay for services such as cleaning the communal areas, grounds maintenance, communal lighting, the maintenance of fire equipment and furniture (if provided).
Service charges for the year are set by sharing the budgeted cost between all the residents in a particular property.
Both rents and service charges are reviewed every year with effect from the first Monday in April.
Service charges for the year are set by sharing the budgeted cost between all the residents in a particular property.
Both rents and service charges are reviewed every year with effect from the first Monday in April.
When is the rent due? [see answer]
Your rent is payable weekly and in advance. If you wish to make monthly or fortnightly payments, this is acceptable, as long as the payments are still made in advance.
How do I pay the rent? [see answer]
You can make rent payments in the following ways: 1. By cash or cheque at our offices. 2. By standing order. Please contact your Housing Officer for a standing order form. 3. Housing Benefit. We will assist you with making a housing benefit application. 4. By internet banking on line. You will need to ask us for your personal reference number and our bank account details.
What will happen if I don't pay the rent? [see answer]
Collecting the rent is vital to the Association. While we will assist and advise residents who are in arrears with their rent, our approach to recovering the debt has to be strict.
We deal with rent arrears and income collection in line with policy approved by the Board of Management. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the policy.
• We will contact you by letter or telephone if you are in arrears
• We will give you the opportunity to make an agreement to pay the arrears
• We may take legal action in the County Court if you fail to pay your rent or break an agreement to pay, which could lead to you losing your home
• Our Housing Officers are available to advise and support if you are having money problems. Please be sure to contact your Housing Officer as soon as possible if this is the case.
We deal with rent arrears and income collection in line with policy approved by the Board of Management. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the policy.
• We will contact you by letter or telephone if you are in arrears
• We will give you the opportunity to make an agreement to pay the arrears
• We may take legal action in the County Court if you fail to pay your rent or break an agreement to pay, which could lead to you losing your home
• Our Housing Officers are available to advise and support if you are having money problems. Please be sure to contact your Housing Officer as soon as possible if this is the case.
What is my tenancy agreement? [see answer]
This is your legal contract with Lee Housing Association. It sets out both your rights and obligations as a tenant. It is an important document, and you should keep it safe. If you have any questions about your tenancy, please contact your Housing Officer.
What is an assured tenancy? [see answer]
Residents of self-contained accommodation have an Assured Tenancy. This means that they have full security of tenure, which gives them the right to keep their tenancy as long as they don’t break the terms of their agreement. If they do, we may seek a Possession Order in the County Court, which, if granted, would give us the right to evict them. However, we only evict in the most serious circumstances, for example when rent is owed or the resident is guilty of anti-social behaviour, and only after every reasonable opportunity has been given to the resident to resolve the situation.
What is an assured shorthold tenancy? [see answer]
Most of our residents live in shared housing, and have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. This means that you have full security of tenure for six months only. After six months, we can obtain a Possession Order quickly in the County Court without having to prove a breach of the agreement. This is important, because it enables us to evict someone from a shared house quite easily if he/ she is affecting the other residents’ quality of life through serious anti-social behaviour. If you keep to the terms of the tenancy, your tenancy will continue, and we will not use this power to deal with rent arrears and other less serious breaches.
Can I share my room with someone else? [see answer]
Shared Accommodation – Sole Possession
If you live in a room in a shared house and allow another person to occupy it with you, you are breaking the terms of your tenancy and we will take steps to end it.
Self-Contained Accommodation - Joint Tenancies
More than one person may sign the tenancy of self-contained accommodation. Each ‘joint tenant’ is then equally responsible for the whole tenancy, and if one leaves and surrenders their interest, the remaining tenant is responsible for the whole tenancy and will be responsible for paying all of the rent.
Self-Contained Accommodation - Lodgers and sub-letting
If you live in self-contained accommodation, you may take a lodger or sub-let part of the property as long as it does not result in overcrowding. You may not sub-let all of it. If you do, we will take steps to end your tenancy.
A lodger will share meals with you and will not have a room of their own that they can lock. A sub-tenant will have their own room that they can lock. You do not need our permission to take a lodger, but you do need to ask our permission to sub-let. In both cases, we ask that you provide the name of the person concerned.
If you are claiming Housing Benefit, your entitlement could be affected if you sub-let.
Please remember that you are responsible for the behaviour of any one who lives with you.
If you live in a room in a shared house and allow another person to occupy it with you, you are breaking the terms of your tenancy and we will take steps to end it.
Self-Contained Accommodation - Joint Tenancies
More than one person may sign the tenancy of self-contained accommodation. Each ‘joint tenant’ is then equally responsible for the whole tenancy, and if one leaves and surrenders their interest, the remaining tenant is responsible for the whole tenancy and will be responsible for paying all of the rent.
Self-Contained Accommodation - Lodgers and sub-letting
If you live in self-contained accommodation, you may take a lodger or sub-let part of the property as long as it does not result in overcrowding. You may not sub-let all of it. If you do, we will take steps to end your tenancy.
A lodger will share meals with you and will not have a room of their own that they can lock. A sub-tenant will have their own room that they can lock. You do not need our permission to take a lodger, but you do need to ask our permission to sub-let. In both cases, we ask that you provide the name of the person concerned.
If you are claiming Housing Benefit, your entitlement could be affected if you sub-let.
Please remember that you are responsible for the behaviour of any one who lives with you.
What is a joint tenant? [see answer]
Self-contained Accommodation - Joint Tenancies
More than one person may sign the tenancy of self-contained accommodation. Each “joint tenant” is then equally responsible for the whole tenancy, and if one leaves and surrenders their interest, the remaining tenant is responsible for the whole tenancy and will be responsible for paying all of the rent.
More than one person may sign the tenancy of self-contained accommodation. Each “joint tenant” is then equally responsible for the whole tenancy, and if one leaves and surrenders their interest, the remaining tenant is responsible for the whole tenancy and will be responsible for paying all of the rent.