1. home and garden

TRAHERNE COURT
HOUSING FOR PEOPLE OVER 55
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 Individual apartments
 Privacy and security for tenants
 Designed to allow for a range of social activities
 A focus on individuals and promoting independence
 Access to 24-hour emergency response
 Support for social and leisure opportunities
Who is eligible?
A single person over 55, or a household where at least one applicant is
aged 55 or over.
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STAF F AN D SUP P O RT
What staff will be available?
Project Worker – Karen Stebbings
Telephone number: 01639 635539
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
What is meant by Support?
You may have access for help with things such as; maximising
benefits and income, correspondence, budgeting, paying bills and
help with contacting other agencies if you have an assessed need.
Who will maintain my apartment?
Family Housing Association will maintain the building, services and
fittings in your apartment. You will be responsible for your own
furnishings, fixtures and decoration.
More information on the responsibilities for maintenance will be
contained in the Tenancy Agreement and Tenants Handbook.
Is there a cleaning service?
Family Housing Association will clean the communal areas and
corridors. You will be responsible for cleaning your own flat.
Can the support worker access my flat?
We hold master keys for all the flats and would only use them in an
emergency in accordance with our policies.
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TH E APA RTM EN TS
Are laundry facilities provided in the apartment?
There is a laundry room available for tenant use only. All tenants are
given a key to the laundry when they move in. Tenants can have
their own washing machines, but permission is needed for this for
the upstairs flats.
Is there a cooker, fridge and other white goods provided in each
apartment?
No. Our experience shows that tenants prefer to provide these items
themselves.
What form of heating is provided?
Heating is by Economy 10 electric storage heaters. The Project
Worker will be able to give you information on the tariffs available.
Will I be able to control my own heating?
Yes tenants will be able to control the heating in their flat.
Who will decorate the apartments?
Tenants will be responsible for the future redecoration within the
apartment but there will be no restriction on the choice of colour.
Are the apartments furnished?
No. The flats are let unfurnished. Tenants will be responsible for the
furnishings and fittings including carpets and curtains.
Can I have a pet?
Unfortunately the scheme is unsuitable for pets only assistance dogs
are allowed.
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THE BUILDING
How many apartments are there?
There are 40 one bedroom flats. There are 28 flats suitable for one
person and 12 for suitable for 2 people. These are arranged in 5 two
storey blocks.
What if I have visitors to stay?
Family and friends can stay in your apartment.
Is the building suitable for wheelchair users?
All communal areas of the building are accessible to wheelchair
users.
Are there facilities for mobility scooters?
Modern mobility scooters can be stored and charged within the flats
and it is the individual’s responsibility to maintain and charge
mobility scooters in line with manufacturers’ instructions.
Please be aware that due to fire safety regulations no mobility
scooters are allowed to be stored or charged in any communal area.
Are the rooms designed for disabled people?
Additional adaptations will be provided where there is an assessed
need. This can be discussed with the Project Worker.
Are there lifts?
No
Is there adequate parking available?
There are two car parks for tenants to use
What do I do about getting my rubbish collected?
There are 2 bin stores by Block A and 1 between Blocks C and D
where waste and recycling can be left for collection on a Wednesday.
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Items left here should be bagged up in line with the local authorities’
guidance for recycling.
What if there is a fire?
When new tenants move in they will receive detailed information
from the Project Worker about what to do in the event of a fire.
Who do I contact if I have an emergency?
A pendant lifeline can be installed once you have a landline in place.
These are linked to the Project Worker’s phone when they are on
site and to Merthyr Central Control outside of office hours. This
service is optional. Site based staff can give you more information.
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COSTS
What is included in the rent and service charge?
These include such items as maintenance, management, communal
heating and lighting, grounds maintenance, external window
cleaning and many others. A full breakdown will be given with your
tenancy agreement.
Is Council Tax Included?
No. This is payable by the tenant and is dependent on their
circumstances.
How often does the rent change?
The rent is reviewed annually.
Is the TV licence included in the charges?
No.
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SCHEME AMENITIES
Communal lounge – There is a comfortable and well-equipped
lounge with a television, DVD player, computer, pool table and
kitchen facilities.
What is the lounge used for?
The facilities are for everyone’s use
Library – The mobile library service visits Traherne Court every other
Thursday and can be found outside the office between 2.00 and
3.00pm in the afternoon. The communal lounge also has books
available for tenants to borrow and these are changed every two
months.
Gardens
The buildings are surroundings by gardens which have seats and
picnic tables.
Who looks after the gardens?
The Estates department maintain the gardens.
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SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
All the events in or outside the scheme are organised by the Tenants
Social Committee The group meets 4 times a year to organise social
events, using suggestions and ideas from all the tenants.
The group organise a number of different events throughout the
year such as trips, Easter and Christmas parties, holidays, talks, film
shows, theatre trips and fetes.
If you are interested in joining the group and becoming a member
the Project Worker - be able to help you.
Regular events taking place in the communal lounge are as follows:
Monday
Coffee morning / Breakfast club – 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Tuesday
Bingo – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday Coffee morning / Breakfast club – 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Thursday
Thursday Club – activities from 7.00pm to 10.15pm which
include darts, pool, card games, films etc.
Friday
Bingo – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Saturday
Saturday Club – activities from 7.00pm to 10.15pm which
include darts, pool, card games, films etc.
Sunday
Sunday Club – activities from 7.00pm to 10.15pm which
include darts, pool, card games, films etc.
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LOCAL AMENITIES
Where is the nearest PayPoint?
This is located in the Tesco store in Neath Abbey.
Where is the nearest bus stop?
There is a bus stop outside Flat 41. The bus Neath runs from here. On
Neath Abbey Road, there are regular services to Neath, Skewen and
Swansea.
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
There are chemists in Neath and Skewen Most will deliver
prescriptions.
Where is the nearest Doctors surgery?
The nearest surgeries can be found Skewen or Neath.
Are there any shops nearby?
There is a Tesco’s store in Neath Abbey and a variety of shops in
Neath and Skewen.
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Applying for Housing
If you would like information on applying for housing or have any
other queries, please contact
Project Worker -– Karen Stebbings
Traherne Court
Stratton Way
Neath
Swansea
SA10 7EE
Telephone: 01639 635539
Office hours: Monday to Friday – 8.30am to 4.30pm
Or
Family Housing Association, Housing Department
43 Walter Road
Swansea
SA1 5PN
Telephone No: 01792 482702
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