Frequently Asked Questions

Oak Tree Housing Association is partnered with Inverclyde Common Housing Register (ICHR) and These Homes. You can register online and apply for properties within the Inverclyde area and across Scotland. Once you are registered with the ICHR and These Homes you can apply for available properties from Oak Tree, Cloch, Larkfield, Link and Sanctuary Housing Associations as well as all other Scottish landlords who are These Homes partners. Full information can be found here: Apply for a House

To discuss your housing application, please contact the Inverclyde Common Housing Register by telephone on 01475 807011 or by email at info@inverclydechr.org.uk

You will need to register online with the Inverclyde Common Housing Register and These Homes. Full information can be found here: Apply for a House

Please contact your housing team on 01475 807000 for any difficulties with rent payments so that we can come to a suitable arrangement. We may be able to refer you to agencies that can assist you, including a benefit check.

We have an online portal available 24/7, 365 days of the year, with the following main services available:

• View your rent account
• Make a rent payment
• View recent repairs
• Report non-urgent repairs
• View the details we hold for you

There are also many more services available via the portal. To register for the portal, please click the 'Portal Login' button at the top right hand side of this page.

No, there are no rent free weeks. As per the terms of your tenancy agreement, your rent should be paid in advance by you on or before the first day of each month. This means that by the 28th of each month, your rent account should be showing a full month's rent in credit. This is to pay the rent for the coming month which is then charged on the 1st of the month.

Your housing team can put you in contact with a variety of financial advice services. Please contact your housing officer for more information.

It is important to let us know if someone moves in or out of your home, or if you would like to transfer your tenancy. Generally, you will need to ask for permission to make changes to your tenancy and/or your household. For example, if a joint tenant moves out, they would need to complete the relevant paperwork for this. All changes to your household should be reported including those who are not joint tenants such as births, deaths or grown up children moving out of the property.

You may keep a domestic pet, providing your home is suitable and it does not cause a nuisance to your neighbours or damage to your home or garden. If you have a dog or decide to get one during your tenancy, you must advise the Association and complete a dog registration form. The form will include details of the dog in your household and this information will be held on your file. Some of our properties currently have a no dogs policy so please check this first. Please be aware of the gevernment requirements for ownership of an XL bully dog.

Dog fouling outwith common Oak Tree Housing Association areas should be reported to the Inverclyde Council Dog Warden service on 01475 717171.

Unfortunately we do not provide cellars with our properties.

The environmental service charge is for common services such as landscaping. The environmental service charge is included as part of your monthly rent charge.

Unfortunately the right to buy scheme has ended and it is no longer possible to purchase your property.

If you have an anti-social neighbour, please report this to your housing team on 01475 807000 or by emailing info@oaktreeha.org.uk. This can then be investigated by the team. You should also contact the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or the Community Wardens on 0800 01 317 01 if you witness any anti-social behaviour.

If you are unable to clean the common areas, you could ask a friend or family member to assist if possible. Alternatively, there are various cleaning services available in the area which may be able to assist.

If you struggle to take your bin in and out and do not have anyone who can assist you with this, you can contact Inverclyde Council's Cleansing Department to discuss any alternative arrangements.

In most circumstances there is no issue, however you are required to complete a CCTV request form. If permission is granted, you are then required to submit the images that your camera is capturing to ensure you are not invading your neighbours privacy.

Drug dealing is a police matter and all concerns should be reported to Police Scotland by dialling 101. You can report anonymously if you wish to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Crimestoppers is an independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously.

Full information on how to report an emergency repair can be found here: Report a Repair

Full information on our repairs service can be found here: Reactive Repairs

A gas safety check will be carried out annually. Oak Tree Housing Association has to comply with a number of legal requirements which apply to all tenant's homes where gas appliances are provided. This includes gas central heating and gas fires. The regulations are designed to ensure that your system is in a safe working order at the start of your tenancy and throughout. Regular maintenance also makes sure that your system is working efficiently which saves you money on your gas bills.

Yes. If you wish to make any alterations to your home, please contact us and we will send you an alterations form. The most common alteration requests we receive are for showers, laminate flooring, garden sheds and the erection of a satelite dish.

The Association work closely with the Inverclyde Centre for Independent Living (ICIL) who have trained Occupational Therapists (OT's) who can assess the particular needs of individuals to determine what adaptations are best suited to them. If you believe you may benefit from this service, please contact the ICIL on 01475 714350 to arrange for an OT to visit and assess requirements. If the OT considers an adaptation will be of benefit, then a referral will be made to the Association. Typical adaptations are over-bath showers, level access showers, wet floor areas, internal and external handrails, and access ramps.

Please contact us and we will arrange for an information pack to be sent to you. The pack provides background information about Oak Tree Housing Association and also describes the role and responsibilities of a voluntary Committee Member.

You can find drawings showing exactly what common areas Oak Tree Housing Association are responsible for here: Landscape Drawings

Full information on how to pay your invoice can be found here: Make a Factoring Payment