Can you tell me about the ways available to pay the rent for my council house and/or garage?

You can pay by direct debit or standing order, at any post office, at any outlet displaying the Paypoint logo, on the Internet using a credit or debit card, or by telephoning our 24 hour telephone payment service using a credit or debit card. You could also post a cheque in. We also have cash and cheque payment facilities at Bury Town Hall, the Whittaker Street office in Radcliffe and at the Longfield Centre in Prestwich. Non-cash payments can be made at Prestwich, Ramsbottom, Tottington and Whitefield libraries.
Contact: North (Bury, Unsworth, Chesham, Moorside, Tottington, Ramsbottom) & South (Radcliffe, Whitefield, Prestwich):686 8000

My neighbours’ dog keeps barking when they go out. What can I do about it?

If a dog is barking all day, we will send out diary sheets. You should use these to record dates and times of the occurrence and return them to us. We would then use the evidence provided to take action against the tenant for breach of tenancy conditions if we felt this was appropriate. You could telephone the local RSPCA if you think the dog is being neglected.
Contact: Anti Social Behaviour Team on 686 8000

My neighbours play loud music until midnight when they are in? What are the rules on noise nuisance?

Our tenancy agreement requires our tenants not to cause a nuisance to neighbours. Whilst neighbours are expected to tolerate differences in lifestyle, this would probably be classed as unacceptable. We would again send out diary sheets as above. We can also install noise recording equipment in your home to record any noise. We can use this as evidence in any subsequent court case, assuming we get good evidence to use.
Contact: Anti Social Behaviour Team on 686 8000

How do I go about finding out the price at which I could buy my property?

All you have to do is to complete a Right to Buy application form which we can post out to you. If you find it difficult to understand, come in and see us and we will help you fill it in. When you have done this we will arrange to have your property valued and surveyed, if necessary. When this has been done we will then make you an offer telling you:
• how much your property was valued at;
• how much discount you are entitled to; and
• how much you are being offered your property at.
Contact: House Sales on 686 8000

Can my son / daughter / boyfriend etc. buy my property for me?

As the tenant of the property you must be included in the purchase of the property. If a family member / partner etc does not live at the property they cannot be included on the Right to Buy. Only people registered with Elections as living at the property will be allowed to join you in the purchase. However, a family member / partner etc. who is not registered as living at your property can put up the finance for the purchase, but still will not be named on the sale papers as a joint purchaser.
Contact: House Sales on 686 8000

Can you recommend a solicitor or building society that will help me with my purchase?

It is not good policy to advise tenants on any particular company or lending institution as this could be seen as being biased against others. We would suggest that you shop around for the best deal and perhaps take advice from other family members or friends who may have a good service from a particular company.
Contact: House Sales on 686 8000

Can I have a copy of the Housing Strategy?

Yes. You can obtain a copy by phoning Bury Housing Services’ Strategy, Planning and Research Team on 0161 253 6796.

How long does it take to get a Council house, and which areas are the quickest to get a house in?

The length of time you may wait will vary a lot depending on the type of property you want and the area you want to live in.
You need to get onto the Housing waiting list by completing an application form.
If you know the type of property and the area you need, staff in the Access and Assessment Team within Housing Services can check their property profiles and Choice Based Lettings information for up to date details about waiting times and availability/turnover of property.
(NB. Information about the Choice Based Lettings scheme is available on the Intranet and Internet under Housing)
Contact: Access and Assessment Team on 253 5251

I’ve seen an empty property, can I put my name down for it ?

Some empty properties are advertised through the Choice Based Lettings scheme, so you can check the display of properties available under this scheme. If the property you’re interested in is there, you can put your name down to be considered for it. You will need to fill in an application form as well so that you can be registered (see question above)
If the empty property is not available under the Choice Based Lettings scheme, you are advised to fill in an application form to be registered on the Housing waiting list so that you can be considered for future vacancies.
(NB. Information about the Choice Based Lettings scheme is available on the Intranet and Internet under Housing)
Contact: Access and Assessment Team on 253 5251

My landlord has given me notice, do I have to leave? (for private sector tenants)

Since February 1997 all tenancies created in the private rented sector are automatically Assured Shorthold Tenancies (whether you have a written agreement or not), unless the landlord has agreed with you to create an Assured Tenancy (this is a rare occurrence).
To bring the tenancy to an end (other than for a breach of the tenancy) the landlord is required to serve you with a minimum of 2 months notice.
The process a landlord must go through to recover possession of your home is as follows:-
• serve a valid notice
• obtain a possession order from the Court
• issue an eviction warrant that must be executed by a Court appointed bailiff
Contact: Homeless Prevention Team on 253 5537

I wish to make a Data Protection Request, How do I do this?

Our data protection policy can be made available to you. Please visit our Privacy Policy page for more information.