Oldham Arms Length Management Organisation was formed in April 2002. The ALMO was set up to manage Council owned dwellings in Oldham. It is independent and manages the housing stock on behalf of the Council. It has a Main Board made up of 6 Councillors, 6 Independents and 6 Tenants. There are also 6 Local Area Boards which are also made up of equal numbers of Councillors, Independents and Tenants.
Many staff who formally worked in the Housing Department and Property Services within the Council transferred to the ALMO. The ALMO has also taken over the District and Area Housing offices from the Council. If you wish to find out more about the ALMO or attend one of the Board meetings then contact Tel: 0161 770 4552.
Q. How do I apply for housing?
Contact any District or Area Housing Office and ask for an application form.
Visit “Instant Homes” shops at Manchester Chambers, Town Centre, or Royton Market Square to register. Alternatively call the freephone number (Tel: 0800 328 7788) or register online at www.instanthomes.org
We have over 18,000 homes and usually have properties available in most areas which are ready to move in immediately.
Q. How do I request a repair to my home?
Contact the District or Area Housing Office nearest to where you live either by telephone or in person and explain:
Your name
Your address
Nature of your request e.g. if it is a leak, can you describe where it is coming from
Location e.g. rear of the property/ bathroom/ kitchen
When we can get access to your home e.g. Are you at home at certain times, can you leave a key with a neighbour or at the Housing Office?
A daytime telephone number you can be contacted on.
Q. How quickly will my repair work be done?
Repair works are prioritised according to the following categories:
Emergency repairs are responded to within 24 hours.
Minor work/ urgent repairs are responded to within 9 days.
New tenancy works are responded to within 21 days.
Major work/ non-urgent repairs are responded to within 63 days.
Empty property works are responded to within 7,14, 28 days.
Q. Which property can I buy under the 'Right to Buy' scheme?
You may only apply to buy the property that you have the tenancy of.
Q. How long do I have to have lived in my home to qualify for the Right to Buy?
You must have had a minimum of two years secure tenancy in the home that you would like to buy.
Q. How much discount will I get?
The amount of discount you will get depends on whether you are buying a house or a flat and on the length of time that you have been living in the property.
If you are buying a house the discount starts at 32% after two years, rising 1% per year up to a maximum of 30 years(60%).
If you are buying a flat the discount starts at 44% after two years, rising 2% per year up to a maximum of 15 years(70%).
In all cases the maximum amount of the discount is £26,000.
Q. Can my partner/relative buy with me?
A non tenant can join in as long as it is their only and principal home and that they have lived there for more than 12 months.
Q. Will the Council give me discount on a private property?
No.
Q. Will the Council give me a mortgage?
No, the Council does not provide mortgage services.
Q. What happens to repairs on my Council house once I have bought it?
You will be responsible for carrying out all repairs to your house yourself. The only work that the Council will undertake is emergency work with out which the property would not be habitable.
Q. How long does it take to process my Right to Buy application?
Your application will be processed within one month. If the application is accepted, you will be given an offer within two months if you are applying to buy a house, or three months if you are applying to buy a flat.
Once an offer has been made you have 13 weeks to accept or reject the offer.
If you choose to accept the offer you have 12 months to complete the purchase of your house.