FAQs for current guardians

At the start of the year we reviewed licence fees at all of the properties we manage. We do this on an annual basis and any fee adjustments take into account any specific changes in the local rental market. They may also take into account changes in our costs (for example, contractors used for repairs, equipment, insurance). Any adjustments we make help us to continue delivering safe and inexpensive homes for guardians passionate about volunteering.

As we aim to offer housing at half to one-third lower than what you’d pay in the private rental sector, our fees have, in the main, increased this year by less than 5.5%. Most increases are smaller than this and some fees are not affected. In some cases, there are some licence fee decreases.

If you would like to stay in your current property at the new licence fee, you will need to sign a new licence agreement by midnight on 1st September.

If you decide not to stay and wish to give the required notice to Dot Dot Dot before your fees change, you will have until midnight on 1st September to do so.

We have given guardians over thirteen weeks’ notice before the licence fees change on 1 October 2024.

There are a couple of options available to you. One is that we can try to move you to a property with a lower licence fee. We will do our best to accommodate you, but other housing options with us cannot be guaranteed. If you’re not able to afford the new licence fee and we don’t have other housing options available, you will need to give us notice and move out of the property.

You could also consider sharing with a friend or a partner. However, they would need to apply to be a guardian by first attending a virtual introduction session to Dot Dot Dot, and then filling out our online application form. If successful at the application stage, they would need to visit the property to ensure that it is suitable. If this is an option you’d like to take, we’d advise that you act quickly and get your friend or partner to apply.

When you signed your licence agreement, you agreed to clause 1.1 which states that Dot Dot Dot is able to change the licence fee with four weeks’ notice. Giving you over thirteen weeks enables you to take some time to consider your options, and find alternative accommodation if you need to.

If you don’t sign a new licence agreement, or give us notice to move out within the appropriate time frame, you will be issued with a Notice to Quit from Dot Dot Dot.

If you want to share the property with a friend or partner, this is possible. However, they would need to apply to be a guardian by first attending a virtual introduction session to Dot Dot Dot, and then filling out our online application form. If successful at the application stage, they would need to visit the property to ensure that it is suitable. If this is an option you’d like to take, we’d advise that you act quickly and get your friend or partner to apply online. Please also let your service coordinator know that this is an option you are considering.

We hold a security payment equal to five weeks of licence fees. If your deposit increases, we will issue a ‘top up’ payment request via invoice. If there is a decrease in your deposit, this will be refunded.

You may be asked for more than the top-up amount owed for this year. This is because you did not pay the top-up invoice last year when your licence fee changed. We ask that you make payment promptly for the total amount owed, so that your debt does not build up.

Dot Dot Dot undertakes a review of our licence fees every twelve months. Current guardians will be given at least two month’s notice before their licence fees change and new guardians will not face changes for at least six months.

We look at prices in the private rental sector and remove at least one-third of the cost to bring monthly payments down to guardianship levels. Often, our licence fee includes council tax, and in some cases, utilities too.

Property guardianship is a temporary arrangement and all guardians agree to a flexible rolling contract in which 28 days’ notice can be given at any time. This is why we ask all guardians to prepare a thorough move-on plan – so we know that if guardians move out of the property, they will still be able to support themselves and continue with any plans they have made.