Applicants must be of limited means and reside either within any of the Parishes of Lingfield, Dormansland, Felbridge, Crowhurst or Horne or in the London Borough of Lewisham (with preference being given to those persons resident in the former Metropolitan Borough of Deptford).

The minimum age for a resident/s at the time of taking up occupation is 60 years. The accommodation is suitable for either a married couple or single person. In the case of a married couple one has to be 60 years of age or over with the other spouse being aged not less than 55 years.

William Buckwell Almshouses does not have a Warden (resident or otherwise) to oversee matters. Residents are expected to be able to look after themselves and maintain an independent lifestyle. Applicants will be required to complete a Health Questionnaire and provide contact details of their GP. The Clerk or Trustees will contact your GP for a full medical report should you be recommended for appointment to a flat. This is to confirm that the resident is able to look after him/ herself and is not suffering from any disability which might require special attention.

When a unit or flat becomes vacant, an application form can be completed and sent to the Clerk.  Application forms can be downloaded from here.  Once the deadline has been reached for all application forms to be returned, the Clerk will then contact those that are interested and invite them for a chat and informal interview with 3 or 4 of the Trustees.  

Following the interviews, the Trustees will then make a decision on who to award the benefit of the unit/flat to on a conditional basis (confirmed once a satisfactory report from the applicants’ doctor has been received together with the result of a satisfactory background check).

Residents are required to pay a weekly maintenance contribution (WMC).  The amount varies depending on the unit/flat but is currently in the region of £127.  The charges are reviewed annually. Residents become beneficiaries of the charity and are not tenants. A form of licence must be signed, and residents must also sign to say that they will abide by the rules and regulations pertaining to the Almshouses. The Trustees require that the WMC is paid in advance by Standing Order to the Trustees’ bank account and it is preferred that it is set up as a monthly payment.

Many residents qualify for housing benefit and the current system with Tandridge District Council is that this is paid directly to the Trustees’ bank account.

The WMC covers the cost of the water rates, Concessionary TV Licence (if under 75), maintenance and upkeep of the building and communal garden upkeep.  All residents are responsible for the cost of their own gas and electric, Council Tax and upkeep of rear private garden.  If needed units/flats are redecorated between residents and otherwise deemed as necessary by the Trustees. Units/flats are provided with carpets and curtains or blinds. Residents should not make any alterations, carry out redecoration or install shelving, etc, without the prior permission of the Trustees.

Whilst telephone points are provided, the Trustees cannot take any responsibility for ensuring a connection and residents must make their own arrangements for this with a telecom provider.

Whilst the information contained in this document was correct at the time of writing the Trustees may alter the detailed arrangements for the running of the Almshouses at any time. This will not normally be done without consultation or sufficient notice unless it is beyond the control of the Trustees.