Frequently Asked Questions

If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for just call our team on 020 8347 3680

Trees Extra Care

Who provides the services at Trees?

Hill Homes is the landlord and support provider at Trees. If you are offered an apartment within Trees, you will be asked to sign an Assured Tenancy. This tenancy will give you the right to live in peaceful occupation within your apartment, with rights and responsibilities as a Hill Homes’ tenant.

Hill Homes Care Ltd (a subsidiary of Hill Homes) is the care provider at Trees. They are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide domiciliary care.

How many apartments are there and are they furnished?

There are 40 self-contained apartments, 19 two-beds and 21 one-beds.  Each apartment is provided with an oven, a hob and a fridge freezer, but is otherwise unfurnished.  The building is fully wheelchair accessible.

What support and care will be provided at the scheme?

The Trees care and support service will operate 24 hours a day/365 days a year.

The staff will provide ‘social support’ to help tenants carry on in their daily lives and to live independently in their accommodation and local community. Core support can consist of anything from reminders about pre-arranged appointments to booking transport or helping you get involved in the local community 

Hill Homes Care Ltd.’s range of personal care services provides help with physical assistance, prompting and supervision covering for activities including:

  • washing/bathing
  • dressing
  • making a meal
  • cleaning
  • laundry
  • mobility assistance

Staff are on site 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, including a waking night service. This ensures staff are available to respond in the event of an emergency, providing you with peace of mind.

Additional care and support hours can be purchased if required.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Tenants must be aged 65 or over, and be assessed by our staff as needing a minimum 7 hours a week additional care and support. 

What are the charges?

Rent – this pays for your right to occupy your apartment and for Hill Homes’ responsibilities to maintain and repair it. This also pays for Hill Homes’ housing management service.

Service charge – this pays for a number of items including:

  • all services relating to the upkeep of the communal areas e.g. gardening, cleaning, lift and fire system servicing; 
  • utilities to communal areas
  • the purchase and upkeep of communal furniture.

You will be provided with an annual statement detailing the make up of your service charge.

Support charge – this covers the core social support provided by staff and the cost of the activities, including a full-time Activities Coordinator.

Core Care charge – this pays for the core service provided by Hill Homes Care Ltd and is paid directly to them. It covers the cost of having staff available 24/7 for emergencies.

Are there any other costs?

Costs of additional care and support hours are payable to the Care Provider – either Hill Homes Care Ltd or an alternative external service.

Council Tax is payable to the Local Authority. Currently the banding is band E for two-bedroom apartments and band D for one-bedroomed apartments.

Each tenant is responsible for their own TV licence, charged at the Concessionary rate.

If you require a phone line or internet connection you will need to organise these yourself, although public Wi-Fi is available in the Lounge area.

Will Hill Homes be able to help new tenants to move in to the scheme?

Hill Homes and your social worker (if you have one) will be able to support you with advice and guidance, but will not be able to provide practical help to assist you to pack up your belongings in your current home or the actual move to Trees. 

Our staff will help you settle into your new home at Trees. If you require help with tasks such as assembling flat pack furniture, our caretaker can assist with this for a small charge.

Is telecare/assistive technology fitted in each apartment?

Yes, a modern community alarm system has been fitted throughout the scheme.

Each apartment has a door entry system and an emergency pullcord module. There are pullcord modules in the communal areas and each tenant is provided with a neck pendant. 

If a needs assessment indicates that extra items of telecare equipment would support a tenant to maintain their independence within the scheme, Hill Homes will work with Haringey Council to provide these.  There may be a charge to the tenant for the purchasing of additional items.

Can I continue with my current care provider once I move into Trees?

When you sign a tenancy at Trees, you are agreeing to receiving core care and support from us. You do have the right to employ your own care provider for your personalised care package. If this is something you wish to do, this will be discussed with you during your assessment.

Is there a programme of activities at the scheme?

We employ an Activities Coordinator who arranges a diverse range of activities programmed to meet tenants’ needs. In addition we support you to participate in activities and events in the local community.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, though you do need to request permission from us before bringing a pet to live in your apartment.

Is smoking permitted within the scheme?

Smoking is not permitted in communal areas. However, you are able to smoke in your apartment. You are asked not to smoke whilst our staff are in your apartment supporting or caring for you.

Will medical or nursing services be provided at the scheme?

No. We can support you to access the medical services you need but we do not provide medical or nursing care. 

Can I have my own phone and satellite TV?

Yes, you are free to organise these but you will need to pay the associated bills. Trees has a communal Sky satellite dish that your service will be connected to. Individual satellite dishes are not permitted.

Nuffield Lodge

Who provides the services at Nuffield Lodge?

Hill Homes is the landlord and support provider at Trees. If you are offered an apartment within Trees, you will be asked to sign an Assured Tenancy. This tenancy will give you the right to live in peaceful occupation within your apartment, with rights and responsibilities as a Hill Homes’ tenant.

How many apartments are there and are they furnished?

There are 25 self-contained apartments – 19 studios and 6 one-beds. Each apartment is provided with an oven, a hob and a fridge freezer, but is otherwise unfurnished.

What support is provided at the scheme?

Our Housing Support Officer is on site for three hours each morning, Monday-Friday. Outside of these hours, Haringey’s Safe & Sound service provides cover in case of an emergency. 

What are the eligibility criteria?

Tenants must be aged 65 or over, and be assessed by our housing team as being suitable for sheltered accommodation. This assessment will be based upon information provided by applicants.

Each apartment is suitable for single occupancy only.

What are the charges?

Charges at Nuffield Lodge are:

Rent – this pays for your right to occupy your apartment and for Hill Homes’ responsibilities to maintain and repair it.

Service charge – this pays for a number of items including:

  • all services relating to the upkeep of the communal areas e.g. gardening, cleaning, lift and fire system servicing; 
  • utilities to communal areas
  • the purchase and upkeep of communal furniture.

You will be provided with an annual statement detailing the make up of your service charge.

Are there any other costs?

Council Tax is payable to the Local Authority. Currently the banding is band C.

Each tenant is responsible for their own electricity bills, TV licence, and water rates.

Will Hill Homes be able to help new tenants to move in to the scheme?

Hill Homes and your social worker (if you have one) will be able to support you with advice and guidance, but will not be able to provide practical help to assist you to pack up your belongings in your current home or the actual move to Nuffield Lodge. 

Our staff will help you settle into your new home at Nuffield Lodge. If you require help with tasks such as assembling flat pack furniture, our caretaker can assist with this for a small charge.

Is telecare/assistive technology fitted in each flat and how easily can extra items be added?

Yes, a modern community alarm system has been fitted throughout the scheme.

Each apartment has a door entry system and an emergency pullcord module. There are pullcord modules in the communal areas and each tenant is provided with a neck pendant. 

Is there a programme of activities at the scheme?

We employ an Activities Coordinator who arranges a diverse range of activities programmed to meet tenants’ needs. Many of these are held at Trees, our sister property in Highgate – you are welcome to attend any of these free of charge.

In addition we support you to participate in activities and events in the local community.

Is smoking permitted within the scheme?

Smoking is not permitted in communal areas. However, tenants will be able to smoke in their apartments. We do ask you not to smoke whilst staff are inside your apartment.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, though you do need to request permission from us before bringing a pet to live in your apartment. 

Will medical or nursing services be provided at the scheme?

No. We can support you to access the medical services you need but we do not provide medical or nursing care. 

If you do have additional care or support needs, including for the short-term, our subsidiary company Hill Homes Care Ltd is registered with the CQC to provide domiciliary care and their staff can support you in your home at Nuffield Lodge.