Ramsey Town Commissioners is urging applicants on its housing waiting list to notify the Commission of any changes in circumstances.

The move comes after 21 applicants were removed from the list between April and October this year on the following grounds:

- For failing to return the annual housing review form (8);
- For exceeding the permitted income level (7;
- For holding savings over the permitted limit (1);
- Being a property owner (1);
- Housed by the Department of Infrastructure (1);
- Transferred to the Department of Infrastructure waiting list (1);
- Living in public sector supported housing in Douglas (1);
- Declining the offer of four Ramsey Town Commissioners’ tenancies (1).

Lead member for housing Tony Harmer said: ‘With demand far outstripping supply Ramsey Town Commissioners must always apply the most rigorous of criteria as determined by the Department of Infrastructure before an applicant can be accepted onto the housing waiting list.

‘Currently we have 111 applicants on that list: 72 for one-bedroom properties, 35 for two bedrooms and four for three to four bedroom homes. This excludes applications for sheltered housing for the elderly, which is administered by the Ramsey and Northern Districts Housing Committee.

‘Importantly, once accepted onto the list, applicants must advise the Commission of any changes in their circumstances which could either alter their assessment of housing need or render them ineligible for consideration. Only by robustly monitoring the waiting list can we, as a responsible local authority, manage our housing stock in a way that protects the vulnerable and is fair to all would-be tenants.’