Tonic@Bankhouse Rental FAQs

*Please note that rental applications are currently closed.

What is Tonic@Bankhouse?

Bankhouse is an affordable retirement community of 84 apartments, across 14 floors, located on Albert Embankment in Vauxhall, Lambeth. Tonic has 17 apartments for shared ownership and 2 for rental on the top four floors. The building is shared with Riverside, a social landlord who have 59 rental apartments and 6 shared ownership apartments. 

Tonic@Bankhouse is the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirming retirement community. Tonic brings our LGBTQ+ affirming offer to Bankhouse, with our on site Community Manager, who facilitates our resident-led events and activities programme, working alongside the other Bankhouse staff. 

Tonic is working in partnership with Riverside to ensure that our LGBTQ+ affirming approach is for all residents of Bankhouse, regardless of their tenure or landlord. Tonic has provided training for all the staff at Bankhouse to equip them with the knowledge and skills to provide quality care and support to older LGBTQ+ people.

Bankhouse was designed as a retirement community by architects Foster + Partners and consists of high-quality one and two bedroom self contained apartments, many with balconies with stunning views. Bankhouse also has community spaces to meet with other people, a bar and restaurant, a community lounge overlooking the River Thames, a floating garden and a roof terrace with incredible views of central London, an overnight guest suite, a laundry room and bike storage. All areas of the building are fully accessible to wheelchair users. 

Bankhouse has 24 hour on-site staff and optional care packages from Care Outlook are available.

What is a retirement community?

Retirement Communities combine high quality housing options for older people with tailored support services. They allow residents to rent or own a property to maintain their privacy and independence, with the reassurance of 24-hour on-site staff, communal facilities, and optional care and support as needed.

Retirement communities may also be referred to as, extra care housing, housing-with-care, assisted or independent living or retirement villages.

What does LGBTQ+ affirming mean?

LGBTQ+ affirming means that our approach to services and support is not just be “LGBTQ+-friendly” but genuinely affirming of the lives, histories, needs and desires of LGBTQ+ people. The term does not imply exclusion of those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, but actively values those who respect and celebrate LGBTQ+ people.

Why is Tonic now offering rental apartments?

Tonic had always intended to offer rental options, however affordable rented housing can only be provided by a Registered Provider of Social Housing (RP). Tonic applied to become an RP in 2021, but the process has been very lengthy as Tonic is a new housing provider. Tonic has an agreement with Lambeth Council and Riverside, that should any of the shared ownership properties remain unsold these could be rented, subject to planning consent.

Tonic has now obtained planning consent to rent 2 apartments and Riverside is leasing these as the RP, until Tonic becomes an RP. The tenancy agreement will be with Riverside, and Tonic is the managing agent allocating the properties and being the main contact for residents.

Can I rent at Tonic? Am I eligible?

To be eligible for Tonic’s affordable rented accommodation, applicants must:

● be aged 55 years or older

● be an LGBTQ+ person (in accordance with Tonic’s objectives) or be someone who would benefit from living in an LGBT+ affirming retirement community as opposed to other forms of housing

● be unable to have their needs met by housing offered on the open market (including shared ownership)

● be able to pay the rent and other service charges

Tonic rental apartments do not require a nomination from Lambeth Council.

I am 65 but my partner is 40. Can we both move into the property?

Yes, however there are restrictions in the planning consent and lease that restrict the tenancy to people aged 55+. This means that only the person aged 55+ can be the tenant.

How much do the apartments cost per month? 

The Rent is set at £1,170.30 per month. This is the affordable rent figure set by Riverside and is the same figure for all one-bedroom rental properties in Bankhouse. 

In addition to the Rent, there will be a Service Charge and an Administration Fee. You can find out all about these charges here

Housing Benefit can be claimed for the Rent and Service Charge, if the tenant is eligible to receive these benefits.

What kind of tenancy is Tonic offering?

Tonic’s rental properties at Bankhouse will be offered initially on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (Starter Tenancy) which will convert to an Assured Tenancy, usually after 12 months, if the tenant meets the requirements set out in the Tenancy Agreement. An example Tenancy Agreement detailing the tenancy terms, duties and rights can be found here.

Please note if you have an Assured Tenancy or a Secure Tenancy this gives you more rights than an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and you should seek housing advice (e.g CAB, Age Concern, Shelter) before considering taking on a tenancy with less rights.

Is Tonic pet friendly? 

Yes, however, this will depend on the property and the pet you have. Please see our Pet Policy here

Will there be more rental properties available in the future?

Tonic is working to provide more rental opportunities in future but we do not have a timescale for this yet. We will notify everyone on our Register of Interest as soon as we have any further rental opportunities available.

What if I am not eligible for Tonic@Bankhouse?

You can still register your interest in living in a Tonic community even if you are not eligible for the apartments at Bankhouse. Tonic intends to follow on from Bankhouse with further schemes, and telling us what you want and need is important to inform this. Being on our Register of Interest means we can contact you about future opportunities.

-

We may add further information if questions are raised that we think may be useful to all applicants.