Housing Advice Service
Home Choice Lettings Team
We have now adopted a new allocations system called 'More Choice in Lettings'.
The new allocations scheme replaces the complicated points system we had until April 2005. The idea is to offer people who want to rent affordable housing more choice over which property and area they would like to live in.
Through the More Choice in Lettings scheme, available properties will be advertised in our Home Choice Magazine (available at local offices every week). Registered applicants can bid for one property advertised per week. The bids will then be short listed accordingly to priority and waiting time.
Summaries of previous successful bids for properties will show the effective date and priority of the highest bid. You will then be able to predict how long you might have to wait for a certain type of property.
Although people who want to move and those on the housing register will continue to have their needs assessed, we will act as an estate agent, advertising the homes that are available to rent.
Are my special needs considered in this new system?
The magazine will be sent to people who have a disability that affects their mobility or are vulnerable.
We will put people applying for housing into particular groups. We will tell you what group you are in for bidding arrangements. This will help you to choose homes you want to apply for and work out your chances of success.
Occasionally, people have to be rehoused on an emergency basis because it is impossible for them to stay in their current accommodation.
When this happens, we will award additional preference and we will offer the person applying accommodation outside the bidding system. So, not all properties that become available will be advertised.
We will not advertise sheltered housing and properties that have been adapted for people with special needs, and the current procedure for offering these properties will continue.
Can I bid for any property advertised?
We will only consider people who are eligible and show an interest by bidding for a property. So, for example, a single person cannot move into a large family house.
Within the groups, the person applying who has the greatest need and has been on the housing register for the longest period will usually be successful.
You can show your interest in a property by calling an automated telephone line on the internet or by using the kiosk (touch-screen computers) that will be based in council offices.
How do I join the waiting list or make a bid?
If you are currently on either our waiting list or transfer list and would like to view the available properties or make a bid, you can do so on the Home Choice website.
Welcome sessions
We currently hold tenant welcome sessions on a monthly basis with the aim to help new tenants settle into their home quicker.
Choose where you want to live|
More choice in lettings - the residents guide|
Documents
More Choice in Lettings Allocation Policy 
PDF 123K
This document outlines the policy for our scheme called More Choice in Lettings.
Please note: This policy was correct at the time of writing. Our practices are under continuous review in line with changes in legislation, government regulations and case law.
If you have any individual queries, please contact our Group Manager at the address shown.
