Choice based lettings explained

In 2001, the Government changed the way that social housing is allocated.  In the majority of areas, the old points based allocations systems have been replaced by a Choice Based Lettings system which gives applicants more choice over the property they will be allocated.   However, there are some Local Authorities that do not have a scheme in place so still use a points based system.

How it works

1. You apply to the Choice Based Lettings system or Local Authority provider for your area, either online, or through a paper application.  A full list of areas and current Choice Based Letting systems is included below for your reference.
2. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a bidding reference which you will be able to use to bid for available properties. You will also receive a banding priority based on your housing need.
3. All available properties will be listed online and in some council and housing association offices and in property magazines for one or two weeks. During this time, potential customers can bid for properties they are eligible for. You will be able to make up to 3 bids on different properties at any given time.
4. Once you have bid for a property, the scheme will make a list of everyone who has placed a bid, then decide who has the highest priority. Your priority for housing is decided by what band you are in. The successful bidder will be then be contacted by either the local authority or the relevant landlord.

For more information on Choice Based Lettings, contact our Customer Service Team.

Complete list of areas and CBL schemes:

Amber Valley Borough Council
Ashfield District Council
Barking & Dagenham
Barnet
Bassetlaw District Council
Bedford
Bolsover District Council
Breckland (Thetford)
Brent
Broadland
Bromley
Broxbourne
Broxtowe Borough Council
Cambridge City
Camden
Charnwood Borough Council
Chesterfield
Corby Borough Council
Croydon
Dacorum
Derby City Council
Derbyshire Dales
Ealing
East Cambs
East Herts
East Northamptonshire
East Staffordshire
Elmbridge
Enfield
Erewash Borough Council
Fenland
Forest Heath
Gedling Borough Council
Greenwich
Hackney
Hammersmith & Fulham
Haringey
Harrow
Havering
Hertsmere
High Peak
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Huntingdon
Islington
Kensington & Chelsea
Kettering Borough Council
Kings Lynn & West Norfolk
Kingston upon Thames
Lambeth
Leicester City Council
Lewisham
Lichfield
Mansfield District Council
Merton
Newham
North East Derbyshire District Council
North Herts
North West Leics
Northampton
Norwich City
Nottingham City Council
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council
Redbridge
Richmond upon Thames
Rushcliffe Borough Council
South Cambs
South Derbyshire
South Kesteven District Council
South Norfolk
Southwark
Spelthorne
St Edmundsbury
Stafford Borough Council
Surrey Heath
Sutton
Tamworth
Three Rivers
Tower Hamlets
Uttlesford
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Wellingborough Borough Council
Welwyn & Hatfield
Westminster