Choice Based Lettings FAQs

This section contains some frequently asked questions about the Allocations Policy & Choice Based Lettings (CBL).  It has been produced to help you understand the way homes are allocated by Hertsmere Borough Council.

Q: What is Choice Based Lettings?

A:  Choice -based lettings (also known as CBL) is a way of deciding who is offered a rented home that gives you more say in where you live.

Q: How is CBL different fro the old system of allocating properties?

A:  In the past, properties were allocated to those on the housing register according to need, using a points-based system.  Applicants were offered homes they may not necessarily have wanted.

Under CBL, landlords advertise their properties through the scheme and you can choose which home you are interested in applying for.  The points system has been replaced with 5 bands to reflect the priority we have given your application.

Q: What is the Housing Register?

A:  The Housing Register (HR) is a list everyone looking for affordable accommodation in Hertsmere.  It is held on computer and managed by the council.

Q: Who can join the Housing Register?

A:  As long as you are over 16yrs you can join our Register, unless:

• The council has decided that your behaviour (or a member of you households behaviour) is unacceptable and serious enough to make you unsuitable as a tenant.
• You are subject to immigration control or are not habitually resident as described by law. 

Q: What is a local connection?

A:  Local connection is where you can show one of the following, you must:

• Have lived three years out of the last five years in the borough.
• Have lived for at least 12 months in the borough
• Have permanent employment  within the borough. (Minimum 12 months)
• Have close relatives, (such as parents, adults children, brothers or sisters),  who at present live in the borough, and who have lived in the borough for at least five years.
• Have exceptional circumstances which Hertsmere considers give rise to a local connection.

If you have a local connection, you will be able to enter bands A, B, C or D.  If you cannot demonstrate a local connection it is likely you will be placed in Band E.  However, we may make exceptions for applicants in exceptional circumstances.

If you have a valid local connection but the Council considers that you have enough financial means to resolve you own housing situation you will be placed in band E.

Q: How do I join the Housing Needs Register?

A:  You need to fill out a Housing Registration application from.  These are available from the Housing Options Team at Hertsmere.  You can also apply through Herts Choice Homes Website

Q: What will happen once I am on the Housing Register?

A:  Shortly after your registration on the scheme, you will received confirmation in the post.  The letter will advise you of your registration number, your registration date (which would normally be the date we received your housing registration form), and priority band you have been placed in.  If you are eligible to apply (bid) for properties under the scheme, it will also tell you the size of property you will be allowed to apply for.

Q: How long will I have to wait on the Register?

A:  It is not possible for us to tell you how long you need to wait to be successful when applying for properties.  We have more applicants on our housing register than available properties.  If you are in the lower priority bands you may have to wait several years before being able to apply successfully.  It is important to note that not everybody on the housing register will secure housing.

Q: Will I needs to let you know of any changes in my circumstances?

A:  Once you are accepted onto our Housing Register you must advise us of any change in your circumstance as soon as possible.  For example you must let us know of:

• Any change of address
• If anybody moves in or out of your current property
• Pregnancy

• Medical conditions that are made worse because of you current home

Q: Do I need to keep in regular contact with you?

A:  if you are bidding regularly you do not need to keep in regular contact with us.  If you have not bid for any properties for a period of 6 months the Council will contact you enquiring as to whether you wish to remain on the housing register.  If you do not make contact we will review you application which may result in your application being cancelled.

Q: What happens if you cancel my housing registration application?

A:  if we cancel your Housing Register Application you will need to re-apply to us at a later date.  You will not be able to keep your former application date so you may lose the time you have already spend on the housing list.

Q: How will my application be prioritised?

A:  Your application will be placed into one of five priority bands based on an assessment of your housing need.  Applicants in band A will have the highest priority, applicants in band E the lowest.

You will also be given a priority date which initially will be the date of your application.  Should your circumstances change and you are reassessed to a higher priority band you will be given a new date.  This will be the date you were awarded the higher priority.

Q: What is a banding system?

A:  There are 5 priority bands A - E. The different bands reflect broad categories of housing need, from very high to low.  You will be placed in a band which reflect your priority and housing need.  If you are in higher band you will have greater priority for housing.

Q: What is included in the priority bands?

A:  A brief guide to how priority will be assessed is set out below:

BAND A

Include people that the Council has to house as soon as a suitable property is available, e.g. people who have an over-riding medical need.

BAND B

Includes people that the Council has to house urgently and people by law the Council must give "reasonable preference", e.g. severely overcrowded applicants.

BAND C

Includes people who have high need to move e.g. applicants assessed as lacking two or more bedrooms.

BAND D

Includes people with a medium need to move e.g. applicants with children in insecure accommodation or applicants facing financial hardship.

BAND E

Includes applicants who are assessed as being adequately housed.  This will include applicants with sufficient funds to secure appropriate housing.  Applicants with no local connection will also usually be placed. here.

If your priority changes you may move up or down the housing priority bands following assessment.

Q: How will properties be advertised?

A:  All properties which become available for letting will be advertised on the website  and in the Herts Choice Homes Magazine.  Free copies are available at Hertsmere Borough Councils area offices and local libraries.

Direct mailing of properties available will go to homeless a defined group of vulnerable people who we have agreed are unable to access the Choice Based Lettings system.  This could be if you are infirm, disabled or have learning difficulties.  This list is not exhaustive.

Q: What will happen when there is a vacant property?

A:  if your are registered and you are eligible to apply for the vacancy, you will be able to bid for the property.

Properties are advertised fortnightly, bidding will open on Friday and you will need to apply before noon the following Tuesday.

Q: How will I be able to apply?

A:  There are several options: on the website , by telephone, by text message, or, if you are vulnerable, staff will assist you in making a bid.

Q: What happens after I have bid?

A:  Applications are ranked by us according to priority band i.e. band A first and then band B, C, D, E; then the date you were placed in the band.  Applicants in Band D are prioritised according to local connection.

The person in the highest priority band with the earliest priority date will be invited to view the property.  We may shortlist between 1 and 5 applicants to view a property.  This will depend on how popular the property is.

Q: Will I qualify for sheltered accommodation?

A:  You can apply for sheltered housing if you are over 60 years of age.  We will assess your support needs and suitability for living in sheltered housing.

Q: What is Herts Choice Homes and who is involved?

A:  Herts Choice Homes is a partnership of five Councils in Hertfordshire with the shared aim of increasing mobility and choice.  This means there will be some opportunity for you to move to other areas of Hertfordshire.  The five council are: Hertsmere Borough Council, St.Albans District Council, Watford Borough Council, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, and Three Rivers District Council.