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Apply for a home

We have a range of homes to suit different budgets and circumstances, from affordable flats and family homes to apartments in like-minded communities for the over 55s.

If you are looking for a safe and sound home with a decent landlord and low-cost rent, you have come to the right place.

  • Social rent homes are for people on lower incomes, and rents for social homes are significantly lower than private rents
  • Almost anyone can apply for social housing
  • We let most of our homes through a local choice-based lettings (CBL) scheme
  • Our homes are in high demand and renting can sometimes take a while. We offer other options, such as swapping homes, low-cost home ownership, and adapting your existing property that you may want to consider.

How to apply

Go to the choice-based letting (CBL) scheme that covers the area where you want to live.

Complete the online housing application form on your preferred choice-based letting (CBL) scheme.

You will need to provide identification and other information to support your application.

This might include information about your income, outgoings, and connection to the area.

Once your choice-based letting scheme has emailed you to let you know if your application has been successful, you can start to view available properties on your choice-based letting scheme website.

Properties are always being added, so it is worth regularly checking to ensure you don’t miss out on your ideal home.

View available properties

 

If you are interested in a property, express an interest in it (place a bid) via your account on the choice-based letting scheme website.
Bid on a property

We will arrange a viewing if your expression of interest is successful. 

If you want the property, we will agree on a sign-up date.

On the moving-in day, your housing officer will meet with you to hand over the keys and welcome you to your new home.

Frequently asked questions

Our homes are in high demand, and renting a property through a choice-based letting scheme can sometimes take a while as they are allocated based on need. Choice-based letting schemes list average waiting times on their websites, and the time will vary dependent on location and type of property.

To help offer more people the opportunity to rent a low-cost home, we also offer a limited number of properties that you can rent directly with us and are available immediately.

These are usually much quicker to rent than going through a choice-based letting scheme, and the eligibility criteria are much more flexible.

We also have some other options you may want to consider that may help you get you moving more quickly.

These include:

  • Mutual exchange
  • Downsizing or transferring
  • Shared ownership
  • Independent living schemes for those over 55
  • Adapting your existing property you rent with us to make it more suited to your needs.

We have safe and secure homes to rent to meet every need, subject to availability. You will also have the added peace of mind that you’ll have a responsible landlord providing quality tenancy services.

You won’t need a bond or deposit. We offer homes to rent at much more affordable rates - and more security - than renting from a private landlord, offering:

  • On-call repairs and maintenance service
  • Opportunities to get involved with the way your home and community are managed
  • Access to services such as estate caretakers and support such as making sure you get all the benefits you are entitled to
  • Rents that are regulated and significantly lower than private let
  • A ‘home for life’ once you have successfully completed your starter tenancy
  • No deposit or bond required
  • A quality service you would expect from an award-winning, accredited and regulated landlord.

Social rent homes are significantly lower than private rents and do not require a deposit or bond. The government also limits rent increases.

In 2021/22, England’s average weekly social rent was £94.31. However, the rent will depend on the area and type of property and may be less than this.

One of the most important things when considering moving house is knowing whether you can afford the rent, bills and other living costs.

Our website has some information to help you determine your monthly expenditure, how to balance your income and outgoings, and whether you can afford to move home.

If you are homeless or being threatened with homelessness, you should contact the housing department at your local council immediately.

Please do not leave it until the last minute, and do not permanently leave your home until you are legally obliged to do so (usually by court order), as this may be detrimental to any application for assistance you make.

Our charity, Key Unlocking Futures, can support you if you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness or domestic abuse. Visit www.keycharity.org.uk

You can log into your Select Move, MyHomeChoice or other choice-based letting account online and see the status of your application. Once you are made active, you will be able to start placing bids on properties.

If you have forgotten your login details, please visit your choice-based letting scheme website. If you still need help logging in, please contact us.

Our homes are in demand, and a suitable one can take some time to become available. We also have some other options you may want to consider that may help you get you moving more quickly.

These include:

We also have a small number of properties that we let directly. Chat online with our team to find out more, or contact us.

Applying for a home information

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