Choice Based Lettings
Choice based lettings (CBL) is a new way for social housing to be let, which aims to give housing applicants a greater choice over where they live. Empty properties are advertised and let through the Home4U 
scheme.
Housing applicants can express an interest in (or ‘bid’ for) properties which meet their needs, so a single person can bid for a studio or one bedroom property, while families can bid for larger homes. The applicant bidding with the highest priority will normally be offered the property.
How the scheme works
Empty properties are advertised fortnightly, from Friday. Applicants have until the following Wednesday 2pm to bid for up to three properties which meet their needs. For further information on how to bid, refer to the Info4U user guide on the Home4U page.
The top few applicants who bid with the highest priority will view the property, then the applicant with the highest priority will normally be offered the property.
Some properties may not be advertised through the scheme, where there are special circumstances.
CBL does not mean that there are more properties available, but it is a more open and accessible way of allocating the same number of properties, and giving people more choice about where they live. Housing will still go to those in greatest need, but lower priority applicants may be successful with lower demand properties.
Only applicants registered on the Common Housing Register are able to bid for properties in North Herts. If you wish to bid for properties in Stevenage, you should contact Stevenage Homes www.stevenagehomes.org.uk .
