onthemove

Choice Based Lettings – or CBL – is an approach to letting homes to give you more choice in where you live.

CBL allows you to play a greater part in the process of selecting your home. The Council will not match you to an empty property, but as with private renting, available homes will be advertised and you can express an interest in properties you are eligible for. In CBL expressing an interest is called “bidding”. Bidding does not involve any money.

The properties will be offered to the bidder with the highest priority (based upon “Bands” of need) with the earliest “Effective Date”. However there may be exceptions which might include where an applicant requires ground floor accommodation or where a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) is in place. LLPs are commonly used by landlords, for example, to reduce Anti-Social Behaviour or to reduce the number of children living on an estate.

CBL will not increase the number of homes available for rent and it will still be a challenge to meet the high demand for social housing. However, you will see all properties that are available and will be able to choose which suitable homes you “bid" for.