We are proposing that soon we will allocate all our properties through a new scheme called 'choice-based lettings'. The Government has a target that all social rented housing be allocated through choice-based letting schemes by 2010. This is a new way of finding a home to rent that allows you to apply for a home of your choice rather than having to wait for an offer of a property that we think is suitable for you.

All applicants applying to be placed onto our waiting list will be placed into a priority band depending on their housing need. Available properties will be advertised weekly with details of the property and local amenities. If you see a property advertised that you are interested in, you can 'bid' for the property. A 'bid' is your way of telling us that you would like to live in a particular property. At the end of the advertising time, the bidder with the highest housing need will be allocated the property.

The consultation process with our partners, tenants and the general public has now been carried out and we are starting to build our Choice Based Lettings scheme and IT system around the results.

The overall response to the new allocations system has been a very positive one. The openness and transparency of the process and the amount of information and feedback available within the new system was felt to be of great benefit to all applicants in enabling them to make informed choices when looking for housing.

Applications forms for the new system will be available shortly and will be sent out in the post to all who are currently on the housing waiting list. Details of where the empty properties will be advertised and training sessions for the website will sent out to all applicants before the launch date of 1 December 2008.

South Derbyshire Homefinder Bands 

The bands that we propose to use for our choice-based lettings scheme are:

• Emergency Band
• Band A
• Band B
• Band C

» More about our Homefinder Bands

» Give us your views

FAQs

Who can join the South Derbyshire Homefinder Register?

You can apply to go on the South Derbyshire Homefinder Register once you are 16. However, if you are under 18, we will expect you to attend an indepentent living interview after you register and before we offer you a home. There will be some rules around people from outside of the United Kingdom or people who behave in an unacceptable way. If you need more information please contact the Housing Register team on 01283 595778. If you only want to advertise your property for mutual exchange please go to our website www.homeswapper.co.uk, contact your landlord or call South Derbyshire Homefinder on 01283 595778.

How do I apply to join the South Derbyshire Homefinder Register?

You will need to complete a South Derbyshire Homefinder application form. The quickest way to do this will be to complete the form on our website. (This will be available after 1 December 2008.) You will also be able to get a form from:

• South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote.

The form must be completed as fully as possible so that we can consider all of your housing needs. If you do not provide all the information we ask for your form will have to be returned to you. If you require any further help you can
contact the Housing Register team on 01283 595778.

How do you assess my South Derbyshire Homefinder application?

We will assess your application form based on the answers you give to us and any other information we ask of you or get from the South Derbyshire Homefinder Landlords or other agencies. When we have finished assessing your South Derbyshire Homefinder application we will write to tell you that your application is 'active'. We will also tell you which 'band' of housing need you have been awarded. We have four bands to help categorise a variety of housing needs.
The bands are called:

• Emergency Band
• Band A
• Band B
• Band C

» More about our Homefinder Bands

How do I look for available properties?

South Derbyshire Homefinder looks to advertise available properties for at least one week. This is called an 'advertising cycle'. The advertising cycle starts at midnight on a Tuesday and ends at midnight on the following Tuesday. You can see the latest properties:

On our website: You will be able to get free access to our website at any South Derbyshire District Council library

On our property newsletters
as well as being in the South Derbyshire District Council offices, they will also be available at many community locations around the district. A summary of the locations will be available before the scheme starts.

How do I 'bid' for a property?

A 'bid' will be your way of telling us that you would like to live in a property. You will be able to 'bid' for between one and six properties on each advertising cycle by:

• Website
• Telephone: An automated telephone line is to be confirmed shortly
• Person: At the South Derbyshire District Council Offices
• Post: South Derbyshire District Council Civic Offices Civic Way Swadlincote DE11 0AH

You will have to quote your application number and date of birth of the main applicant when you bid for a property.

We propose not to accept a bid for a property for which you are not eligible. For example, if you are a couple with one child bidding for a three bed Council or housing association property you will not be eligible because you do not need all
of the bedrooms. If you bid on our website or use our automated bid hotline you will be told why you are not eligible to bid for the property.

What happens when the advertising cycle closes?

We propose that every South Derbyshire Homefinder applicant who has 'bid' for
a property is placed on a list. This is called a shortlist. A shortlist is sorted by:

• Band advertised to
• Number of verified housing needs
• Homelessness acceptance date (if it is a property advertised to
  the Emergency band)
• Band Award date

Remember
You should never assume that you will be offered a property so always look on the next advertising cycle for properties that interest you. The South Derbyshire Homefinder Landlords will have the right to 'skip' you if they do not feel you are suitable. Their decision to 'skip' you may be because of their own policies and procedures.

What happens if I am offered a property?

The South Derbyshire Homefinder Landlord will contact you directly. At all times, the South Derbyshire Homefinder Landlord is responsible for offering and allocating properties. Do not assume you will be offered a property so look in the new property newsletter and bid for any suitable properties. You will not be offered a property if you have 'bid' for a property you are not eligible for. In this instance you will be 'skipped'.

When will 'choice-based lettings' be introduced?

We are currently aiming for 1 December 2008 as a launch date for the choice-based lettings scheme.

Contact Details

Housing Services
South Derbyshire District Council
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 595953
Fax: 01283 595852
Minicom: 01283 595849
Email: housing@south-derbys.gov.uk  

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