Content
- Introduction
- How do I use Choice Based Lettings?
- Advert icon guide and description
- Frequently asked questions
- Tips for successful bidding
- Partners
- Contact us
Introduction
This is a guide to Oxford City Council's Choice Based Lettings which forms part of the Council's Allocations Scheme. This is a reference guide only - full details of Choice Based Lettings (including restrictions on choice for some applicants such as housing applicants on the Homeless List) are available in the Allocations Scheme.
What is the Allocations Scheme?
The Allocations Scheme is the housing policy the Council uses to prioritise households in housing need for an offer of social housing in Oxford.
The Allocations Scheme seeks to make the best use of the low number of properties owned by the Council and partner Registered Providers of social housing that become available to let each year in Oxford.
More information is in the Allocations Scheme.
What is Choice Based Lettings?
The Council operates Choice Based Lettings to advertise the limited number of properties becoming available to let each year in Oxford for those who are eligible and qualify for inclusion on the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing.
Choice Based Lettings increases the choice available to most housing applicants (with some restrictions such as those on the Homeless List) but it cannot increase the number of properties becoming available each year.
Who can bid for properties?
Anyone included on the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing in Oxford on the:
- General Register List
- Transfer List (for social housing tenants only)
- Homeless List (for households to whom Oxford City Council has accepted a statutory homeless duty living in temporary accommodation provided by the Council)
Where can I see properties advertised?
By visiting the Council's Choice Based Lettings website.
How can I bid for a property?
Online using the Choice Based Lettings website.
There are over 3000 housing applicants on the Housing Register and only around 500 properties are expected to become available to let in Oxford each year.
This means most housing applicants will not successfully bid for a property and receive an offer of housing. The fastest solution for many singles and families is to consider other housing options instead. The Council website provides more details of the different housing options available including how to apply for inclusion on the Housing Register.
How do I use Choice Based Lettings?
1. Apply for inclusion on the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing
Visit our Apply for social housing pages to apply for inclusion on the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing.
If you are assessed as eligible you will be added to the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing and we will give you:
- Your housing application number
- Your housing need priority band
- The size of property you can apply for
2. Searching for available properties
Properties are advertised in a lettings cycle every week on the Choice Based Lettings website.
A lettings cycle is the length of time a property is advertised as available to bid on. The start and end date of a lettings cycle is shown on the website. Lettings cycles currently last for 7 days every week, starting on a Tuesday and ending on a Monday at midnight.
The advert details will include:
- The name of the landlord
- The location and link to a map
- The property size and type
- The rent and other charges
- Other features of the property such as parking, gardens or adaptations
- Whether there are any requirements such as minimum age or an assessed need for sheltered accommodation
- Whether the property has been advertised with preference to a specific household type - such as a household requiring an adapted property
- Whether the property has been advertised with preference to a specific housing list - General Register List, Transfer List or Homeless List
- A picture of the property or a similar property where available
3. Applying for a property or 'bidding'
There is no money involved in a bid. By 'bidding' for a property you are applying for an offer of the property or properties being advertised.
You can only bid for properties where you match what the advert asks for. For example if the advert for a property gives a minimum age. If you try to bid and you are below the minimum age you will not be able to do so. To bid for a property you will need:
- Your housing application reference number
- The date of birth of the main housing applicant for your housing application (for security)
How to bid
On the Choice Based Lettings website you can view all the properties advertised as available during a lettings cycle.
You can also search for specific types of properties.
1. Go to the Choice Based Lettings website.
2. Click 'Login/My Account' and enter your housing application number and your 'memorable date' - normally your date of birth, or your partner's date of birth if they are the main applicant.
3. View the properties that you are eligible to bid for and decide whether you are interested in applying for the property. Check the advert details carefully, including the property type, specification and location.
4. Bidding for a property - If you want to bid for a property, select the 'Apply Now' button on the property advert.
You will see the property details and be asked to confirm your bid. When you confirm your bid, you will be told that your bid has been recorded.
4. What happens when a lettings cycle ends
After a lettings cycle ends, a final shortlist is created listing all the housing applicants who have applied for the property in priority order taking into account their Priority Band, Priority Band Start Date and any other preferences stated on the advert.
An Allocations Officer will check the shortlist and contact the successful applicant and make a written offer of housing following the processes set out in the Allocations Scheme.
The successful housing applicant is given an opportunity to view the property before making a final decision about whether to accept the offer of the property they have bid for.
The person who finishes first on the shortlist will normally be offered the property although this is not always the case. The Council and its Registered Provider partners reserve the right not to offer the property to the person highest on the shortlist if the property offers a better match with the needs of another high priority applicant, the person is not considered suitable for an offer of housing or the property is not considered suitable for their housing requirements. If a housing applicant's circumstances have not been fully verified they may also not be considered for a potential offer.
5. Shortlist results
Information is published about the outcome of each shortlist showing:
- The number of housing applicants that bid for a property.
- The Housing Need Priority Band and Priority Band Start Date of the housing applicant who finished highest on the shortlist (not always the person who was offered the property).
- Whether the Housing Applicant was on the General Register List, Transfer List or Homeless List.
This information is available on the Choice Based Lettings website and it can give you a better idea of how popular a particular property or area is and whether you are likely to successfully bid for a property or should instead consider other housing options.
Advert icon guide and description
The number of bedrooms in the property
Studio.
One bed.
Two bed.
Three bed.
Three bed parlour house.
Four bed.
This property has a garage.
This property has a driveway or other off street parking.
There is no parking at all at this property.
This property is fitted with a personal assistance alarm.
There is controlled entry to this property.
This property has no gas supply.
This property has exclusive use of a garden, and you will be responsible for its maintenance.
The garden at this property is shared with other households.
The garden at this property is shared with a neighbouring household.
This property has no garden.
Pets may be allowed subject to the Landlord's permission.
Pets are not allowed.
Mobility
Ground floor properties with level access or adapted properties are advertised with the 'Mobility Icons'.
Preference is given to households assessed as requiring this type of accommodation.
There is level access into and throughout the property.
This property has wide doorways and the electric switches have been placed to suit a disabled person.
This property has some disabled adaptations. This can include a level access shower, or a stair lift, or a walk-in bath. You should check the further details on the website advert or ask the landlord about the adaptations.
This property has been purpose built or fully adapted for someone who uses a wheelchair indoors and outside.
There is either a lift in this property or there is a communal lift in the block. Please check property details.
The energy efficiency rating of the property (where available).
Tenancy details
Affordable rent (a higher rent than normal social rented properties).
Flexible tenancy for a fixed term. The length of the tenancy is shown on the icon and will usually be between 2 and 5 years. The landlord may extended the tenancy again after this period.
Household symbols
These symbols tell you about the people who can live in the property.
This is the maximum age of the eldest occupant.
This is minimum age of the youngest applicant or household member. If the icon is shown twice on the advert with a different number, the highest number shows the minimum age of the applicant and the lowest number the minimum age of any other household member (for example a child).
Preference will be given to applicants of this age or older.
Sheltered and supported housing
Sheltered housing: for older people who have been assessed as having a support need.
Extra care sheltered housing: for older people who have been assessed as having a need for extra care sheltered housing.
Supported Housing: for people who have been assessed as having a need for extra support.
Bidding restrictions
These symbols tell you about who will be given preference for properties advertised with these icons.
Preference will be given to applicants on the Transfer List.
Preference will be given to applicants on the General Register List.
Preference will be given to applicants on the Homeless List.
Frequently asked questions
When can I bid?
During each lettings cycle you can:
- bid for up to three rented properties in a cycle
- only bid for properties that you are eligible for
- change your bids anytime while the properties are being advertised, unless bids have been placed for you by Oxford City Council.
Which properties can I bid for?
The icons on the adverts show any rules about who is able to bid for a property. Please see the Advert icon guide.
How do I know what size of property I can bid for?
When you register for housing you will be told the smallest and largest size of property you can bid for.
Can I change my bid?
You can login and check your queue position at any time during the lettings cycle. You can also decide whether to withdraw bids you have placed and bid on other properties instead.
Important: you should not withdraw any bids placed by the Council - for example if you are on the Homeless List.
How do I know where I am in the queue?
When you bid for a property, you can find out where you are in the shortlist for that property. This information is available on the website. You then have the option to confirm or withdraw your bid.
Is it better to bid early?
There is no advantage in placing your bid early. If you do bid early, be aware that your position in the queue may change if other people with higher priority bid after you.
How many bids can I make?
You can bid for up to three properties for rent. You can withdraw bids and reuse them up to the end of that period, unless bids have been placed for you by Oxford City Council.
What is a direct match property?
Some properties are offered directly to applicants who have very specific needs outside of Choice Based Lettings. For example highly adapted properties.
What is the minimum age?
For most properties, you have to be 18 to have a tenancy. Properties that have been designated for older people will have age restrictions and these will be shown in the property details.
What does maximum age mean?
A small number of supported housing properties have a maximum age limit (for example, projects for young people). This will be shown in the property advert.
What are disabled adapted properties?
Some homes have been adapted to make them suitable for people with physical disabilities. These properties are usually reserved for applicants where a member of the household has such a need. However, where there is nobody on the housing register with such a need, the property may be offered to the person with highest priority.
Can I take my pet with me?
Some accommodation is not pet friendly and you should not bid if you have told us that you have a large pet or pets unless you can find another home for them. It is the decision of the landlord which pets are accepted.
Tips for successful bidding
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand or want guidance, get in touch.
Check the property adverts in every lettings cycle.
Check your bids and change them if you are not high enough (unless the Council has bid for you).
Be realistic. There are many more people seeking housing in Oxford than properties becoming available to let each year and not all can be housed by the Council and it's partners. Read the feedback tables and use this information to help you decide whether to continue bidding or to pursue other housing options to improve your housing situation instead.
Partners
The Oxford Register for Affordable Housing is a partnership between Oxford City Council and the registered providers listed below:
- A2Dominion
- BPHA
- GreenSquare Group
- Home Group
- Legal and General
- Orbit
- Peabody
- Soha Housing
- Stonewater
- Thames Valley Housing
