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How To Apply For A Home
I need a council home, what do I do?
You will need to apply for a home, and join the housing register.
How likely is it that I will get a council home?
When you join the housing register, your application will be assessed to see how urgent your need for a home is. You will then placed in one of a number of different bands depending on your need. The people on the highest priority bands have the most chance of getting a home.
It is important to realise that only around 20% of people on the housing register are successful in getting a home. If you are in the lowest band, it is unlikely you will get a home.
How do I join the housing register?
You will need to apply through the choice based letting scheme, called Gateway to Homechoice.
You can fill in an on-line form on the website.
You can also fill in a form using one of our computers at:
- our Greenstead office
- Infopoint in Colchester High Street
If you are not able to use a computer to make your application you can phone 01206 282222 and ask to speak to the Housing Options team. They will be able to give you help and advice.
Gateway To Homechoice
Colchester Borough Council belongs to a regional Choice Based Letting scheme, called Gateway To Homechoice.
What is a Choice Based Letting Scheme?
The Choice Based Letting scheme advertises properties which landlords have available. You will be able to bid on properties which meet your need.
How does the bidding work?
During a bidding cycle, you have the chance to bid on homes. When this closes, the bids for the property are sorted out into priority order - which means that people with the most urgent need for a home go at the top of the list.
A shortlist of the top three people is drawn up. Then a viewing of the property is arranged for the 1st person on the shortlist. If they like the property, they can accept it. If they decide not to, we then move down the list to the next person.
For practical reasons, we often arrange viewings with all three candidates, one after the other, to try and let a property more quickly.
Who belongs to the Choice Based Letting Scheme?
All social housing landlords, including councils and housing associations, within the areas covered by the local authorities below belong to the scheme:
This means you only have to fill in one application form to be considered for both housing association or council properties.
