Most people who apply for housing are put forward by the local authority.

Common waiting lists and choice-based letting schemes help people to gain access to every local housing provider through a single source. We take part in these waiting lists and choice-based letting schemes within the local-authority areas we operate in.  Choice-based letting schemes advertise empty properties for people to apply for.

We take part in these schemes on the basis that we let homes according to our, or our client co-operatives’, lettings policies. We can refuse nominations from people put forward by local authorities if they do not meet our conditions (generally, people who do not want to live in a co-operative).

If you apply, you must be at least 18 years old.

We can let very few homes to people who apply to us direct. This is because of the agreements we and our client co-operatives have with local authorities.

Waiting lists and referral agencies

If an agreement with the local authority allows us, or our client co-operative, to decide who to give housing to ourselves, we will set up a waiting list. We will advertise this waiting list as widely as possible.

In advertising our waiting list, and those of our client co-operatives, we will work closely with local referral agencies.

These will include:

• local housing-advice and community-based organisations;
• other housing providers; and
• organisations providing temporary or specialist accommodation.

We will choose referral agencies according to strict conditions which will include them being committed to making sure they provide equal opportunities and easy access to their services for all people needing housing.

We review waiting lists, in each area, every six months and may close or open them depending on the housing available in each category (size).