Below is some information about how the Housing Register works.

Please click on the links below for further information.

If you need any further information or advice, please contact the Housing Assessment Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk.

1.  What is the Housing Register?

The Housing Register is a list of people who wish to be considered for affordable rental units.

2.  How does the Housing Register work?

- The Housing Register is managed by the Council’s Housing Assessment Team.

- The Council will assess your application and give a priority band based on the level of housing need.   

- You will also be given a waiting date (normally the date you apply), which is known as the “effective date”.

- When housing is offered to an applicant, it is normally offered to the household with the highest priority band and the longest effective date.

- For more information on how we assess your priority, please click on the link below, to view our policy document.

- District Allocation Policy (up to Jan 09)
- District Allocation Policy (From Jan 09)

- The Council does not have any houses of its own.  The Council works in partnership with Housing Associations (and after January 2009, with neighbouring Council’s) to help people in housing need access affordable housing.

PLEASE NOTE:  There are a lot of people registered on the list.  There is also a shortage of affordable rental units, so it can take some time to be offered accommodation.

If you have an urgent housing need, you must contact the Housing Assessment Team or the Housing Advisory Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk.

If you would like to look at other housing options, please click on the link below or contact the Housing Advisory Team.

Click here to get information on other housing options. 

3.  What are Housing Associations?

Housing Associations are non profit making organisations that provide housing at affordable cost.  There are many different types of Housing Associations, some specialising in housing for the elderly or disabled, whilst others provide housing for single people and families. 

4.  Who can join the Housing Register? 

If you want to be considered for vacancies, you must join the Housing Register

You can apply to go on the Housing Register if you are:
- Over the age of 16
- Live anywhere in the UK (please note: if you live in the Braintree District  you have a higher priority than people from outside of the district)

You may not be able to apply if:
- If you are subject to immigration control
- If you or a member of your household has a history of anti social behaviour

Your application may be given a lower priority (also known as reduced preference under the following circumstances:
- If you deliberately make your housing situation worse in order to get higher priority
- If you have a proven history of rent arrears
- If you have not kept your existing Housing Association property in a good condition
- If you have received a notice from your existing Housing Association
- If you have been made a non secure tenant by your existing Housing Association 

5.  How to join the Housing Register 

To join the Housing Register, you must complete an application.  Please click on the links below for the application form.

You must complete the application in full and truthfully. 

You will also need to provide supporting evidence to confirm the information supplied in your application.

Please click on the links below to download the appropriate application form.

Housing Register Application Form.pdf
Transfer Application Form.pdf

If you have any problems or require assistance, please telephone Housing Assessment Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk. 

6.  Supporting Evidence for your application

You will need to provide evidence to support your application.  Please click on the link below for further information on the information you will need to provide. 

All documentation will be returned to you at the address stated on your application form.

PLEASE NOTE:  Any incomplete applications or applications without supporting proofs, will not be processed and returned to you at the address stated on your application form.

Click here to download a list of supporting evidence needed for housing applications.

7.  How applications are assessed 

All applications are assessed by the Council’s Housing Assessment Team.

Priority Bands

Applications will be given a priority band.  The priority band relates to the level of housing need.  The higher the band, the higher the level of housing need.

For more information about the priority bands, please click on the links below.

Click here for information on the priority bands - - Banding Guide up to January 09
- Banding Guide from jan 09.pdf

Effective Date

When your application is processed, you will be given a waiting date (normally the date you apply), which is known as the “effective date”. 

8.  What happens if my circumstances change?

- If something changes in your household circumstances, for example, a birth of a new child or someone moving in/out of the home, you must complete a change of circumstances form and return it to the Housing Assessment Team.

- Your application will be re assessed and you may receive a new priority band.

- If you are given a higher priority, you will also receive a new waiting date (effective date).  This will be the date your circumstances changed.

- Please click on the link below to download a change of circumstances form.

Click here to download a change of circumstances form.

9.  I have a medical/welfare need, what should I do?

If you have a medical condition or welfare need which is directly affected by your housing situation, you must contact the Housing Assessment Team.  We will carry out an assessment.

For further details, please telephone the Housing Assessment Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk.

10.  Will I have to re new my application every year?

Yes.

Each year we will write to you, asking that you update your details and confirm that you wish to continue to be registered on the list. 

11.  When am I likely to be offered accommodation?

Offers of accommodation will be made to applicants who are in the highest band and have waited the longest (each application will be given a date which is called the effective date).

There is a real shortage of affordable rental units and it is difficult to give an exact time for waiting.  For an idea of approximate waiting times, please see below:

Band A
(Emergency Cases)
Offers will be made as soon as possible, subject to availability of suitable properties.

Band B
(Priority Cases)
It is hoped that an offer will be made within 1 year, subject to availability of suitable properties.

Band C
(Intermediate Cases)
It is hoped that an offer will be made within 3 years, subject to availability of suitable properties.

Band D (Band E after Jan 09)
(Reduced preference/No housing need cases)
It is unlikely that an offer will be made in the near future.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS ONLY AN APPROXIMATE GUIDE ON WAITING TIMES.  ALL OFFERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF PROPERTIES.  

12.  What size of property can I be considered for?

As part of the assessment of your application, the Council will identify the size of property your household requires.  This will be based on the number of people living in your household.

Please click on the link below for further information on sizes of properties.

Click here for information on the size of properties for households on the Housing Register.

13.  How much choice do I have?

In your application you will be able to tell us where you wish to live and the type of property you would like (for example a house or a flat).

From January 2009, the Council will be operating a new system where you will be able to view available properties and tell us which properties you are interested in.  For more information, please click on the link below.

Click here for information on "Gateway to HomeChoice" - Choice Based Lettings (Jan 09).

14.  Do I have any other housing options?

Yes!

The Housing Register is not a quick solution, simply because of the number of people registered on the list and the shortage of available accommodation.

You may wish to think about alternative housing options, for example:
- renting accommodation from a private landlord;
- shared ownership; or
- if you are an existing Housing Association/Council Tenant, a mutual exchange.  Please see below for more information.

If you require advice on your housing options or have an urgent housing need, please telephone the Housing Advisory Team on 01376 552525 or click on the link below, for further information.

Click here for more information on the Housing Advisory Team service. 

a) Private Renting

It is possible to rent accommodation from a private landlord (a house, flat or even a room in a house). 

Normally you would be expected to give the landlord a deposit.  The deposit amount will be set by the Landlord/Letting Agency.

Subject to your income levels, you may qualify for Housing Benefit, which can help with monthly rental costs.

Below are some suggestions on how to find rented accommodation:

- Local Newspapers

Most of the local papers will place adverts for accommodation on a weekly basis.

- Shop Windows/notice boards.  Some private landlords will advertise in shop windows/notice boards.

- Letting Agencies

- There are many letting agencies that have accommodation to rent.

- You can find details of the letting agencies for your area in the local telephone directory or using an internet search.

- Many agencies tend to charge an administration fee if you decide to rent a property.  Some agencies may not accept Housing Benefit.  We would advise you check the terms and conditions carefully. 

b)  Homebuy (part rent/part buy accommodation)

- Homebuy is a part rent/part buy scheme to help people who cannot afford the full cost of buying a home.

- It is possible to buy from 25% - 75% of a property and pay an affordable rental charge on the balance.

- After one year, it is possible to buy a larger share of the property.  As you purchase a larger share of the property, the rental charge reduces.  In many cases, it is possible to ultimately own the property outright.

This scheme is currently managed by Moat Housing Association.  If you would like more details, please telephone Moat Housing Association or visit the websites listed below:
www.moat.co.uk or www.homebuy.co.uk.

c)  Mutual Exchanges

If you are already a tenant of a Housing Association or Council property, it is possible for you to exchange your home with another Housing Association/Council tenant.

Many people move to new homes in this way.  It can be quicker than waiting for an offer from the Housing Register.

If you wish to consider a mutual exchange, you must contact your Housing Association/Council for more information.

15.  I am already on the Housing Register and I have received a letter asking me to re register - why?  (From Nov 08 - Jan 09)

Soon the Council will be introducing a new system called "Gateway to HomeChoice".

All existing applicants will receive a letter asking them to re register their application.  We need to do this so everyone is on the new system and so we know all details are correct. 

16.  What is "Gateway to HomeChoice"?

The Council will be introducing a new scheme to allocate housing to people in need.  The new system is called "Gateway to HomeChoice".

Below is some information about the new system. If you have any questions, please telephone the Housing Assessment Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk.

When wil the new system begin?

Gateway to HomeChoice will begin in January 2009.
You will receive more information nearer the time.

How will the new system work?

The system works by advertising vacant properties on-line and giving people the opportunity to exercise choice over where they live.

The new scheme will work across north Essex and south Suffolk, in partnership of seven Councils and local Housing Associations.  The seven areas are; Braintree, Colchester, Babergh, Maldon, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal.

The scheme has two main features:

1.  you will be able to view available properties and indicate choice based on housing need entitlement
2.  you will no longer be restricted to one council area

There will be a new policy for the scheme.  The main difference to our existing policy is that we have an additional priority band, which will help to assess applications more easily.

What is the benefit of the new system?

The new system will offer people greater choice and "mobility" throughout each area and across the region.

The result; you will choose where you want to live and be involved in getting the accommodation you prefer.

What happens next?

During November and December all existing applicants/anyone wishing to join the Housing Register will need to re register onto the new system.

The new system will have an on line application.  If anyone has difficulty using a computer or no access to a computer, there will be help by telephone or in the Council Offices.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please telephone the Housing Assessment Team on 01376 552525 or email homechoice@braintree.gov.uk.

PLEASE NOTE: The new system will not begin until January 2009.  Until this time, all offers will continue to be made using current systems.