Choice Based Lettings (CBL)

What is CBL?

CBL is a way of allocating housing through choice, giving you a greater say over where you live. The government expects 100% of councils to have a CBL system by 2010.

How does it work?

an empty property is advertised
eligible applicants apply for a property
when the advertising period is complete shortlists are created for those who have applied
the successful applicant is selected and a provisional offer is made, subject to references and/or a Needs Assessment for sheltered properties
unsuccessful applicants can find out why they were unsuccessful

How will CBL help?

Give you a real choice about where you live by allowing you to apply for empty properties
Show your position in the queue. This means you can confirm your request or search for other properties where you may be at, or near, the top of the list
Allow you to see what housing there is to rent, its location and how many are expressing an interest in each property
Give you useful feedback on how close to being successful you have been in getting your choice of property
Avoid risk of personal bias and knowledge preventing you from being overlooked
Makes the whole process of allocating properties more transparent
Provides better quality of information about the properties that are advertised

What CBL can't do?

CBL can't

Make more properties available
Create more 4 and 5 bedroom houses for example
Change the location of the available housing stock

How do I qualify for CBL?

First of all you need to be on the Housing Register so that when you see a property advertised you can apply for it. If you are eligible for the property your application will be accepted otherwise it will be rejected. Applicants on the council's Housing Register are placed in a band which determines their priority ; the higher the band the higher the priority. This means that if two or more people choose the same property the successful applicant will be the one with the highest band. If two or more people are in the same band the deciding factors will be waiting time and whether you have a local connection to Cherwell District.

Who is eligible to apply?

All active applicants on the Housing Register will automatically be in the CBL scheme. If your application is suspended because the Council are waiting for information from you, or because of rent arrears or some other reason you will not be able to apply for a property.

How do I find out about empty properties?

Properties are advertised

On the dedicated website www.oxfordshirehomechoice.org.uk
In the fortnightly CBL Property Newsletter - this is produced every two weeks.

Where can I find a Property Newsletter?

Charter's Offices in Hindle House, Adderbury or George Street, Banbury
Cherwell District Council's offices at Bodicote, Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury town centre offices
Local libraries
Doctor's surgeries
Any local Citizens Advice Bureau

How often are properties advertised?

Properties are advertised every two weeks. The advertising period starts on a Wednesday and finishes at midnight on Tuesday two weeks later. This may vary to allow for holiday periods such as Christmas.

How many times can I apply for a property?

You will be able to make up to three choices during the advertising period. You can withdraw or change your choices as many times as you want whilst the property is being advertised but you can't have more than three choices against properties at any one time.

What happens next?

At the end of the advertising period no more applications for properties are accepted. Shortlists are created and a provisional offer will be made to the successful applicant. This is normally to the person at the top of the list.

How do I apply for a property?

If you want to apply for a CBL property you will need :

Your Housing Register number
Your date of birth
The reference number of the property or properties you are interested in if applying by phone or text.

How do I apply using the website?

Go to the website www.oxfordshirehomechoice.org.uk
Click on Cherwell District Council
Click on Login / my account
Enter your housing register reference and date of birth
Follow the onscreen instructions

How do I apply by phone?

Phone 0800 027 7889
Follow the automated instructions

How do I apply by text?

Start a new text message
Type in your Housing Register reference (space) date of birth (space) first property reference (space) followed by second and third property references if applicable
Send to 07781 486985

Please note dates of birth should be typed in the following format dd/mm/yyyy.

How do I find out more?

You can contact the Lettings Team here at Charter on 0845 009 2500 for general advice and information on CBL.

You can also contact Cherwell District Council directly on 01295 221809.