Choice-based lettings

The way potential customers access social housing is now largely managed through a process called 'choice-based lettings'. This is a way to bring more choice to people looking for social housing across multiple councils and housing providers. Each choice-based lettings scheme may cover a number of council areas. Applicants no longer have to wait for the Council or housing association to find and allocate a home. Instead applicants join the relevant scheme and actively search for a home themselves, either through the scheme's website or publication.

Harrow, Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow or Brent Councils

The LOCATA website helps people find homes of their choice in the West London area.

The scheme is open to those currently living or wishing to move within the boroughs involved. In the past the council would decide where and when people would be offered a home. Now you have the opportunity to choose for yourselves.

To register with LOCATA, applicants need to contact the London Borough of Harrow's Housing Department on 0208 424 7530 or the London Borough of Hillingdon's Housing Department on 01895 250328 or 01895 277779.

Available homes are advertised in a regular free newspaper called LOCATA Home. You may wish to have LOCATA Home sent direct to you. For six months of editions the cost is currently £7.50.

For more information on LOCATA log on to http://www.locata.org

Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe District Councils

The Bucks Home Choice scheme gives you more choice about where you live and when you move in the south Buckinghamshire area. You decide which properties you would like and you can then express your interest in them. There is still a very high demand for properties and Bucks Home Choice does not make more homes available. Therefore, everyone who applies is assessed, given a priority and advised what type of property they are eligible for. Properties are let to those with the highest priority/need.

You will need to register with Bucks Home Choice. For more information on this, click http://www.buckshomechoice.gov.uk/register.aspx

All other councils

Please contact your local council to register for housing services. Click here to see a complete list of councils we work with.