- Who can apply for properties through Redditch HomeChoice?
You must have been accepted onto Redditch’s Housing Register to be able to apply for either rented or low cost home ownership properties through Redditch HomeChoice. Anyone aged 18 years or over may apply to join the Housing Register.
- How do I apply to join the Housing Register?
You will need to complete an application form. Application forms can be completed by clicking on the link on our homepage or obtained from the One Stop Shop. Click How to Contact Us for contact details and opening hours. If you complete an online application form you will still need to provide us with the required documentation to support your application. We can accept your supporting documentation via the post if you send it to the address listed on our home page (although we cannot accept liability for documents lost in the post). Alternatively you can present this information at the One Stop Shop where a Customer Service Advisor will copy it an return the originals to you.
- What other documents do I need to provide?
To allow us to assess your eligibility for housing we will require some supporting documentation from you. For each adult we require one proof of identification AND two proofs of current residency, one of which must be dated within the 4 weeks of the application being made. If you are living in accommodation other than Redditch Borough Council i.e. Private Rented or Housing Association properties we also require a copy of your tenancy agreement. Documents that can be used may include:
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A recent bank statement showing the address that you are registering from.
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Confirmation of state benefits.
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Certification of employment in HM forces or Navy.
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Driving Licence.
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National Insurance Card.
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Medical Card.
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Passport (needs to be a current and valid passport).
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Marriage Certificate.
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Identity Card issued by EC/EEA member states.
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Letter from Solicitor/Social Worker/Probation Officer/Inland Revenue.
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Life assurance/insurance policies.
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Mortgage Statements.
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UK Residency Permit.
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Divorce/Annulment papers.
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Change of name by Deed Poll papers.
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Utility bill in the person's name for the last quarter.
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Recent wage slips from current employer.
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Letters from Government Officials confirming status of residence in the UK i.e. Home Office.
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Other documentation may be accepted at the discretion of the Council.
For each Child on the application we require a copy of their Birth Certificate and confirmation of Child Benefit.
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What happens if I do not provide the required documents?
Providing that you have properly completed your application form it will be processed but placed on hold until the documents required are received. If your application form is incomplete it will be returned to you. The date applicable to your application will be the later date when all documentation or the fully completed form is received.
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How do I know if I have been accepted onto the Housing Register?
You will receive a letter confirming that you have been accepted onto the Housing Register. This will tell you the band you have been placed in, any points you may have, and the effective date of your application.
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Can you refuse to accept me onto the Housing Register?
There are some people who are not eligible to be included on the Housing Register. These are:
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Certain people who are subject to Immigration Control under the 1996 Asylum and Immigration Act.
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Certain people from abroad who are not subject to immigration control but who are not habitually resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.
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People (including members of their household) who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour that makes them unsuitable to be a tenant.
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People who have any debt outstanding to the Council.
For more detailed information contact our One Stop Shop .
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What are priority Bands?
Your application will be assessed according to your level of housing need and placed in one of 4 bands, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Priority. We will also take into account whether you have a local connection with Redditch and the extent of this and whether you are able to afford to resolve your own housing problems. Within each band applications are placed in date order.
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How long will I stay in the same band?
If your application is placed in the Priority or Gold Band there is a limit on the length of time you can remain in these bands. The length of time awarded will be dependent upon the number of Applicants in the banding and the number of properties available. The length of time awarded will be clearly stated on your confirmation letter. At the end of this time your application will be reviewed. In some cases where suitable properties have come up that you have not bid for, a decision will be taken as to whether your priority should be reduced or the Council should begin to bid on your behalf.
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What do I do if my circumstances change?
It is very important that you tell us of any changes in your circumstances so that we can amend your application. We will tell you if this results in your application moving to a different band or if your points change. If you move up a band the date used will be the date you move into that band. If you move down a band the date used will be the date that applied when you were previously in that band.
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Do I need to renew my application each year?
If you do not express an interest in any properties for a 12 month period then your application will be reviewed and you may be removed from the housing waiting list.
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What if someone in my household has a medical condition?
If someone in your household has a medical condition that would be significantly improved by different housing, you must complete an 'Application for Medical Priority Form' by visiting our One Stop Shop. This may then be considered by the Council’s Medical Advisor, who will put forward a recommendation. You will only be given priority if your present housing is making your condition much worse than if you were living elsewhere. You can continue to choose which properties to express an interest in but must be mindful of your condition and that in some cases it will not be possible to modify the property to meet your needs.
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How often are properties advertised?
Properties available for rent are advertised each week. Properties will be advertised from midnight on a Thursday and you will be able to register your interest in properties up until midnight the following Monday. As soon as we are given formal notice that a property is due to become vacant we will advertise it. For more details click
Step Two-Choosing, part of our step-by-step guide to using the service.
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Where are properties advertised?
Properties are advertised in the following ways:
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- On display boards in the One Stop Shop, Leisure Centres, Sure Start Childrens Centres, Community Centres.
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What information will the property adverts contain?
The adverts will tell you the landlord, location, size, rent and other features of the property. Where available a photograph of the property or a similar house type will be provided and you will be able to access information about the local area and facilities. The advert will also tell you if there are any special requirements that the applicant must meet, such as age requirements, which bands may bid for the property and which will be given priority for the property. It also tells you the number of bedrooms that applicants applying for the property need to be entitled to. If your bedroom entitlement is different to this you will not be able to bid for that property.
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How do I apply for a property?
You can express your interest or bid, as it is also known, in the following ways:
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If I am the first person to Bid for a property does that mean I will be given it?
No, you can bid for properties at any time throughout the cycle. Properties are awarded to the person in the greatest housing need (i.e. in the highest band), who has the highest number of points, and who has been on the housing waiting list for the longest time.
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Will I know how many other people are interested in the same property?
Yes, when you bid for a property you will be told where you are in the queue. This is likely to change frequently due to other people bidding for the same property. Using this information you may decide to withdraw your bid for one property and bid for a different property for which you are higher placed in the queue. You can do this at any time before the closing date.
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How do you decide who is offered a property?
Once the closing date for bids has passed a shortlist of interested applicants is drawn up. The shortlist is in order of eligibility according to the criteria stated in the advert details for that property. The applicant at the top of the list will normally be offered the property. Click
Step Three-Offer for more details.
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If I successfully bid for a rented property, can the landlord refuse to let it to me?
You may not be invited to view the property for the following reasons:
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You owe rent or have other debts to the Council
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You are a Council or Housing Association tenant and legal action has been taken against you because you have broken your tenancy conditions
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You have sufficient resources to solve your own housing problems
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You have not provided the required documentary evidence to support your application by the date given
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Your circumstances have changed and this results in a reduction in your level of priority.
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You have provided incorrect or misleading information, which has resulted in your application being awarded a higher priority than it deserves.
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If I am offered a property, will I be able to view it before making up my mind?
Yes. You will be given an opportunity to view the property and decide whether you would like to accept it.
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How will I know what has happened to the properties advertised?
Information about homes that have been successfully let or purchased through shared ownership is published. We tell you the number of applicants that expressed an interest in each property, the band they were in and the effective date of successful Applicants. To see the results of properties that have been let click
Recent Lets.
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I would like a larger family and am considering having a baby, can I bid for a property larger than my current requirements?
There is currently huge demand for social housing in Redditch and this makes it impossible to allocate you a larger property than you are currently entitled to. You would be entitled to bid for a larger property if you had a baby once it was born but it may take a considerable amount of time (several years) before a larger property becomes available as demand for social housing in the area is so great. If space is likely to be an issue for you then its worth considering alternative housing options before deciding to have a child. You can make an appointment to discuss your options with the Housing Options Team in the Town Hall.
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What if I become homeless?
Households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness will be dealt with by the Housing Options Team. You should contact the One Stop Shop to arrange an interview to discuss your circumstances. We will work with you to try to prevent you becoming homeless and will discuss your housing options with you. If this is unsuccessful you may be offered temporary housing. You may still express an interest in properties through Redditch HomeChoice, providing your application has been accepted on the Housing Register.
- How do I request a review of a decision?
If you disagree with any of the following decisions you can request a review:
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You are not eligible to join the housing register
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You are not eligible for an offer
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Your application has been cancelled other than at your own request
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You think that you have been placed in the wrong band or given the wrong priority date
To request a review you must write to the Housing Options Team within 21 days of the date you are notified of the decision and the reason for it. You may provide additional information in writing that you wish to be taken into account when the review is carried out. You will normally be advised of the outcome of the review within 8 weeks. You may not request a further review.
- I have been placed into the gold or priority band, how long can I stay there?
If your application is placed into the above bands there is a limit on the length of time you can remain in these bands. The length of time awarded will be dependant upon the number of Applicants in the banding and the number of properties available. The length of time you receive will be clearly stated in your confirmation letter. At then end of this time your application will be reviewed. In some cases where suitable properties have come up, which you have failed to bid for, a decision will be taken as to whether your priority should be reduced or the Council should begin to bid on your behalf.
If the Council has deemed it necessary to bid on your behalf and your case has been accepted as Statutory Homeless under the Housing Act 1996, Part VII, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, the following applies:-
'Once 2 properties have been offered to you, which you have declined to accept the Council may consider it's 'duty' discharged under S.193 of the above Act'.