Choice-based lettings 

Choice-Based Lettings (CBL) replaces the traditional way of allocating housing under which housing associations matched applicants on the waiting list to available vacancies.

CBL now allows anyone currently on the housing register, looking for affordable rented accommodation (and existing tenants seeking a move) to apply for available properties which are advertised widely (eg in the local newspaper or on a website).

Applicants can see the full range of available properties and can bid (ie. apply) for any home to which they are interested in (however, a single person would not be eligible for a three-bedroom house). The successful bidder is the one with the highest priority under the scheme.  Local authorities also provide feedback which helps applicants to assess their chances of success in future applications.