News

17 June 2008

Choice Based Lettings Newsletter

Choice Based Lettings Newsletter Issue 1

Choice Based Lettings

Derwentside Homes is committed to providing a clear transparent and simple way of allocating empty properties. To obtain the best possible way of doing this and to maximise the options for our customers, we have been working with several other housing providers across County Durham. Derwentside Homes has also set up a focus group comprising of applicants, tenants and Derwentside District Council Officers to ensure that a fair and transparent allocations policy is implemented.

Durham Key Options

Under Choice Based Lettings we will advertise properties under the ‘Durham Key Options’ scheme, this is the name of the partnership for the County Durham partnership. So far the partnership comprises of:-

Derwentside Homes & Derwentside District Council:
East Durham Homes & Easington District Council:
Dale & Valley Housing & Wear Valley Council:
Sedgefield Borough Council:
City of Durham Council:
Teesdale District Council:

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What is Choice Based Lettings?

Choice Based Lettings is a simple way of letting empty homes where our applicants actively choose where they wish to live rather than us allocating properties from a waiting list. Choice Based Lettings gives you control of expressing your interest in housing by following a simple process of allocating empty properties:

Register

View Adverts

Express Your Interest in Property

Feedback

Are My Points Affected?

No, although Derwentside Homes and other Durham Key Option partners are looking to implement a simpler common allocations policy for all partners, no changes will be made until Choice Based Lettings is adopted.

Will Properties Still Be Allocated To People In The Greatest Need?

Yes members of Durham Key Options including Derwentside Homes will have an allocations policy that stipulates how we process the expressions of interest and who will be allocated a property.


When Will Choice Based Lettings Be Available?

East Durham Homes are currently acting as a pilot for the scheme, we will review their progress and the remaining partners are expected to ‘go live’ during the summer of 2009.


How Will I Be Informed Of Changes?

Derwentside Homes and Durham Key Options will provide regular updates to applicants through our website, newsletters and articles in the local press. Please follow this link to open a copy of the Durham Key Options Newsletter Edition 1.


If you require any further information regarding Choice Based Lettings or the Durham Key Options Scheme please contact our Customer Services Team on 08458 505 600.


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