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• Homemove

Council Housing Applications

Apply to be added to the housing list using our Homemove scheme.

We have approximately 3,300 council properties. However, vacancies are limited and we maintain a waiting list. You may register on the Transfer Waiting list if you are a secure Lewes district or Housing Association tenant.

If you are not a social housing tenant, you may register on our list. We give priority to applicants who live within our district, are employed within the district or who have a close relative in our district.

We operate a choice based lettings scheme called Homemove. As well as being used in the Lewes district is also operated in Adur, Arun, Brighton & Hove, Chichester, Hastings, Rother, Wealden and Worthing.

The scheme enables tenants and new housing applicants to bid for the properties they are interested in. With the exception of a few emergency priority cases, we no longer directly allocate properties..

Every two weeks we will advertise properties on the Homemove website and in the Homemove magazine.

Banding

We use a banding scheme to allocate properties. This gives those with the greatest need priority.

The type and size of property allocated depends on the size and make-up of your family. A mutual exchange with another tenant is also possible.

If you require any extra bedrooms you must provide supporting evidence.

People will be placed into one of four priority bands

• Band A is for households with an urgent need to move.
• Band B is for households with a high priority to move.
• Band C is for households with an identified housing need.
• Band D is for households with no other housing need but interested in affordable social housing and Homebuy.

The Allocation Policy shows how we apply the bands. If you do not agree, contact us explaining why you think you should be in a different band.

It is helpful if you point to the criteria in the new band that you believe applies to you. Evidence to back this up is helpful.

 

After registration

Once registered you can make bids for properties you are eligible for. This can be done through the Homemove website, over the phone, by text message or by using the special coupons we will send you.

You can bid for up to three properties in every fortnightly cycle. Each cycle begins when the magazine is published at 9am on Fridays and the bidding deadline will be 4pm on the following Wednesday.

All the bids for the properties are recorded in priority order by band, local connection and time on the register. Once bidding is closed we contact those at the top of the shortlist to offer the property.

You can change or withdraw your bid or refuse any offer. If you need help contact your area housing officer or housing advice officer. They may be able to bid for properties on your behalf.

Successful applications

If you are offered a property, the area housing officer will contact you to arrange a viewing. You can decide to accept or refuse the offer when you view the property, or within 24 hours of viewing.

We can make arrangements if you have any special needs or requirements. We will not write to you if your bid is not successful. We publish feedback about the number of bids we had for each property and what band the successful bidder was in the Homemove magazine.

Acceptance to the housing register is not a guarantee that you will be moved.

Council tenant transfers

To qualify to transfer you will need to be a secure tenant. We will not normally make offers of accommodation to transfer applicants in rent arrears or in breach of any other aspect of their tenancy.

It is also subject to a satisfactory inspection of your home. This is to ensure you have maintained it and no unauthorised alterations have taken place.

If your application is refused, you will be advised in writing within 15 working days explaining why.

Documents

PDF
 Homemove Scheme User Guide - choice based lettings in Sussex (1.19mb)

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