Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Choice Based Lettings FAQ

CBL is Choice Based Lettings

What is Choice Based Lettings?
Choice Based Lettings gives people more choice about where they live.  Rather than the council allocating properties, the choice based lettings scheme allows tenants and new housing applicants to bid for the properties they are interested in.

What is Compass?
Compass is the name of the Tees Valley Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings scheme

How do I apply?
To apply to join the housing register you need to complete an application form.
You can contact Tristar on 01642 527961 and ask for an application form.
You can visit in person to Tristar Homes at Stratford House, 11-12 Ramsgate, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1BS

Who can apply to join CBL?
Anyone who has been accepted onto the common housing register can take part in the scheme.  You only need to apply once to express your interest or 'bid' on suitable vacancies across all the local authority areas in the Tees Valley.

What is a band?
A band is a way of describing the priority group in which you have been placed. The band you are placed in depends on your level of housing need.  

How do you decide who gets the highest priority?
The Tees Valley common allocation policy sets out who is eligible to join the Housing Register and how priority is decided.

Will I receive support to help me bid for properties?
Yes.  Our staff will help guide you through the scheme until you are familiar with bidding for properties yourself.  If you are particularly vulnerable and are unable to access your housing office, property shop or the website, the system will automatically place bids on suitable properties on your behalf.  We will talk to you about this first so we are clear about which areas you will consider.

How are properties advertised?
Properties are advertised weekly at the partners' housing offices and property shops; through the Compass newsletter and on the website.  

Will you advertise all your properties?
The majority of properties will be advertised on the scheme.

Will you advertise properties for people with disabilities?
Yes.  This is to ensure that applicants assessed as needing this type of accommodation are given the widest possible choice of accommodation.  

What information will be included in the adverts?
We aim to ensure that the descriptions on our adverts are as accurate as possible.  The adverts will include the following information:
Location of property
Property type e.g. house, bungalow, flat
Number of bedrooms
Weekly rent and other charges
Name of landlord
Details of adaptations (where applicable)
Details if the property is part of a sheltered scheme
Who is eligible to bid for the property
Marketing information about local amenities, such as schools, bus routes.
Photograph

How do I bid for properties?
Online through this website www.compasscbl.org.uk
By telephoning the automated telephone line on 0845 230 4124
By texting 07781 486 813
By visiting or telephoning your housing options centre or housing office
By completing and returning a bidding coupon
By e mailing the partner organisation to which you have applied
Automatic bids will be placed for those assessed as particularly vulnerable.

Can I bid for properties outside my local authority area?
Yes.  However there is a local connection rule, which generally means that local people will get priority for a property over people living outside of the local authority area.  Please click common allocation policy to see full details of how we assess local connection.

Will I be offered the property if I am the first person to place a bid?
Not necessarily.  The time of your bid has no bearing on whether or not you are offered the property.  

How many bids can I place?
You can place up to 3 bids per advertising cycle which lasts for a week and you will be told of your position when you place the bid.  

Will I be told if my bid is unsuccessful?
If you try to bid on a property that does not suit your needs, you will be told that you are not eligible to bid for it.  We will contact you if your bid is successful and you qualify for the offer of the property.

What if I am successful in qualifying for more than one property?
You will be contacted and asked to make a decision about which property you want to accept. The property you refuse will be offered to the next qualifying person on the shortlist.

Can I view the property I am offered, before deciding to accept it?
Yes.  We would encourage you to view the property before making your decision.

How will I find out about which properties have been let?
You can see how properties in previous bidding cycles were let on the Compass website.

What if I disagree with a decision you have made about my application?
You have a right to request a review if you are unhappy about a decision we have made.