HomeOption

HomeOption
‘Choice Based Lettings'
scheme

This is a completely new way of letting council properties, and many housing association homes.

What is HomeOption?

Applicants on the Council's Housing Register can now search for available council properties (and housing association properties where the Council has 'nomination rights'). Homeseekers choose suitable properties from a list of all the vacant homes and 'express interest' in them.

This has replaced the old system under which applicants had to wait for the Council to offer them a vacant property.

How does it work?

All our vacant homes are advertised in a new fortnightly "freesheet" and on the HomeOption website. For cost efficiency the Council is advertising its vacant properties with Brentwood, Uttlesford, Chelmsford, Broxbourne and East Herts.

Homeseekers can express their interest in up to three properties in any two weekly cycle. Vacant homes will be offered to the homeseekers who have the highest priority bandings and have been waiting longest.

I'm on the Housing Register, what do I need to do?

You need to look at the freesheets, or the HomeOption website, find a suitable property, and put in an "expression of interest".  You can post in a coupon or express an interest by telephone, text, or online. See your HomeOption welcome pack for more details. The pack includes a letter, a user guide and a freesheet. The user guide explains fully how you can find a property and express an interest in it.

Click here if you want to join our Housing Register. The Register is maintained by our Housing Options Section. Our Housing Allocations Scheme sets out the Council's priorities in relation to housing applications, and the procedures to be followed.

Why do we have a choice based lettings scheme?

The Government wants all councils to have choice based lettings schemes by 2010. With HomeOption our homeseekers now have more choice within the accommodation available in Epping Forest District, and the lettings system is more transparent. The fortnightly freesheet includes a page that tells homeseekers about properties that have been let previously under the HomeOption scheme. It shows the priority bandings of the successful tenants, and how many expressions of interest were received. This gives homeseekers a much clearer picture of the demand for properties.

Residents with queries on the HomeOption scheme can contact the Council's Housing Options Section:
• By telephone on 01992 564107
• By email to homeoption@eppingforestdc.gov.uk