Priority banding and shortlisting

Priority to receive social housing depends on your circumstances, in accordance with Redditch Borough Council’s Allocations Policy.

How does priority banding and shortlisting work?

There are 6 Band awards with Band 1 being the highest. Applicants in Band 1 are the highest priority and are matched directly to a suitable available home without bidding. Otherwise, applicants can bid for suitable homes that become available, and homes are offered to bidders in order of highest band and then earliest effective date.

Applicants in Band 1 are not subject to bidding but are direct matched to the next available property.

If there are no Band 1 applicants, the property is advertised for applicants from other bands to place a bid against.

The bidding shortlist is ordered by people in the highest Band and then the longest date in that band.

The Council also has nomination rights to other social housing providers who have housing stock in Redditch. When these properties become available they are also offered to Band 1 applicants or are advertised.

Additional priority for key workers

Key workers who would be eligible to join the housing register, such as nurses, social workers, the emergency services, full time carers, members of the armed forces, volunteers, and others as defined as ‘key workers’ by the Government, can have their effective date backdated by 6 months in recognition of their service to the community.

People with disabilities that would exclude them from these roles can also receive this additional priority.

A key worker is someone who at the time of application and at the time of any reviews or offers is:

• Meeting the criteria for armed forces or key workers as defined by the Government
• Volunteering for at least 20 hours a month at a registered charity for at least 6 continuous months
• Caring full time for someone and in receipt of Carers Allowance due to disability or frailty for at least 6 months
• Excluded from the above by a disability and is receiving the support element of Employment Support Allowance or the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance or the Personal Independence Payment.

When to bid

The bidding cycle opens Wednesday midnight through to Monday midnight. Don't forget to check your portal account every Thursday.

When you place a bid you will see where you appear on the shortlist whilst it may not be your final position as that is dependent if other bids are placed after you, but it is good indicator of how long you may be waiting to be rehoused.

If you are struggling to use the system, bids can be automated, talk to us if this is something that would help you.

Housing Solutions team on 01527 534069. Assistance is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

How many tenancies will I be offered?

We know due to the shortage of properties that we may not be able to meet your first housing preferences for the type of housing and /or location that you aspire to live in.

We don't have enough houses for families and you may be offered a low rise flat.

The Council operates a one tenancy offer policy. Any tenancy offers have already taken into account all the information held on file and because of this we believe the property would be reasonable for you and any family members to live in.

If you decline a tenancy offer without an exceptional reason, your banding will be reduced. You have 21 days to request a review of this decision.

All applicants are advised to accept a tenancy offer whilst any review is underway as it guarantees you a home if the review upholds the offer as suitable. Accepting a tenancy offer will not have any bearing on any review outcome.

To request a review please email reviewandcomplaints@redditchbc

The Citizen Advice Bureau can assist in the review process call 0808 278 7890

If I'm first on the short list, will I receive a tenancy offer?

In some situations a property may not be offered to the highest ranked applicant for reasons such as

• If the property doesn't meet your specified health needs
• If you are a transferring Council tenant and don't have an approved property inspection due to neglect or damage caused by you or a household member
• If the property is adapted and you don't need these specific adaptations
• If we have been unable to contact you via telephone, email and letters despite reasonable efforts
• If you have been bypassed for a tenancy offer, you can ask for a review of this decision.

What can I expect from my new home

For Council owned homes -

• We may issue a decoration pack that includes paint and brushes if the décor is in poor condition
• New locks will be fitted to all external doors
• Any rubbish will be cleared from the garden and any over growth cut back to a manageable level. The Council is not responsible for laying turf
• The kitchen work tops and units will be in good working order
• The gas and electric will have been checked for safety.
• You will be issued with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• If the fence is broken and leads on to a public area this will be repaired however the Council doesn't provide fencing between gardens
• The property will be cleaned through out
• If any works are due to completed after you've moved in, we'll let you know

Please note kitchen appliances and floor coverings are not provided. Take a look under the useful links tab for help and advice in setting up your new home.