Properties available to let by local authorities and housing associations are advertised on local authority choice-based lettings websites.

You cannot apply to Hightown directly - you must contact your local authority.

The process

  • Register with the local authority where you wish to live in order to participate in their choice-based lettings scheme - this is compulsory.
  • Check that you are eligible for the properties you want to bid for for example - that the property is suitable for your family size. Usually you can bid for up to three properties per cycle. Please note - the cycle is the period over which properties are advertised, this is normally one week, but can be a shorter or longer period depending on the local authority, please check their website.
  • Express your interest, once you have seen a property you would like to be considered for - this is known as ‘bidding'.
  • Review the user guides for each choice-based letting scheme to find out more information about how properties are advertised and how to bid - this is usually online.
  • Review how properties in previous adverts were let by looking at the feedback sheets on the choice-based lettings websites.
  • Review the priority of successful bidders (their band or points) and how long they have waited to be housed.
  • Use this information to help decide which properties you might want to bid on (e.g. if houses are going to bidders who have been on the waiting list a very long time, but flats are going to people who have only been on the list a short time, you may decide to bid on flats rather than houses, in order to get a property more quickly).
  • Contact your local authority office or download an application form from the local authority website, or for more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/socialhousing

If you are accepted onto the scheme, your level of priority for housing will be assessed and you will be told which band you are in, or how many points you have.

Your priority will affect your chances of being housed.