Welcome to Peterborough City Council's Choice Based Lettings Scheme giving people more choice about where they live in Peterborough.

Each week properties are advertised and anyone who has a current application for housing with Peterborough City Council can express an interest in up to three advertised properties. After the closing date all applicants expressing an interest will be assessed for eligibility and then ranked in order of priority based on housing need. The property will then be offered to the applicant with the highest priority.

Why have a Choice Based Lettings Scheme

• The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has set Choice Based Letting targets for local housing authorities. These are that by 2005, 25% of all authorities will have adopted some form of choice-based letting scheme and that all authorities will offer choice to applicants by 2010
• To provide a system that offers realistic, informed choice for all applicants while continuing to meet housing need including homelessness
• To involve applicants in the process rather than just waiting for a property to be allocated to them
• To achieve settled communities where people live because they have chosen to do so
• To reduce the number of occasions where applicants refuse a property which they have been offered
• To make sure that applicants who are vulnerable can participate in the process and to ensure that they can exercise choice
• To reduce turn around times of vacant properties

Where do I look for a home 

The list of available properties is updated every Tuesday, and can be seen in:

• This website
• The Customer Service Centre at Bayard Place on Broadway in central Peterborough
• Peterborough Evening Telegraph (Tuesday) - Lettings pages
• Housing Offices
• Other agencies that we work closely with. Currently these are St Theresa's, Bridgegate, Timestop, The Drug Action Team, The New Haven, Drinksense, Peterborough Foyer and GLADCA.

How do I express an interest in a property 

Each week look at the advertisements to see if there are any homes available that you would like to live in. Each advert will contain details of the size and type of property.

If you are interested in a particular home that you think you would be eligible for (view eligibility rules), you can express an interest. These expressions of interest are called 'bids', and you can bid by:

• following the online links on this website
• Telephoning Housing Options on 01733 864064 between 9:00am on Tuesdays and 5:00pm on Fridays
• Sending a text message to 07920 16 04 35 between 9:00am on Tuesdays and 5:00pm on Fridays. Your text should start with the edition/advert reference number followed by a #. Then your application number followed by a #. Then the property details. For example, 0448#10912#lowick gardens. N.B. This number is for bids only. Any other information will be disregarded.
• In person at the Customer Service Centre at Bayard Place on Broadway

To express an interest or bid for a property you will need to know the edition/advert reference number where you have seen the property advertised, the property details and your registration number for housing.

How are homes let 

The day after the closing date for expressions of interest, all applicants are checked to make sure they are eligible for the type of property they have bid for. (view eligibility rules). All eligible bidders are then assessed for priority. Those applicants with the greatest priority will be contacted within 3 days of the edition closing date and invited to view the property on a specified date. The successful applicant will then formally be offered the property.

Informing you of the results 

Each month we publish the results of previous editions on this website, providing the following information:

• The property details
• The priority band the successful applicant was in (view the Banding System)
• How many expressions of interest were received for each property
• How long the successful applicant had been registered for housing

View the history pages

Questions and Answers  

What is an edition?
An edition is a collection of properties that we advertise each week on the website. The editions run from Tuesday to Sunday every week.

Can anyone bid for a property?
As long as you are registered on the Housing or Transfer registers you can bid. Just look out for advertised properties and express your interest. Remember you can bid for up to three properties from each edition.

Can I choose any home I like?
You can express an interest in any home you like. However, you will usually only be considered for homes that are suitable for your needs. (view eligibility rules)

What if I bid for a property and don't hear anything?
If you haven't heard anything from us within 5 days of the closing date please assume another applicant has been offered that home. Remember you can bid for up to three properties in each edition.

Will I stay on the Housing Register once I have my new home?
No, your application will be removed from the Housing Register once you have your new home.

Can I get more information?
Yes, of course. For more information you can visit the Customer Service Centre at Bayard Place on Broadway in central Peterborough, telephone on 864064 or e-mail housingoptions@peterborough.gov.uk