Watford Borough Council

Applicants on the housing register are prioritised using a banding scheme. Everybody on the housing register has their housing circumstances assessed and is placed in one of five bands (A-E). Band "A" is for applicants in the greatest housing need.  Band "E" is for applicants needing the least help with housing. Within each band applications are prioiritised in date order and priority is given to the applicant registered longest within that band.

The Housing Nominations Policy April 2009, explains in full how applications are assessed and prioritised.

Watford Borough Council is part of Herts Choice Homes (HCH), a sub regional Choice Based Lettings (CBL) scheme. HCH is made up of five Local Authorities which include Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City & District Council, Three Rivers District Council, Watford Borough Council and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

To find out which council you need to contact with regard to housing, please visit 'which district or borough council covers me?'.

Every two weeks any available properties are advertised on the HCH website www.hertschoicehomes.org.uk and in the HCH magazine. If you are on the housing register you can search for any properties in areas you wish to consider. When you find a property you like you should express an interest in it by making a 'bid'. There is no money involved though!

Bids for properties can be made in several ways: online, by telephone,by text message,by postal coupon or in person at a council office.

The property is allocated to the bidder in the highest band who has been in that band the longest.

We will only contact the highest bidder. Feedback is published on the website and in the following magazine. Unsuccessful bidders can find out the priority of the successful bidder and how many other people bid for that property.

Choice Based Lettings does not increase the number of affordable homes for rent, but aims to give you more choice about where you live.

Unfortunately, the demand for housing in Watford is far greater than the supply. This means the majority of people on the housing register will never be nominated to a housing association property and should consider other housing options.

Further information can be found by tel: 01923 226400 or using the links below:

• Applying to the housing register
• Herts Choice Homes housing options