Choice Based Letting schemes
Most of our homes are advertised through Choice Based Letting schemes (CBLs). These are managed by your local authority and you can bid on homes that meet your needs in the area you’d like to live in.
While each CBL scheme is different, they will usually follow this process.
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You complete the online application form.
You provide documents to support your application, including your ID, proof of finances, medical history or evidence or medical conditions, a landlord reference, and the level of any rent arrears.
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Your local authority will assess your application.
Your local authority will will give you a band or point priority. This can depend on a few factors, such as whether you are experiencing homelessness.
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Your local authority will activate your application.
You will be given access to bid on the homes advertised via the CBL scheme’s website. These adverts are usually refreshed each week.
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You find a home to rent.
It’s important to note that depending on your band or point priority, you may only be able to bid for certain homes. The time it takes to find a new home through a CBL scheme can vary depending on a few factors, so unfortunately, we are unable to provide an estimate.
To get started, please click on the locations here to find the Choice Based Letting scheme for your area.
You can also find a rental home on our website, Rightmove, or through a mutual exchange below.
- Blackburn, Burnley, Hydburn, Pendle and Rossendale – B-With-Us
- Preston, Chorley and South Ribble – Select Move
- Lancaster and Morecambe – Ideal Choice Homes
- West Lancashire – West Lancs Homefinder
Ribble Valley
The majority of our homes can be applied for by joining the housing register, which is a list of everyone who wants social housing in Ribble Valley. To join the housing register for Ribble Valley, please complete this form.
Anyone can apply to join the housing register, however, please note that preference is given to applicants with a local connection such as currently living or working in the area, or those over the age of 55 who have family support in the Ribble Valley.
If your household meet the criteria for joining the waiting list, we will write to you confirming your application number and position on the waiting list. You will then be contacted once a property becomes available in your chosen area if you are at the top of the list. If you have any change of circumstances or change your contact details, please get in touch and let us know.
- Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton – Property Pool Plus
- St Helens – Under One Roof
- Warrington – Under One Roof
- Chester and Cheshire West – West Chester Homes
We have Local Lettings Plans in place for some of our new build housing developments in Merseyside and Cheshire West. For more information on the allocation of these homes, you can find these plans listed below.
- Bolton – Homes for Bolton
- Bury – Bury Home Options
- Hattersley, Mottram and Tameside – Help with housing
- Oldham – Oldham Council
- Manchester – Manchester Move
- Rochdale – Rochdale Housing Solutions
- Salford – Homesearch
- Trafford – Homechoice Trafford
- Stockport – Homechoice Stockport
- Cheshire East – Homechoice Cheshire
Our website, Rightmove and mutual exchange
From time to time, we may advertise some of our homes available for rent via our website and Rightmove. In these cases, once you’ve found a home you’re interested in, you’ll need to complete our application form. If you are successful, a member of our Allocations and Lettings Team will be in touch with you to confirm the next steps.
Through a mutual exchange, you can swap your home with another household, whether that’s an Onward customer, or someone from another registered provider. Take a look at our guide to swapping your home for more information.
We're here to help
If you need additional support applying for a home, we’re here to help.