Frequently Asked Questions

Not everyone can join the housing register. You'll only be accepted if:

• you're eligible within the meaning of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996
• you have a local connection* to the borough through living in west Norfolk for three out of the last five years, or have close family living in west Norfolk for more than five years
• your annual earned income, savings and equity in any property total less than one third of the average suitable price in west Norfolk (unless there is an overwhelming welfare need)

*The Homechoice team may consider some other groups to have a local connection. For example, serving and former members of the armed forces who've been discharged within the last five years.

For further information about any of the above, and the policies governing the scheme, please view their full allocation policy HERE.

Tips from the team at West Norfolk Homechoice...

Before you start you’ll need to be sure you’ve got everything you need. As part of the application you will be asked for:

• National Insurance Numbers for anyone over 16
• all addresses you’ve lived at during the last six years (including postcodes), and the name and contact details for the landlord of the address(es) (if applicable)*

*If you were ‘no fixed abode’ at any time, you will need to provide a care of address where you could have been contacted.

You’ll also need to upload evidence that proves your circumstances, such as:

• proof of identity for all household members
• proof of household income
• proof of the addresses you’ve lived at during the last six years

If you’re unable to upload this evidence when you make your application, you can return later to provide this. It is important to note that the Council will not be able to assess your application until all supporting documents are received.

Good Luck with your application   

The team at Homechoice recommend that you take between 30 - 60 minutes to complete their form - that is providing you have all the information to hand. 

Check out the FAQ giving you tips on what information you will need.

Sure you can.  The Homechoice team know that we all have busy lifestyles and so they just recommend to save the form for later. To do so, just complete the form as far as a page that gives you the option to 'finish later'. 

If you select ‘finish later’, the Homechoice team will give you a user ID and password. You’ll need these details to log back in to complete your form at a later date.

They will only save your form for ten days. If you don’t log in and complete your application within this time frame, it will be deleted and you’ll have to start again.  

Just a heads up the Homechoice form can ‘time out’ if the application is taking a little longer than usual. If you don’t save your application form, your information will be lost and you won’t be able to begin a new application for 10 days. If your application is taking a long time, the Homechoice team recommend you select the ‘finish later’ button to ensure your details are saved.

Once you've started an application you'll be able to log in to your account and manage your application. Once logged in, you'll be able to:

• finish a form you've already started
• complete a change of circumstances if any of your household's details have changed
• upload additional documentation/photos to support your application

In order to log in to maintain your application you'll need your:

• user ID number
• password
• security question
• security answer

When you make any amendments or provide any additional supporting documents, this will temporarily suspend your application. This allows the Homechoice team time to assess your information. Assessments are carried out as soon as possible, and are prioritised in date order.

The Homechoice team only be able to process your application when you’ve provided all the supporting documents they have asked for. Once they have everything they need, it can take four to six weeks to hear from them.

If you're accepted onto the register, the Homechoice team write to you and give you a reference number. Please keep hold of this, you'll need this to bid on available properties. The Homechoice team will put you in one of three bands; low, medium or high. The letter will also confirm which band you're in.

The Homechoice team have stated that if you make an application and they decide not to include you on the register, you'll be informed of the reasons. You'll be advised of your right to have the decision reviewed.

The HomeChoice bidding cycle is the period during which available properties are advertised and tenants can express their interest by placing bids on the properties they wish to rent. 

This cycle typically follows a weekly schedule, where properties are listed at the beginning of the cycle, and tenants have a set number of days to place their bids. After the bidding period ends, the bids are reviewed and the properties are allocated based on the selection criteria.

 

West Norfolk Homechoice Bidding Cycle runs during the following times: 

Start : 00:01 Wednesdays

End : 12:00 Noon Mondays

You're no longer able to view properties on a Tuesday.

 

The Homechoice team have create a page with all the information.  If you CLICK HERE

You can call the Homechoice team via the Councils main switchboard 01553 616200 or start a live chat with a customer advisor if you CLICK HERE. once you click on the link look out for the start a live chat tab, click it and away you go!

CLICK HERE to  be directed to the Homechoice page

Once the Homechoice form is completed in full and relevant supporting evidence is provided, the Homechoice Team will assess the applications and band the applicant based on their priority need.  An emergency priority refers to witness protection cases, hospital discharge or a combination of high band factors.

Once the homechoice form is completed in full and relevant supporting evidence is provided, the Homechoice Team will assess the applications and band the applicant based on their priority need.  In this case High Band refers to Homeless through no fault, overcrowded (need more than 2 more bedrooms), under occupied (2 or more bedrooms than required), severe medical need, extreme hardship, severe disrepair or insanitary conditions.

 

Once the Homechoice form is completed in full and relevant supporting evidence is provided, the Homechoice Team will assess the applications and band the applicant based on their priority need. In this case Medium Band refers to Homeless, overcrowded (need 1 more bedroom), under occupation (one or more bedrooms than required), medium medical priority, have a child under 12 on a first floor dwelling or above, or have a child under 12 with no garden or yard, share facilities.

Once the Homechoice form is completed in full and relevant supporting evidence is provided, the Homechoice Team will assess the applications and band the applicant based on their priority need. In this case Low Band refers to adequately houses, deliberately worsened housing circumstances, intentionally homeless, homeless but able to financially secure accommodation or servicing in armed forces and living in accommodation provided by the forces.

 

Just CLICK HERE

Not to worry CLICK HERE and you will see the following form to complete - it really is that simple.

The Council make it as easy as possible CLICK HERE and you will see the following online form to complete:

Freebridge would love to help but because West Norfolk Homechoice is an external organisation employed by the Council you will need to contact the Council directly.  Please contact them on 01553 61200 and ask to speak with their Homechoice team or CLICK HERE and click on their Start Live Chat tab.  When you click on "CLICK HERE" look out for the tabs below:

Whilst our Lettings Team are experts in letting out properties, the Homechoice team are the experts in their application process.  To make better use of your time call the Borough Council and ask to speak with the Homechoice team, or reach out to them via the web chat.  Their contact details can be found if you CLICK HERE.

If it is a Freebridge property and is a question specifically about the property yes, we can help.  Email lettings@freebridge.org.uk and the team will answer your questions.

If you have a question about eligibility, nominations or the process please contact the Homechoice team either by calling the Council's main switchboard or start a live chat.  CLICK HERE for the  contact details. They are the best people to advise you and it will save you time in the long run if you contact them directly   

The Freebridge Lettings Team only receive one nomination at a time for each property from the Homechoice Team. If the nomination refuses the property, Freebridge will contact Homechoice and the next highest priority customer for the property will be passed over. 

 

Successful applicants for a Freebridge property are invited for a face-to-face interview to determine whether a tenancy will be granted. A successful bid through Homechoice does not automatically guarantee the offer of a tenancy.

The Freebridge Lettings Team will complete a thorough assessment of the perspective tenant before accepting or refusing the nomination.  Please be assured that this process is Board approved and rigorously followed by the team and a decision to refuse will mean that specific criteria has not been met.